Work experience student, Jemma, making a new friend

This year I had the pleasure of doing work experience not once but twice at The City of Tea Tree Gully Library.

When I did my initial work experience in July, I learned the basics of how the library works including shelving and returning books. I was amazed at the hard work that goes into preparing the books so they are ready for the public to borrow.

Staff were also busy assisting patrons with queries, sorting out IT problems, as well as planning and presenting events so the public can enjoy some fun with friends and family. I even had the chance to be involved in the Animals Anonymous school holiday session and had the opportunity to hold a snake.

It is now December and I am back to do the second half of my placement and I am feeling a great deal more confident. I can work faster and everything is much easier. Most of the tasks that I have done so far are similar to what I have done previously. Some new tasks have been introduced and there will be new events happening later on in the week which should be exciting to do.

Overall, everything is the same as last time; the staff are still hard at work, talking with patrons, sorting out problems, cataloguing and shelving books, etc. Doing work experience here has really boosted my confidence and skills. I now have a good knowledge of what the public like to read, watch, and listen to as well as the sorts of events they like to attend.

Those who are looking for a place to do their work experience, especially those who like reading books, should look no further than the CTTG Library. Doing a placement here is not only great for experiencing what it is like to work in a public library but a great way to get inspiration for other careers to. The shelves are packed with both fiction and non fiction books on history, health, life, science, art and much more.

Have you ever wondered what it was like to work at the City of Tea Tree Gully Library? Recently I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to do just that and I can tell you that I  had an amazing experience full of enjoyment and happiness. I learned everyday life and work skills that I can use not only today but in the future.

Throughout my week at the Library, I worked alongside a hard working team who showed and taught me so many things. I learned how to give good customer service as well as the ins and outs of how a public library functions. I enjoyed very much talking to each of the staff working at the Library. They encouraged, supported me and always gave me positive feedback, especially when I didn’t understand something or didn’t know how to accomplish a specific task. I must say that my communication skills and my confidence have risen upwards, due to the fact that I have been working out of my comfort zone whilst being supported by an intelligent and caring group of people.

In conclusion, I must say that I enjoyed every single minute of my time at the Library and I would definitely recommend the work experience program to those I know. I will take away many new skills as well as having had lots of fun.

Written by: Clara – Work Experience Student @ City of Tea Tree Gully Library

Ever wondered what actually happens behind the scenes at the Tea Tree Gully Library? I know I have, which is just one reason that I chose to do my work experience there.

Work Experience Student Taylor

My experience at the Library has been memorable. I have acquired new skills and spent time with some amazing people. During my time here I have been able to join in on lots of fun activities. My favourites by far would be Storytime and Baby Bounce.

In Baby Bounce, we sang and danced with the little ones and  my favourite song/rhyme was “The Grand Old Duke of York”. Everyone, including the babies and parents, was enjoying themselves. The most memorable part of Baby Bounce was seeing the children having loads of fun!

During Storytime, the theme was farm animals. We read stories like “The Big Sneeze” and “Where’s Woolly”. When the children had completed a craft project they came up to get a sticker from me. It really is inspiring to see the staff get into the stories and songs. It truly gave me a feeling of awe.

I’m going to miss coming to the Library for work experience.  I might even come back next week and start shelving books just for fun…

Written by: Taylor – Work Experience Student @ City of Tea Tree Gully Library

Ever found yourself browsing the web for information on that ‘forgotten’ assignment that’s due tomorrow? Have you searched Google, Yahoo, Bing, and every possible web address spanning to the edge of cyberspace? Perhaps you were looking too far ahead the whole time…

There’s no need to sugarcoat it – in today’s age, the World Wide Web is a powerful tool for anyone who can wield a mouse and keyboard. However, as technology grows – expanding the internet from computers to smart phones and tablets – people begin to forget about the simple things.

Work Experience Student Alex

After spending a week doing work experience at the Tea Tree Gully Library, I’ve come to realize just how relevant books still are. They have yet to ‘fade into obscurity’, and I hope they never do.

After spending time  shelving books, I naturally began to read some of the titles of the big and small clusters of bound pages… and boy did I discover some interesting topics! On one occasion, I found a book dedicated to explaining the genre of Steampunk (don’t know what that is? Check the Library!) – it was complete with plenty of pictures to explain how everything worked. Yet, not even two weeks ago, I was searching the big wide web for things on steampunk… and found only half of what that one book provided!

The next time you’re doing a project on Victorian Arts, or researching information on the oldest lighthouses in South Australia, try looking in the library for the information you seek.

Don’t underestimate one of the oldest forms of communication since the creation of society!

Written by: Alex – Work Experience Student @ City of Tea Tree Gully Library

Libraries are often perceived as being places that are quiet and only for the reading of books. However, I have discovered that this is not really the case, and that libraries are in fact places that are very interesting and where you can have an adventure around every corner. How do I know this you may ask? Well, I recently did my work experience at a place I have admired all my life, the amazing Tea Tree Gully Library.

Work Experience Student Samuel

When I first walked into the Library, I was a little worried at how my time at the Library would be. I was not sure if I was going to be too annoying to the staff or if I would be too slow in doing things or even not do things right. I was so wrong; the staff were all very kind and considerate and I appreciated how everyone took the time to show me how things should be done.

I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to do my work experience at the CTTG Library. The tasks I had the opportunity to be involved in included shelving, working on the Customer Service Desk, assisting in the Chute, Children’s and Youth activities and working at the “Ask Here” desk. In the end I learnt the ropes and was able to do the tasks with very little help.

During my time at the library I was involved in some awesome things and I enjoyed every minute of everyday with the staff. My favourite assigned tasks were working in the Chute and working at the Customer Service Desk serving people. I would love to get a job at the Library in the near future.

Written by: Samuel – Work Experience Student @ City of Tea Tree Gully Library

I have always loved books and reading, so it seemed logical that I do my work experience in a library. From the outside libraries seemed like quiet, relaxing places until I started my placement at the Tea Tree Gully Library. I now know that there are so many jobs to be done in order to keep the library running smoothly.

Work Experience Student Julie

Admittedly, I was a bit nervous before starting work experience, mostly because I didn’t want to be an inconvenience to the staff members. I needn’t have worried because I was welcomed by everyone and I certainly didn’t feel as though I was in the way. All the supervisors and staff members are friendly, supportive and they don’t expect too much of you.

Also, I loved the fact that I was able to be involved in various activities, rather than just observing other people. In just five days I learnt so much. Some of the activities that I was involved in were shelving, returning and checking out items, scanning items in the chute, covering new books with contact, sitting in on an Internet training session and being a part of Story Time, Baby Bounce and Toddler Time.

If you’d like to do your work experience in a pleasant and professional environment, I totally recommend the Tea Tree Gully Library. You are constantly learning great things and you will get a realistic idea of what it is like in the workforce.

Written by Julie – Work Experience Student @ the City of Tea Tree Gully Library