Tag: durham

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Saturday in the Library

C Donlan

Working today, Saturday. It’s a different vibe on a Saturday and today has been busy with children and families. Lots of people have been returning books today as it is the last day of the school holidays. There are no specific events on today but we still have the treasure hunt for ‘lost lambs’ which has been very popular and Easter related colouring in sheets and butterflies to colour in for the display. I’ve been on the main desk on the ground floor today so most of the tasks are issuing, returning and renewing books. Dealing with reservations – either … Continue reading Saturday in the Library

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Books…and so much more

C Donlan

Books are the most important aspect of a Library and without that service, you lose the unique purpose of the space. You also lose the wonder and escapism and the portal to knowledge…and the happiness and contentment that a place filled with books provides. Anyone who is a bit condescending or dismissive about this needs to have a think about it and not be judgemental. A building filled with books has a calming effect as well as being exciting – win win. Public libraries need to provide the free access, both financially and physically, to a library space/building with books … Continue reading Books…and so much more

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Great books available here in the Library

C Donlan

Even though I work in the library, I’m still amazed and pleased at the variety of books that are available especially new ones. My recommendation for everyone is that if you want to read books, popular modern fiction, that have been recently been published, then borrow them from the library. The best way to do it is to reserve them and then they can be sent from different branches as well. I often watch out to see what has come in and usually been already reserved by someone, but then I reserve it and just wait for my turn. I … Continue reading Great books available here in the Library

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Lunar New Year in the Library

C Donlan

On Saturday 10th February there were celebrations across the city in Durham for the Lunar New Year. It is the busiest day of the year for Clayport Library and over 2000 people came into the library on Saturday. The events are held in conjunction with Durham University and Durham Markets and other organisations across the city. It is very well attended and appeals to a wide range of residents and visitors.  It is a good day to work in the Library as you get to interact with everyone. There were craft activities such as lantern making, dragon puppets, and treasure hunts organised by library … Continue reading Lunar New Year in the Library

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January in the Library

C Donlan

I’ve been working quite a lot of shifts in Clayport Library in January, sometimes 3 a week. I do like it, it’s interesting and you see a wide range of people. I’m amazed by how many books some people read and it makes you realise what a good life skill and blessing it is to enjoy reading. I have been hopeless at reading this month and have only finished 2 books, but the good thing about working in the Library is that you see lots of books when they come in especially reserved books and so get tempted to read more.  I’ve been … Continue reading January in the Library

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Life and working

C Donlan

Sometimes life gets in the way of work and sometimes work gets in the way of life. Life is more important so following on from two family bereavements last year, I have made some changes to my work. I finished working at the Cathedral at the end of September after having been there for six months. I enjoyed some of it and other parts were more difficult. It’s definitely an interesting place to work and the location and building are unique. But I don’t think it worked for me, a bit square peg-ish. I did have the opportunity of a … Continue reading Life and working

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Flexibility v familiarity – casual and short term working

C Donlan

There are advantages and disadvantages to casual and short term contract working. I’m not sure I would like it at all if it wasn’t for two factors – one, that I am nearer the end of my career/working life than the beginning and the other, that I have some financial security so I don’t need to work full time or a set number of hours a month. The other factor is that this is a means to an end i.e. supporting the ‘master plan’ . Experience is a help and a hindrance – if the casual work is in a … Continue reading Flexibility v familiarity – casual and short term working

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All change…again – new jobs – Cathedral, Library, University.

C Donlan

At the end of March, I changed jobs again.  It’s all part of the “master plan” about having more flexibility, less responsibility and working locally.  The “less responsibility” criteria is much more complicated than I expected, for different reasons than I had anticipated, so I’ll leave that to one side for now.   I had been working at Newcastle University Library from November 2021 and I enjoyed the job.  It was in my comfort zone definitely as I’ve lots of experience working in an academic library but now, we are settled living in Durham, I was looking for jobs based in … Continue reading All change…again – new jobs – Cathedral, Library, University.