This Friday is my last day at the special Government library where I work. My main role for 2 years has been a combination of conducting client (end user) training and reference duties, but I also spent 6 months selecting and indexing journal articles for an in-house database.

I've had such a wonderful time - I've learnt so much and gained confidence in my skills in several new areas. I'll be sad to leave this unique library and my first-rate colleagues, but I'm also looking forward to the next stage of my life.

I'm a bit of a listmaker, and I've been thinking about the things that I will and won't miss about working at this special library.

Things I will miss:

  • Smart, dedicated, friendly colleagues
  • Interesting clients
  • Current awareness of events in the news
  • Professional discourse with colleagues
  • Gossip!
  • The pay check
  • Helping people find what they need
  • Teaching people to find what they need themselves
  • Developing customised training material
  • Delivering training to small and large groups
  • Shopping in the city during my lunch break
  • Working in a beautiful heritage building
  • Morning tea!

Things I won't miss:

  • Commuting by train
  • Wearing a lanyard every day
  • End-of-workday exhaustion
  • Human Resources (think of Catbert and you'll get the idea)
  • Lack of recognition of the library's value within the organisation
  • Internet Explorer 6
  • All the footy talk ;)
  • Lotus Notes
  • Pay inequality of librarians compared to other staff
  • Construction work during the day
  • Rostered late nights