Name: Christian West

Position: Team Leader – Technical Services

Qualification:

Masters of Applied Science (Library and Information Management)

Bachelor of Information Management & Systems

Organisation Brimbank Libraries

Previous positions:

Support Consultant, InfoVision Technology

Librarian, Casey-Cardinia Library Corporation

Pie Boy, Waverley Park (but don’t tell anyone, it’s embarrassing)

What’s great about your job?

The best thing about my job is that it is so varied; I catalogue all kinds of items; I do research into future directions of IT in the library; I train staff and patrons. Also, the staff in libraries are always so friendly!

What’s the most fun experience you’ve had at work?

Becoming ‘Thecowkilla’ on RuneScape after finding out that, with my measly skills, all I could do was kill cows (the library held a RuneScape night…it was work, honest!)

Describe a typical day at work.

Check my email and answer any queries regarding statistics or computer issues. Mornings are usually spent in either cataloguing, doing statistics or pulling reports from our ILS. Lunch (very important, I don’t want to waste away). Afternoons depend on the day, some days are research into how other libraries do things (usually due to a project we are instigating such as redesigning our circulation desk or designing a webpage for one of our CALD communities), other days are meetings and yet other days are more cataloguing.

What do you find rewarding and challenging about you job?

Rewards: Good to know that what I say is valued within the organisation and that what I research leads to change for the better.

Challenges: The fact that everyone who finds out I’m a librarian automatically assumes that I know every book in existence and spend my days reading them. I’m an IT nerd, not a reviewer!

What are the personal skills & attributes that you need to do this job?

Good organisational skills, the ability to work with people from all walks of life, patience, the ability to keep yourself motivated and a sense of humour.

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