Mary Davies
Assistant Librarian, Coleraine
Tell us about your favourite library find
I used to look after the Rare Books Room and was amazed at the original Elizabethan proclamations!
Tell us about your typical working day in the library
Answering student queries, delivering subject specific library research classes, ordering books and checking reading lists.
How long have you worked in UU Library Services?
I have worked in the library 29 years on and off! I started in 1995 as a Library Assistant for 10 years, then left for a few years and returned in 2017 as an Information Assistant, Senior Information Assistant and now as an Assistant Librarian.
Karen Fitzsimons
Campus Library Manager, Belfast
How long have you worked in UU Library Services?
I took up employment as a Subject Assistant Librarian for Computing, Engineering, and the Built Environment in April 2019. In March 2024 I was promoted to the appointment of Campus Library Manager at the Belfast Campus.
Tell us about your typical working day in the library
No two days are the same, which I really enjoy as it keeps things interesting. In addition to daily routine tasks, I am responsible for the strategic leadership and management of all front-line support services in the Belfast campus library to support learning, teaching and research.
Being an active member of the Library Leadership Team (LLT), I regularly attend and contribute to various meetings and work collaboratively with the other Campus Library Managers (CLMs) to develop and implement strategic service delivery plans as well as produce new operational procedures and/or guidelines.
I regularly enhance my skills and knowledge by attending training /development sessions and by visiting/consulting with other libraries for benchmarking and service provision ideas.
Tell us about your favourite library find
In my Subject Assistant Librarian role my favourite online resource was O'Reilly Learning, an online platform offering expertly created and innovative content across computing, business and engineering. I trust the students I showed it to loved it as much as me!
The platform is amazingly easy to use, intuitive and provides a diverse selection of content to appeal to all audiences such as eBooks, audiobooks, video content, self-pacing learning courses, case studies and playlists created by leading industry experts.
It allows students and staff to learn about a wide variety of subjects, keep abreast of new innovations and promotes lifelong learning.
Mary Rose Holman
Campus Subject Librarian, Belfast
Tell us about your favourite library find
My favourite library find has come from the move to Belfast Campus. I could spend all day in the treasure trove of the art and architecture collection. The depth and breadth is remarkable, bordering on the extravagant and don't get me started on the journals! Equally extensive, the heaven that is the Vogue archive. Don't tell anyone but I often go up to sniff the pages!
Tell us about your typical working day in the library
Every day begins with a generous dose of coffee, fueling me for whatever lies ahead. My workdays typically fall into three categories:
Teaching Days: Bun up, trusty cardigan on , and prinz-nez perched. These are my favourite, filled with student interactions and teaching. Between classes, I squeeze in student appointments and chip away at my ever-growing email inbox. At the start of semester, it's a non-stop whirlwind, barely leaving room for a coffee refill and a quick dash to M&S.
Meeting and Admin Days: Dominated by meetings and paperwork. I bounce between library and faculty gatherings, attending various committee sessions. Sometimes we're treated to sandwiches and questionable coffee - but I am not fussy and like a Labrador I agree that bonus food is always a win. The rest of the day is spent on office tasks: class prep, ordering materials, and report writing.
Wildcard Days: The Librarian equivalent of House of the Dragon - you never know who is going to be left standing by the end of it. I might start by guilding bewildered students through literature reviews, then off to a faculty meeting, draft a proposal for a new course, then debate the merits of stock rationalization with an academic colleague, which usually ends with one of us shouting 'Dracarys'. By day's end, I emerge triumphant but frazzled from a job that I love.
Regardless of the day type, I always return home ready for a well-deserved glass of something cold and an episode of Murder, She Wrote.
How long have you worked in UU Library Services?
I can't quite believe it but I have worked at Ulster for 20 years! I started out as an Information Assistant at the Jordanstown Library before becoming an evening Assistant Librarian (AL). Then I moved to my first full time AL role with Life and Health Sciences before becoming the Subject Librarian for Computing Engineering and the Built Environment.
Clare Uhomoibhi
Digital Library Systems & Services Manager, Belfast
I encourage all students, to avail of the support our campus librarians offer and to make use of the fantastic library spaces on each campus, now accessible 24/7. Study sessions in the library are a fundamental part of the student experience. I was relieved when my daughter's planned 'all-nighter' in the run up to her recent exams was in her university library!
Tell us about your typical working day in the library
My work varies from day to day and there are differing priorities throughout the academic year. On typical days I will engage with my team members regarding ongoing projects. The summer months are particularly busy when we often undertake essential system maintenance and upgrades in preparation for the new academic year.
As a member of the Library Management Team, I routinely consult with colleagues across the library service. A typical day involves contact with other departments regarding developments of mutual interest; often with team leads in Digital Services and across the Academic Quality and Student Experience portfolio. Such collaboration enables the Library service to adapt to the changing technological landscape, harnessing this to enhance the user experience and streamline processes underpinning our core business of supporting teaching, learning and research.
I often meet with suppliers regarding product roadmaps and liaise with their sales and development teams on product configuration to meet institutional needs. I represent Ulster on the User Intelligence Group tasked with reviewing the framework agreement for Library Management Systems and Associated Services. We helped shape the recently published framework and contributed to the development of the tender evaluation process for member institutions across the UK. My role involves representing the institution on other external bodies such as the CONUL conference organising committee. The Consortium of National and University Libraries, is a consortium of the main research libraries in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. I was delighted to see Belfast host the annual conference for the first time in 2024.
Tell us about your favourite library find
My favourite library 'find' was on behalf of my sister when she was completing her Masters at Ulster a few years ago. I was delighted to introduce her to Kelly Coogan, a member of our Academic Engagement team, who was able to provide valuable specialist support when undertaking a systematic review of research literature.
How long have you worked in UU Library Services?
I joined the library as 'Computing Officer' upon completion of my MSc at Ulster in 1996. I worked on the JISC funded 'electronic libraries' project before taking up post as 'intranet development officer' in an academic library in England.
I returned to Ulster University Library to take up the newly established post of Library Systems Officer and remained in this role for a decade, before taking up the position of Library Systems Support Manager in 2009.
I currently manage the Digital Library Systems & Services team that has recently grown to comprise 4 Analyst Developer roles reflecting the range of work we do in managing the systems and services that underpin core library business and the library user experience.
Sharron Ferguson
Executive Assistant, Belfast
How long have you worked in UU Library Services?
I have been working in the library from May 2024 as an Executive assistant within the Business Support Hub Library Service. The role is largely to provide support to the Library teams within a centralised administrative hub, assisting with many roles such as finance administration, clerical support, project support and marketing activities.
Tell us about your favourite library find
I had just started working for the Library Service and I had to visit the Library stock room. I discovered Journals that my daughter had written about in her first literature that month, the journals dated back to 1850's. I was amazed that they had these books available for students and quite taken aback when I discovered them.
In reflection, the library is such a special place to study, research, reflect and relax for students and staff and I feel that sometimes we don't appreciate the services that Libraries provide both within the University but to Colleges, Schools and towns.
Therese McCloskey
Information Assistant, Coleraine
Above all, my favourite thing about working at the information point is the interaction I get to have with users everyday - from giving an induction class to new students and then seeing those students confidently using the library throughout the year.
Tell us about your favourite library find
Whilst working on a Special Collections project I came across a beautiful first edition copy of the play "Quality Street" by JM Barrie. The play's illustrations gave inspiration to Quality Street chocolates and characters from the play were used in the iconic advertising and packaging.
On further investigation I was surprised to find out that those iconic Quality Street illustrations that we are all so familiar with were drawn for the JM Barrie play by a man from Coleraine, Hugh Thomson.
Tell us about your typical working day in the library
I have worked at Coleraine Campus Library since October 2003.Working at the front line of an information point means there is so much variety in the role that no two days are ever the same. In fact, that's what I love about working in the library. At the front desk I answer enquiries in person, via telephone and online using the Library Chat system. Enquiries can range from basic IT help, guiding users in how to access journals online or tracking down a specific book relevant to their course.
When not answering enquiries I might be ordering stock from other university libraries through the Inter-Library loan system, sometimes this can involve quite a bit of detective work to find that elusive book or journal and it is extremely satisfying when you see it arrive in the library.
I always have an archive project going on too and this is a great way of getting to know the material held in the university, it is amazing what you come across and always fascinating to see old pictures of the library and see how things have changed over the years.
Una McGinley
Information Assistant, Derry~Londonderry
I have worked in the Library since 2006.
There is no typical day - always a new staff/student/visitor query to address.
My favourite Library find is the view across the Foyle from the top floor of the library.
Svetozar Manev
Information Assistant, Derry~Londonderry
Being academically inclined and in the final stages of a PhD in Creative Writing, I am particularly partial towards providing a timely, well-informed, and effective service since I deeply appreciate the importance and impact of library staff for the purpose of successfully completing research projects as well as securing a first-class university degree. As bestselling speculative author Neil Gaiman once stated, 'Google can bring you back 100,000 answers. A librarian can bring you back the right one'.
Tell us about your typical working day in the library
One of the most exciting aspects of working in UU library service is the dynamic work environment, which affords for diverse tasks to be performed during a typical daily working cycle. As part of the user engagement team, my job involves supporting patrons - students and academics alike - in making the best use of the spectrum of services provided by the library, including document delivery, photocopying, document printing and scanning services, and the resource collections.
How long have you worked in UU Library Services?
I have been employed with the UU library service for more than two years, and have been a full-time staff member since June 2024. I started in a part-time position as Information Assistant in October 2021, initially working evenings and weekends.
Tell us about your favourite library find
My favourite library 'find' was, in fact, not my own. While walking home with a library colleague, I mentioned in passing that I am writing an essay investigating, among other things, the association between fantasy author Robert Jordan's Aes Sedai (an all-female order of sorceresses) and traditional fairy lore in Ireland, in which the term 'aes síde' is employed to describe a type of near-immortal supernatural beings.
The next time we were on shift together, my colleague produced a copy of Eleanor Knott and Gerard Murphy's historical study Early Irish Literature (1966), which is held in the special Irish Collection at UU's Derry~Londonderry campus library. In the book, the authors highlight two key points: first, they point out the origins of the name áes síde, meaning 'people of the sídí'; second, Knott and Murphy emphasise the overlap of the áes síde with the 'Túatha Dé Donann, which originally meant the People of the Goddess Donu'.
The key reason why I value this library 'find' so much is the fact that it seamlessly illustrates the contribution library staff can make to a project as well as the wonderful surprises that can occur when delving into a library.
Patrick Keenan
Information Assistant, Derry~Londonderry
Tell us about your favourite library find
I am currently working on a project involving microfilm. We have a collection of microfilm rolls and I have been checking that they have been labelled correctly. I have found rolls of the Derry Journal as early as 1776 to as late as 1861.
Tell us about your typical working day in the library
A typical day in the library is filled with different tasks. From answering queries in person and on the phone at the Information Point and online on Library Chat, to picking up reservations and making them available for borrowers to collect.
Additionally, I create and update Reading lists on Keylinks, provide basic IT support, like WiFi connectivity issues, and facilitate Document Delivery requests of books, chapters and journal articles from other libraries in the UK and Ireland.
How long have you worked in UU Library Services?
I have been working in the UU Library Service for two years, firstly as a Part Time Information Assistant and recently as a Full Time Information Assistant.
Amanda Lyttle
Information Assistant in Digital Content and Research Services, Coleraine
Tell us about your typical working day in the library
I receipt and distribute magazines, journals and periodicals to each campus, administrating and monitoring subscription accounts for Serials. I create online reading lists of books, journals, weblinks, and other resources selected by lecturers, to assist students with direct access to course materials. I also proofread new eBook listings in the library catalogue.
How long have you worked in UU Library Services?
I started working at Ulster University in April 2023 as an Information Assistant in User Engagement at evenings and weekends.
I have been in my current role from June 2024.
Tell us about your favourite library find
I haven't found my "find" yet, but I am interested in books on language history and theory because I'm studying for a BA in Modern Languages.
Jonathan Best
Senior Information Assistant (Content and License Team) Belfast
How long have you worked in UU Library Services?
I have worked with the UU Library service since March 2021. I was previously an Information Assistant and a Senior Information assistant based within the User Engagement Team.
Tell us about your typical working day in the library
I support the library's Document Delivery service. This is a cooperative arrangement among libraries in the UK and Ireland that allows books and other materials from other libraries to be loaned/supplied to our library users.
In this role I support staff at each of the UU campus libraries in processing these requests as well as liaising with other libraries, such as the British Library andother academic libraries, within the UK and Ireland. I also supervise the library scanning service which provides scans of journal articles and book chapters which are made available for teaching purposes.
During my working day, I also support the library's Open Access team. Here I assist Ulster University researchers with Open Access publishing by responding to queries and providing advice as well as approving Open Access requests relating to journal publications.
Tell us about your favourite library find
The library has such a rich varied range of collections it is very difficult to select my 'favourite'. Having an avid interest in history I am particularly fascinated by the library's rare book and special collections such as Henry Davis Collection at Coleraine which includes a page from the Gutenberg Bible.
Equally as a comic book enthusiast the Belfast library has a range of books relating to the art and history of comic books such as 'The comic book: the one essential guide for comic book fans everywhere' which I find fascinating.
Finally, one book which I stumbled across which was a lovely find for me personally was 'After a fashion: a history of the Irish fashion industry' which celebrates the achievements of Irish fashion in the second half of the 20th century. The reason why I found this book intriguing is that it mentions my cousin, who when this book was published in 2000 was a fashion designer based in Paris and my cousin is mentioned as an up-and-coming figure in the world of Irish fashion design. It was quite a surprise for me to see my cousin's name on the blurb on the back of the book one day when I was reshelving it.
Janice McQuilkin
Subject Assistant Librarian (Academic Engagement) Derry~Londonderry
How long have you worked in UU Library Services?
I started at Ulster in 1988 as a part-time Library Assistant (as we were in the olden days). Later that year I became full-time and worked in Inter-campus loans and Interlibrary Loans, among other general library duties.
I did my Masters in Library Science part-time via distance learning from 1994-1997 and got my first professional post in 2000. It was a half-time role, but became full-time in 2002, covering Business and Social Sciences. When the Arts and Social Sciences Faculties merged, I took on the role of AHSS Assistant Librarian at Magee, including Special Collections.
Tell us about your typical working day in the library
Like everyone, there's no "typical" day - it depends on the time of year.
During teaching periods, I might have several classes to develop and deliver to undergrad or postgrad students, covering the range of electronic resources for their subjects and providing digital information literacy training to help them find and evaluate information from key online resources.
I might have one-to-one appointments with students with additional support needs, or phd researchers needing help with creating effective search strategies. I might deliver a Skills workshop for Harvard or OSCOLA referencing styles or respond to online queries about resources. Any of these sessions could be face to face or delivered remotely - whatever suits the Library user.
Out of semester, there’s lots of preparation needed: checking resources for reading lists, ordering new stock, updating the Library Guides, preparing subject classes and updating digital support for students.
I also work on the Special Collections materials, re-organising collections, answering queries (which always take AGES to do) or researching our collections to create small exhibitions of books and other items throughout the year.
Tell us about your favourite library find
The Library is full of wonderful things.
While the vast range of electronic resources are amazingly valuable for students and researchers, they’re not really something to which one can feel ‘attached’, so it is inevitably the older works that hold my attention. For example, . Miller’s 'Illustratio systematis sexualis Linnaei' from 1777 contains beautifully coloured drawings of botanical subjects, and there are many other hidden gems like this.
We have quite a bit on the Magee College history too, so it's always interesting to see what things were like here in the past.
Recently, someone (who left without giving their details), dropped off a bundle of crumpled and stained pages at the Library. After a bit of investigation and a check of the Dictionary of Irish Biography, we realised that it was a ‘lost’ original manuscript of a novel by the Irish writer Seosamh Mac Grianna. A bit of random weirdness for a Wednesday afternoon!