Different libraries

Liverpool Central Library

Phone Box Library, Hatton

I attended a CILIP Mentoring Workshop this week and had the pleasure of meeting librarians from a range of different libraries - school, college, hospital, public.

This reminded me of the kinds of libraries, and librarians, that inspired me to take up librarianship as a career. I read my way through the junior then adult stock collections at my own local public library in Airedale, Castleford, whilst of school age, and attended holiday story times and craft sessions there.

When I decided I wanted to work in a library my dad arranged a visit to the library at Hickson & Welch in Castleford, where I was introduced to the world of patents, chemical information and technical reports.

One of my work experience sessions during my degree at Loughborough University was at Fisons. There I discovered medical journals, indexing for current awareness, and interlibrary loans.

My own career has been based in a Research Council library, working with scientists and engineers.

All these libraries have communities that shape and define the services, and staff that develop and deliver them. And those communities and staff have all played a part in inspiring me to join the profession.