My colleague Sue Grey-Smith will be retiring next year, and I thought it might be a good time to interview her and ask her to share a few insights on our profession. Sue’s worked in a number of different roles within the Library and Information Service at Curtin University of Technology in Perth, including web co-ordinator, and Senior Librarian, Humanities.

The interview was conducted via email.

How long have you been working in libraries?

Fifteen years in all (two as a library officer when I was untrained).

Why did you decide to become a librarian?

I had worked part-time as a library officer in a small country public library, then a few years later decided to go back to do some more study. I had the option of choosing to upgrade my skills in graphic design or in librarianship, but I decided to get a postgraduate qualification in librarianship as I thought I’d have a better chance of getting work in libraries than in graphic design which is very much a young person’s environment I think. Besides, I really enjoy interacting with people, and libraries are a good place for that!

Talk about the work of information workers - such as librarians – being outsourced, has been around for a while now, and recent books like The world is flat and A whole new mind, are suggesting that information technology, by enabling rapid and easy communication, is “flattening” the world, and enabling many jobs to be done by workers in countries like India. So in India we have accountants preparing tax returns on behalf of American companies, radiologists reading CAT scans for American hospitals, lawyers conducting legal research for American law firms, and of course we have all those call centres. Professionals will need to change and adapt, and will need to be able to “do what workers abroad cannot do equally well for much less money”.

The next few years are going to be (already are!) an interesting and challenging time to be a librarian. You’ve always inspired me (yes, really!) by always having great ideas, and always being able to see the bigger picture and coming up with creative and interesting solutions to problems– have you any suggestions for how to stay fresh, engaged and interested?

Well, I think that if we keep our eyes on all the new technologies that are happening every day, and think of how they could be used by our clients, (or explained to our clients) then life as a librarian is sure to be interesting. The key is to remember that most people are not as technically literate as us, so it needs to be promoted in a way that makes it accessible - that’s where libraries can be so helpful! (And CW, you are already doing this - you help me all the time by explaining things to me!!) The other way to make life interesting is to think of ideas that can be done easily and quickly so it can happen without any fuss from management, and to share ideas with others outside the organisation (again, you already do this!)

CW: Well, Sue, I think the lesson here is for library professionals to keep talking to each other and sharing ideas and enthusiasms… And while I’m on this subject, I don’t think I have ever thanked you for your positive attitude and for encouraging me to keep looking… at blogs (and RSS and wikis…). I have learned a lot from you, the most important lesson being the importance of being positive and open to new things. Always looking for ways to achieve things. Your example has made a big difference to my professional practice. Thank you Sue!