My career in libraries… Vicky Robertson 9th November 2016

How it all started…. Always surrounded by books and newspapers – reading News of the World at age 3 and asking awkward questions Infant and primary school - always to be found in corner of mat reading books Secondary school – work experience in local public library Awkward conversations with careers adviser Leaving school – what happened next

After school events A Levels – planned Public Library work (2 years) whilst undertaking BTEC course Plans for after I finished course – where to next?

Next steps – University and beyond Thames Valley University (University of West London) – BA Honours Information Management (Librarianship) – 1992 - 1995 King’s College London – Senior Library Assistant (LAMDA project) for 4 years – 1995 - 1999 St George’s Hospital Medical School Library – Interloans Librarian for 4 years – 1999 - 2003 Further career development – distance learning MSc at the University of Central England - 2001 School of Pharmacy Library – Assistant Librarian (Reader Services) and then Deputy Librarian – 2003 - present

Choosing to Charter and Revalidate Chartership undertaken in 1998 whilst working at King’s. Good support team and mentor Chose to revalidate in 2008 Have revalidated annually since then Became Mentor in 2009 – have mentored 3 candidates so far

Helpful resources CILIP Career Development Group (previously)– Regional Network Candidate Support Officers Owen – “Building your portfolio: the CILIP guide”. 3rd ed. 2015. JISCmail mailing lists – lis-cilip-reval Work colleagues Professional reading i.e. CILIP Update and other professional journals

Why revalidate? Reflective practice – gaps in skills and areas of improvement Career development

CILIP and Revalidation Update from Matthew Wheeler and Juanita Foster-Jones No planned changes for revalidation Obligatory Revalidation scheme shelved CILIP VLE – “Creating a Revalidation Portfolio” video “Revalidating using the CILIP VLE” guide Help and support in the Professional Registration area – course on Revalidation Juanita’s blog posts – How not to do it and It’s a doddle second time around CILIP web site: http://www.cilip.org.uk/cilip/jobs-careers/professional- registration/revalidation In Getting Started Section video shorts and guides

What next for me? Fellowship in future? Further career development – 26 years in libraries Top tip – think outside the box and do not get “tunnel vision”!

Questions?

Contact details v.robertson@ucl.ac.uk Tel No: (0207) 753 5834