Naomi Quartermaine
Course: BA Information and Library Studies and History
Graduated: 2006/07 Academic Year
Destination approx. 6 months after graduation: Senior Library Assistant, Archive and Library, The Random House Group
Background
I have been interested in librarianship since doing work experience at Banbury Public Library while I was at school. Therefore I was aware that I needed the qualifications to be able to work in a management position and progress in the industry from an early age. There are actually very few librarianship courses within the UK, so it didn’t take me long to discover Aberystwyth, and soon learnt of the excellent reputation of the Information and Library Studies department there. During a visit to the university I was attracted to the fact that the lecturers were so friendly - it made me feel right at home.
I specifically chose to come to Aberystwyth because it is such a lovely place to study and has so much to offer students.
Where are you now?
I am now working as the Senior Library Assistant for The Random House Group. I supervise five staff members, catalogue books and deal with enquiries. I also take over the management of the Archive and Library when the manager is absent. Much of what we do involves working with other departments within the publishing house, such as Editorial, Contracts and Royalties. We provide information, books or contracts that enable them to do their jobs.
I really enjoy working with the other departments as I find it very rewarding and satisfying to deal with and resolve problems and be part of the publishing process.
How did you get there?
Just having the degree I took at Aberystwyth made me stand out as not many people have this. The combined degree I took is only available at Aber, so it is very distinctive. My employer knew of Aberystwyth’s reputation and, after I had completed my placement there, they were keen to keep me on. I think the way the course was structured and the range of knowledge covered has, and will continue to, help me in this position. I find things that I learnt on the course have given me the skills needed to be successful at what I do.
I lived on campus for the duration of my degree and therefore tended to socialise mostly on campus as it was so convenient and had a great atmosphere. The great thing about Aber is there are such a variety of social opportunities and you can do as much or as little as you want.
I came to Aber really wanting to do well and to gain all I could from the course. This is exactly what I achieved thanks to the help of the tutors who really supported and encouraged me.
Before coming to Aber, I took part in lots of work experience that was directly related to my degree subject. This meant I had a good practical understanding of the area and made me more determined to succeed when I got here. I worked voluntarily in my school library, became a Casual and then the Saturday Assistant at Banbury Public Library and worked two summers for the Sackler Library at Oxford University.
While at Aber I helped at, and eventually ran one of the local Cubs groups. I really enjoyed this and liked being part of the community. It also enhanced my communication and organisation skills. I was a member of the Fencing Society for a year, improving my co-ordination no end and it’s also a great way to keep fit and meet new people. Plus I worked in two of the University libraries, which was very useful and I would advise anyone doing the course to participate in, as it is good experience and you find out whether academic librarianship is the right path for you.
Where are you going?
Unfortunately where I am now there is little chance of further promotion so in the future I would like to branch out into other sectors in order to further my career. I would like to return to public librarianship at some point and get involved in the creation of the new generation of public libraries.
What advice would you give to a student doing your subject at university now?
Get the most out of your time at Aber, using all the opportunities available. You’ll be surprised when you start working how much you will use the information gained in lectures - even from the modules you thought weren’t going to be useful. Try to balance your time between getting the most out of the academic side and enjoying yourself, which is just as important.