Library Ireland Week 8-13 March 2010: @ Your Library

Where do you Work?
I work as a library assistant in the James Joyce Library in University   College Dublin. I work in the Humanities and Social Sciences section.
 

Did you always want to be a librarian and if not what did you do before? Before working as a library assistant in U.C.D. I worked in the corporate and library sales department in Hodges Figgis book shop on Dawson Street.

Through my work I met librarians and library assistants mostly from public libraries who came in to do their stock buys with us. It was then I decided that I would like to work in a library.

What is your average day like?

I work Monday-Friday. If library users cannot find a book on the shelf they fill out a query docket. First thing in the morning I pick up the query dockets and look for the books. Often they are in the re-shelving area, or they have gone out on loan or they are back on the shelf. I also work at the Information Desk. At the moment I am ordering books recommended by our academic staff.
 

How many people do you work with?

I share an office with three people. I work mostly with my colleagues in Humanities and Social Sciences. Sixteen of us work on this floor which also includes the Business and Law area.
 

What do you enjoy most about the job?

I enjoy working at the Information Desk and helping users face to face. For example I help them access electronic resources like e-journals or databases or help them find material from their reading lists.

There is a good atmosphere around the campus. I enjoy the friendly work environment in the library.
 

 How do you unwind after a hard day?
I do a yoga class once a week in the sports centre on campus which has great rates for students and staff! I love reading and am part of our staff book club which meets once a month. I like walking in Dun Laoghaire and trying out new restaurants in town with my friends.