Comments on: From Specialist to Special

By: Jenny Luca

Jenny Luca — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:45:28 +0000

Good for you Kathryn. Finding balance is the key to sustaining your involvement in the things you are passionate about. I’d love to cut down my hours but unfortunately that is not going to be an option for me anytime soon. Cuddle those kids, ride your bike, and garden while the sun shines. Sounds idyllic really. : )

By: Hoi

Hoi — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 05:21:11 +0000

OMG!!! Welcome (back) to the public library and looking forward to work together with you!!!

By: Hana

Hana — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 01:35:31 +0000

wow Kathryn! Didn’t even know that’s what you had on… being a Mum and a professional sounds hard… and that could be the understatement of the year, but wow. Such a sombre photo you put in there too.

But good on you, yay!

I agree with Andrew Finegan’s comment but if there are ways you can influence the library profession and make a difference without being affiliated with a full-time job, then I say go that route. I am slowly getting to the point of, “my time is valuable, and I am valuable”. Self-Affirmation and all that.

chur chur from Welly, NZ

By: Kate Quinn

Kate Quinn — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 12:53:19 +0000

I had heard the gossip you were leaving (you could just imagine that, right?!) and I just want to send you a big congratulations for making the leap, and choosing to do what is right for you and your family!

By: Gill Westera

Gill Westera — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 06:50:18 +0000

Congrats Kathryn and all the best in your new job. It sounds really exciting.

By: Kathryn Greenhill

Kathryn Greenhill — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 07:55:21 +0000

Thanks very, very much for the well-wishing, and for those on Twitter too.

I don’t think I mentioned that I came to academic libraries via public libraries? I have worked as a Systems Librarian and also ran a Community Information Service, and still keep in contact with some of my public library colleagues … so I’m pretty sure what to expect in publics.

And yes, I know that I can be my own worst enemy with work hours. Someone at work asked me why I didn’t just cut down to two days at Murdoch. I could have, I guess, but I would have found it frustrating to slow down projects I had already been trying so hard to push forward. I think the position needs a lot of energy that I couldn’t give if I was just doing it 2 days a week. There is also the great attraction of going back to publics and rethinking services for a new building that is already earmarked as innovative and educational…

You can be assured that I’ll be reflecting about how I find the changes …

By: Carolyn McDonald

Carolyn McDonald — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 04:54:01 +0000

Hi Kathyrn,

Having also made the move from academic to public recently, I have found it to be very fulfilling, and I’m sure you will too. At least you have worked in the public sector before, so it should be an easy transition.

I have found that I have to continually fight for the freedom I bought in my move to a 9 day fortnight job. It is too easy to focus on what needs to be done in the job or in the profession more broadly, and allow those priorities to overtake my less ‘urgent’ priority to spend time with my parents, my husband and for myself. I have to keep reminding myself why I did it, and force myself to get out the office door and not give in to the not-so-subtle hints that I should give up my free day.

So make sure you do the things you set out to do, and don’t spend all your time on the computer! (Haven’t we had this conversation before? )

Best of luck and I hope the move will give you everything you want.

By: Sue Waters

Sue Waters — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 01:52:50 +0000

Congratulations Kathryn! Excellent news and so exciting.

And off course advice from me who also changed careers to make more time — remember to do exactly that

By: Bobbi Newman

Bobbi Newman — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 20:34:44 +0000

congratulations, it sounds like you’ve made the right choice for your family and you both personally and professionally. May it be more than you hope for.

By: Andrew Finegan

Andrew Finegan — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 02:50:30 +0000

To be perfectly honest, I have always thought that your areas of specialisation have been more suited to the public library sector than the academic library sector. I am sure your passion for innovative technology and experience design will be invaluable in facilitating social inclusion in your new public library role.

Also, on a personal note, whilst I am myself very passionate about public libraries, I have a gut feeling that I need to go out into other sectors in order to pick up valuable skills that I can bring back to the public library sector. Ultimately, it takes this kind of experience from a different library environment to effect a lot of change, and to literally think outside the square of public libraries, and I really believe you’ll be a fresh influence and an important asset to the public library industry.

All the best for your public-library-seachange!