Conflict Shelf

The Law Library is part of the Bodleian and is, therefore, part of legal deposit system, which means it is entitled to claim a copy of every law publication in the British Isles. Previous practice was for my supervisor to head over to the New Bodleian every week and pick out which books our library should have. This has changed and there is now a virtual display. My supervisor can sit in the comfort of her office and choose which books she might like on the computer. This week was the first run and we were supposed to receive 31 books but only received 30. It appears there is a little competition over one book, looking at its current shelf mark:

Change of Roles

Image from arttherapyblog.com

With my contract soon to end at the Law Library, my supervisor and I have decided I should gain some experience of job roles I have had absolutely nothing to do with over the year, namely Academic Services tasks (I work in the Information Resources office).

I was given the task of writing a blog post for the library's Law Bod Blog on how the Kluwer Arbitration website has changed. This was slightly problematic in that I had no idea what it looked like before. I am  eternally grateful to @simonabond for showing me what the website used to look like in 2008, so a comparison could be made and I could start on my blog post. Here is my finished product for all to see: http://lawbod.wordpress.com/2010/08/19/kluwer-arbitration/

What have I let myself in for?

Image from dulemba.blogspot.com

What have I let myself in for? That's what I have been asking myself every day since it dawned on me I'd actually made the decision to complete a full-time Masters in Information and Library Management at unnamed institution, whilst working part-time. I stumbled across the graduate trainee librarian programme at Oxford University and thought "excellent, a year of work ready for when I finish my undergraduate degree". Little did I know that to pursue this career I would need to be in the education system for that little bit longer.

I didn't know whether I wanted to be a librarian when I applied for library school and I still don't. I didn't know what else to do, basically, and all of the other trainees were applying so I thought I should probably do the same. Now the start of term is only just over a month away.

I've started this blog so my progress through library school can be followed, this post reflecting my boundless enthusiasm before even starting the course and towards the end of the degree ... well, who knows. The thing is, I have no boundless enthusiasm. I'm actually dreading this next year. I blame friends and colleagues who are currently completing the degree, friends and colleagues who have already completed the degree, and fellow Twits, all of whom complain about the woes of library school. Thinking about it, I have never heard anyone say anything good about it. I suppose I should make a list of the things I am looking forward to:

1) Writing. A year after completing my English degree I haven't written one jot, besides emails and job application forms, so I am looking forward to using the skills I spent three years perfecting.

2) I will be able to see my family more as unnamed institution is only twenty minutes down the road from them.

Besides that I see myself as having very little money, spending every evening and weekend doing uni work, having no social life, getting very stressed and tired and grumpy. All of which will have dire effects on my personal life. I feel as though I'm going to be like Andy from the Devil Wears Prada who gives up her friends and boyfriend for her career.

I could be wrong though. I might love this year. We shall see.