THE INDIANA JONES OF LIBRARIES
In a libraries career spanning 45 years, Dr Mike Freeman has quite literally seen it all and done it all. The high points for him included sitting on an idyllic tropical beach in Papua New Guinea under coconut trees and talking (via an interpreter) to tribal elders about a new library for their village.
Dr Mike's Viewpoint:
I never dreamt, as a librarian, that I could work overseas, although, unfortunately, the opportunities are somewhat limited nowadays. It all started when Wolverhampton Technical Teachers’ College – where I was the College Librarian – was asked by the Egyptian Government and The British Council to go to the Delta and refurbish completely a decaying College of Agriculture. I accompanied the team for a month to handle the library and audio visual aids side of the refurbishment. It was all very interesting, not least dealing with the cultural differences and the climate.
Once in the British Council’s computer as an ‘available expert’, other projects came along which saw me parachuted (not literally) into developing countries for short durations to advise, usually on Library planning and staff development. I went to Papua New Guinea in 1985 to check progress on a CDG Book Aid project and compile a report for the British Council.
Other international highlights for me included going to Gambia in 1988, and Kenya in 1981, to help plan the new Mombassa Polytechnic Library. Finally ending up ensconced in a DfID project in India between 1989 and 1994. This entailed visiting India with a colleague regularly, an altogether wonderful experience. Although all very hard work – the climate, the travelling and the incessant overload of information, it was professionally stimulating. Plus very fulfilling, in the sense of ‘giving something back’ and helping to sustain libraries and literacy in the developing world. One thing it constantly reminded me of was that librarians exist as a single global community.
If I’ve learned anything looking back over this amazing career, it’s to seize every opportunity for professional development. Whether it’s having a strong involvement in your professional body (I was National Councillor for six years and Honorary International Relations Officer of the Association of Assistant Librarians (AAL) for five years. I also managed to gain the two top professional qualifications in my profession – a Doctorate in Librarianship and Fellowship of the Library Association, now FCLIP. All hard work, but very stimulating professionally and intellectually.
Best bits about working in further education and higher education libraries:
It’s probably the high chance of getting your own Library to run at an early age and to mould it to your own professional model. For any aspiring librarian, I would say enjoy the lively interaction with academic staff and students and play an important part in shaping the life and achievements of the institution you are in.
Any downsides?
There are very few downsides. Working in a small College Library can be professionally isolating at times. The internal bureaucratic battles can be a pain and occasionally the workloads can be overwhelming. But, it is still an absorbing, varied and community focused job that is relatively well paid and still holds some status in the world.