First few days at library school

My lecturers ( @AnneWelsh @RILADS ) have been quite keen in frequently reminding us of the need for doing reflection on this course, so I be trying to keep up with my blog posts over the next year.

So how has been first few days at UCL been, I hear you wonder? Well...with a course of around 31 people, it has been interesting few days meeting so many people from different library backgrounds. Although, there is a vast majority of soon-to-qualified librarians interested in academic libraries, others have mentioned interest in school, special collections, law, medical and music libraries too. As someone who has an interest in East Asian special collections possibility within academic libraries, it was comforting to know that a lot of my course mates were multiple language speakers. In which has been said to be helpful with their careers.

After last week's pretty long induction week, I was seriously ready to get my hands on some materials. I am not sure if I am regretting my eagerness just yet, as the preparatory reading and homework has began on mass during this first teaching week. However, I think it has only just really hit me that I am actually a student again. Compared to my undergrad days where having a social life was possible, I differently feel more mature and prepared this time around. There will be no partying for me! "Well...maybe one... a month", I think slyly while looking to the side. After all, I am sure you will agree, being able to know when you need a break is also important for a being student.  

Masters at UCL

It has been gruelling long wait from December to May but worth it as I finally got a place at University College London on the MA in Library and Information Studies course in May.

Since starting the the 22nd September, I have fully enrolled and completed my induction week on the course. Furthermore, just yesterday, me and my fellow students went on a library excursion to Lambeth Palace Library. Although, it is currently undergoing various refurbishments, the degree to there collection on the history of the Church of England in English History was been extensive and well preserved. It would be great to go back in 2019 (proposed date for refurbishment completion) to see how the library and its staff has grown.

I have been surprised with a few bits of homework but no set reading just as yet. However, I am definitely loooking forward to the rest of the year.

End of the line = On to new things

It is the end of my one-year internship as a Library Graduate Trainee at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. I literally remember it as if it was yesterday when I was led on a tour around the library and the herbarium by the previous graduate trainee, Marc Muller. Fast forward a year, I have spent two days doing the same thing. I am definitely excited for next year's trainees and coming back to Kew to see how they are getting on.

I have definitely grown as a person since being at Kew and achieved a long list of different things since being a Kew. From my projects:

• Completely retro-catalogued approx. 500 journals from Japan, China and South America and sections on Bryophytes and Ferns.
• Approximately 300 newly catalogued books and journals titles.
• Completed updating the master list in Excel for exchange partners.
• Completed updating the bookseller list.
• Completed my conservation and book-binding project to make my first ever journal.
• Completed the Kew Gardens at War project which has garnered 300+ people.
• Survived three shelf shifts for the Gardens Library, Studies Office, Diplomatic and Consular reports and pre-1867 journals.