Education and route in: 

When I left school I went to University and did a very general degree, Social and Public Policy, but still didn’t really know what I wanted to do. I heard about a Masters in Information and Library Management, but was told it was hard course to be accepted onto. That sounded like a challenge to me!   

Viki’s viewpoints:  

My career has been in what most people would probably consider traditional library roles, as I have worked mostly in public libraries. I was a Children’s Librarian first, in two different places. That’s a very rewarding job, especially if you like children. You get to choose children’s books, do storytimes, craft activities and sing-along sessions with groups of children. Sometimes you can do class visits or go out to special community events and fun days, again to read stories, make things or do face painting.  

I worked in a school library too. That was a good job in a different way. I love reading teenage books and when I wasn’t teaching library skills, showing classes how to do effective Internet searching, or how to use a careers library, then I talked to pupils about books they love to read and encouraged them further. I ran reading groups at lunch times or in the evenings.  

My role now is with adults and community groups. I really enjoy it because there is so many ways libraries can help enrich people’s lives. The best thing about my job is the variety. I’m never normally in one place all day. 

Alongside all of these jobs I have been very involved in CILIP, which is the organisation that links professional librarians together. I volunteer with the Career Development Group and we run courses and conferences all over the country. It is very exciting and gives me so many opportunities that I don’t have with my day job. The most important thing I have learned in my career so far is that the more effort you put into your work and career, the more rewarding you find it.