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This week I have been conducting interviews with staff at the university, in order to construct a Theory of Change for the Information Commons project. In simple terms, this is a model of the expected outcomes for the project, and the steps that were taken by those involved to achieve those outcomes. The model will be compared with my student data to see which outcomes I have found evidence for, and where inconsistencies lie.

The Information Commons is a beautiful building, if relentlessly modern. I've posted pictures of the outside before, but here's one of the interior, which I used as a probe in the student interviews. I might go round and take some pictures myself soon, as empty out-of-term building means no consent forms. The varying levels of use of the IC have impacted on my project in several ways. I had to conduct my student interviews during my coursework period, as exams were approaching, and getting students to give me a tour of the IC would have been unworkable at its peak use. Still, it put me ahead of the game, which I'm not complaining about that now.

When I first started this project I was more focused on the student part of my project than the staff aspect, but over the last week I've really loved doing the staff interviews and finding out about how the IC was put together. I was astonished to find out that it was in planning back in 1998 when I first came to the university as an undergraduate! My favourite bit is seeing how staff use some of the ideas and interests I've had in the MA in their jobs at senior levels. The opportunity to get involved in projects like the IC is something I'd love, and it's made me even more enthusiastic about a career in academic libraries. I just need to find a job now!

Note: Photo was taken by Flickr user paolomargari and used here under Creative Commons licence.

Labels: academic libraries, dissertation, jobs, MA

The dissertation is well underway! Spent this week putting together an interview schedule for the interviews I'm hoping to arrange with staff at the university. I'm using an approach called the Theory of Change to look at the creation of the Information Commons, so was pleased to get some valuable feedback from my supervisor on how to structure the interviews to get the right data. Unlike the ethnographic interviews, an approach I used during my PhD, Theory of Change is completely new to me, so it's the bit I'm most nervous about doing!

I also got some good feedback on one of my essays: one looking at Virtual Research Environments and the role of the library. I don't know yet what mark I've got for it, but my head of department contacted me to say she'd really like what I'd written, to ask if she could pass it on to some potentially interested people, and to discuss the possibility of writing it up for publication. Will have to see what comes of this, but it's great feedback, and a great opportunity. We've got a meeting next week to discuss publication ideas. It's this kind of attitude I really like at Sheffield, they seem to be very proactive. In addition, this week I've got a job interview on Wednesday. Should be interesting stuff, will wait and see what happens.

Final good news: my vision problems have been inspected by an ophthalmologist, and apparently the visual distortions I've been having are very likely due to my very dry eyes. I'm awaiting a prescription for some better drops, and in the meantime taking the ones I've got whenever I like. I was pleased to hear that the ophthalmologist was related to a librarian so knew all about the importance of text to our profession! My digestive problems are still ongoing: nothing conclusive learnt from my elimination diet so far, watch this space!

Today's picture comes from Nottingham University campus: I live right nearby and went for a walk to get some library-related shots recently. I always liked the fact there's a whole road named after the library. It sounds like all the libraries should be along this one road, but in fact it's only the original Hallward Library.

Labels: dissertation, jobs, MA