As mentioned a few days ago, my career is being re-launched after spending the last 3 years looking after my son. I have loved many many moments of being home with my son, some moments have been trying, and I am now looking to find some balance with him (Ronan) and unleashing my mind back into the workplace.
On Tuesday I commenced work in Public Libraries, a sector I have never worked in, but have always been interested in investing my time and energies in. I have worked in many other sectors, including Tertiary, a “Joint Use” campus of a Uni, TAFE and High School, a number of special and corporate libraries. I am very interested in enhancing the education and knowledge of local communities and believe public libraries will allow me to assist this improvement.
After two days working in Public Libraries have I noticed any differences or similarities to other sectors?? As I strongly believe it should be easier than what it currently is, to move between sectors. The differences are the wide range of the clients, it’s important to understand that Under 18′s have a number of restrictions on their borrowing and internet uses.
And to me, so far, that is the main difference.
The similarities are MANY !! Borrowing, returns, claims returns, holds, information searching, databases, books, CD’s, DVD’s etc. The audience can be different, in special libraries the transaction with the customer and be MUCH longer, where in Publics and Academics, the transaction is “mostly” shorter.
I’d really love to do further research and assessment on this area. What do you think??
Overall, I’m glad to be back. I think I needed to “come back” / “return” in my own time. It’s taken quite a while. But I felt I needed to give Ronan alot of support and then get my own career back on track.
