Ben Chan is a librarian at the Ministry of Defence with responsibility within his team for electronic collaborative working portals & E-resource delivery, promotion and tailoring of E-resources to the desktop. Additionally, as an Intranet editor, Ben helps ensure that reliable and accurate content is maintained on the Intranet . Ben has a reputation of always giving total commitment and he is also aware how important it is to make sure his achievements are noticed. New entrants and established librarians and information professionals can learn a lot from Ben. Get noticed and get your service noticed.
I grew up both in the UK and California and read psychology at the University of California, Berkeley and Applied Psychology at the University of London, Birkbeck College.
I started as a shelf tidier with Westminster Libraries and rose quickly through the ranks to become one of the youngest senior librarians in the system.
My first post in the UK was with Westminster Libraries where my activities ranged from dressing up as Elmer the Elephant (a children’s book character) to support children’s story telling time that I initiated; coordinating and delivering staff training (on reference interviewing, e-resources and ECDL), organizing talks and developing library services.
Whilst juggling work between two libraries, I qualified at City University on the CILIP accredited Information Systems and Technology Masters and continued to deliver services at Westminster through my work as Information Development Librarian and, concurrently, Customer Services Officer.
CILIP training courses helped me develop professionally and offer a better service, while also providing excellent networking opportunities.
As Information Development Librarian, I was on the ICT Development steering group for Westminster libraries and as lead editor for the library web pages, I migrated the printed periodicals catalogue onto the web.
I love to share my knowledge and experience with the CILIP community. Librarians deliver a vital service that impacts their community and organisation. It is crucial our efforts gain the recognition they deserve and we should strive to raise the profile of the profession at every opportunity.
In May 2005 I joined the Ministry of Defence, a move away from public libraries and evidence of how commitment and involvement in one sector will be recognized in another.
Ben Chan - at a glance
Psychology Degree – Berkeley University
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finds post as Library Assistant at Westminster Public Libraries
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Senior Library Assistant in Westminster Reference Library
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Part time Masters course accredited by CILIP
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First professional post -- Information Development Librarian & Customer Services Officer
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Enrols as Chartership candidate with CILIP
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Maintains professional development: involvement in CILIP Branches and Groups; attends internal and external training days
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Writes article for Update on 24 Hour Reference Services
and
features in Update profile
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Sees job ad in The Gazette and joins MOD as Assistant Librarian for Intranet and E-services
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Active in Aerospace and Defence Librarians Group
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Continues to maintain professional development: speaks at London Branch on raising the profile of the individual and service through innovative initiatives.(you can hear Ben's talk on the London Branch website) gathering good evidence for his Chartership portfolio.
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Spoke at Online, 2006 topic: Setting up a collaborative enquiries management portal using Windows SharePoint services
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The Enquiries Portal (a project initiated by Ben) was shortlisted for an International Information Industry Award – Innovation in Knowledge Management (2006)
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2007 awarded an MBCS
Professional Membership of the British Computer Society
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2008 Ben is elected Fellow of Royal Society of Arts.