My Experiences Working in Libraries and Archives

My Experiences Working in Libraries and Archives - to date

Summer 2008

This is where I first encountered working in a library environment.  I worked as a summer SWASP student at the public library in my hometown of Gambo, Newfoundland and Labrador.  I was responsible for such tasks and duties as book cleaning and organization, reading shelves, checking out books to patrons, making catalog cards for new books and replacing full and damaged cards in some books, answering patron's questions and queries, creating decorations and posters to display in the children's section of the library as well as helping to organize and carry out summer reading programs for children from kindergarten through to grade six.  This is really where my interest in library studies peaked; I thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity to work in the library in the town that I grew up in.  I especially loved creating decorations and posters to give the library a warm and friendly atmosphere for the kids.  I absolutely loved reading picture books to the younger kids and chapter books to the older elementary school aged children.  I just loved watching their facial expressions as I read through the book, making sure to show them the illustrations as I went along.  Children are highly visual; they love to look at the pictures and imagine themselves in the world created by the author of the story.

Winter 2009

I successfully completed a three month MUCEP position in the Preservation Lab at the Queen Elizabeth II Library, Memorial University of Newfoundland.  I was responsible for cleaning books, repairing damaged or torn pages in books and newspapers, encapsulation of documents, and organizing and shelving books that have been repaired (putting them back on the library shelves).  This was a highly beneficial and education MUCEP placement as I learned the techniques used to repair books and periodicals.  It is very important to treat and preserve documents before they reach a stage where they become unsalvageable.

Summer 2009

I worked part-time as a summer student assistant in the Circulation department of the Queen Elizabeth II Library at Memorial University of Newfoundland.  I was responsible for checking out books and reserves to students, professors, and alumni, shelving books alphabetically, reading shelves, aiding students and patrons, checking photo copiers to ensure enough paper is loaded in each print tray, and re-shelving books and periodicals.  This was a great experience!

Summer 2009

I was granted a twelve week Young Canada Works contract for the summer of 2009 at The Rooms Provincial Archives Division.  The Rooms houses the Provincial Museum, Provincial Art Gallery, and The Provincial Archives.  My task was to work on the Guard's Athletic Association collection.  This collection included textual records, framed photographs that were dismounted from their frames and artifacts such as certificates, trophies, and plaques.  I was responsible for arrangement and description work using the online database known as WebGencat, scanning photographs and artifacts, photographing trophies, re-filing correspondence files into new acid-free folders to prevent damage to original records, and creating an administrative history of the organization.  This was such a rewarding and interesting job.

Fall 2009 - Summer 2010

I was once again working at The Rooms Provincial Archives; this time under a ten month contract to work on records in the American Smelting and Refining Company (ASARCO) collection.  This collection includes textual records, maps and diagrams and photographs pertaining to the history of the former Buchans Mining Company in Newfoundland and Labrador.  I was responsible for re-filing correspondence files into new acid-free folders to prevent damage to original records, arrangement and description work using the online database WebGencat, photocopying original photographs, and organizing the collection.  This is a very large collection.

Fall 2010 - Winter 2011

Finishing up work on the ASARCO collection that is mentioned above.  I truly love working in the field of library and archives.

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September 28, 2010