CILIP West Midland Branch Committee:
Webmaster - Roger Fairman
Library Services Development
University of Worcester
Henwick Grove
Worcester
WR2 6AJ
Tel: 01905 855336
Email: r.fairman@worc.ac.uk
Website: Netvibes
I’ve worked in academic libraries since I gained my B.Sc in 1979, back in the computer dark ages when electronic information retrieval meant Dialog & IRS via a green screened teletype terminal connected to an acoustic coupler.
I gained my postgraduate diploma in 1981 and then spent the next 13 years working mainly as a subject specialist in engineering and computer science at what are now the University of Hertfordshire and Southbank University. In 1994 I moved to the University of Worcester (then Worcester College of Higher Education) as Librarian & Information Officer. In response to rapid expansion at Worcester over the past 15 years the library service has seen a number of restructurings, and as a result my role there changing with equal rapidity, which has resulted in an exciting and challenging experience.
My current role involves a full time secondment to a major project, in partnership with the County Council, to build a joint use Library - further details of which can be found at here
Joining the West Midland Branch Committee is my third excursion into the world of professional involvement. Early in my career I served as both Chair and Treasurer of my local division of the Association of Assistant Librarians (now the Career Development Group) and was a member of the London & Home Counties Branch committee. After this I joined the committee of the Aslib Electronics Group where I served until my move to Worcester. I joined the West Midland Branch in 2008
Why do I do This?:
In no particular order (as they say): professional networking, giving something back to the profession, helping fellow professionals, influencing professional debate, time away from the office to think & reflect, meeting new colleagues who often become friends and personal professional development.
Something beyond Work:
As an English Civil War re-enactor I Have an alta ego as a 17th century Royalist which enables me to vent my frustrations by giving those Parliament rebels a good thrashing (historical accuracy permitting!!)
I'm the left hand one of the the two in Burgundy !!