Category: staff

Library Staff profiles

Have you ever wanted to find out more about the people who work at Avery Hill and Stockwell Street Library? Of course you have! We continue our weekly profiles of the various staff you may spot or speak to at our libraries. Find out what they do, both inside and outside of working at the University of Greenwich!
One of our two Academic Subject Librarians for Business, Ros Smith, is in the hot seat this week. She is based at the Stockwell Street Library.
Ros Smith
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED AT THE UNIVERSITY/LIBRARY?
6 months.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ROLE IN THE LIBRARY?
I support staff and students in the Business School.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT WORKING IN THE LIBRARY?
Running training sessions and being on help desks.
WHICH BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY DO YOU FIND MOST INTERESTING?
Business books (of course!) but also the Social Sciences.
WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN GREENWICH TO EAT/HAVE LUNCH?
The Mogul (Indian restaurant) or Greenwich Market.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO OUTSIDE OF WORK?
Theatre, cinema and gigs.
FAVOURITE BOOK, MUSIC AND FILM?
Too hard a question, but here goes! Book – I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith; Music – Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings; Film – Sweet Charity.

WHERE IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU LIKE TO VISIT?
East Africa – to go on safari!
IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY SUPERHUMAN POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Invisibility.
HAVE YOU VISITED THE CUTTY SARK, NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM, ROYAL OBSERVATORY AND QUEEN’S HOUSE?
Only the National Maritime Museum, to my shame.

Library Staff profiles

Have you ever wanted to find out more about the people who work at Avery Hill and Stockwell Street Library? Of course you have! We continue our weekly profiles of the various staff you may spot or speak to at our libraries. Find out what they do, both inside and outside of working at the University of Greenwich!
This week, we profile Karen Richardson, our Academic Subject Librarian for Computing, Mathematical Science and Creative Professions and Digital Arts. She is based at the Stockwell Street Library.
Karen Richardson
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED AT THE UNIVERSITY/LIBRARY?
I believe I’m getting close to my long service award, but can’t remember exactly as I started on short term contracts as a shelver.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ROLE IN THE LIBRARY?
I support students in Computing, Mathematical Science and Creative Professions and Digital Arts, as well as working with my colleagues to make sure the library as a whole runs smooth.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT WORKING IN THE LIBRARY?
The light bulb moment when students suddenly get it all, and seeing them graduate.
WHICH BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY DO YOU FIND MOST INTERESTING?
Always a tricky one, just like what’s your favourite film… Wait! That’s question seven! I think most areas interest me, though I am drawn to the science and maths good reads that try to explain these subjects in simple and fun ways, such as How to Teach Your Dog Quantum Physics by Chad Orzel and How Long is a Piece of String by Robert Eastaway and Jeremy Wyndham.
WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN GREENWICH TO EAT/HAVE LUNCH?
I like the international food stalls in Greenwich Market and Noodle Time. If I’m short on cash, I go to the Student Union bar which also has pool tables!
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO OUTSIDE OF WORK?
Playing board games such Ticket to Ride, Settlers of Catan and Carcassonne (not the family staples such as Monopoly). I also play in a brass band and do gardening when I can.
FAVOURITE BOOK, MUSIC AND FILM?
For books, historical fantasies (there’s a few about libraries), science-fiction and historical ones about World War II celebrating the ingenuity of people – if you think that is an odd mix… so do I! I like a lot of different genres of music so my decision is based on the ones I feel most compelled to sing along to, which seem to be either ABBA, Queen or Annie Lennox. Finally, films – I guess if I am to narrow it down, the Star Trek and Indiana Jones series and comedies with Cary Grant in them.
WHERE IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU LIKE TO VISIT?
Still on my list are Ethiopia, Jordan and Machu Picchu (before an earthquake hits).
IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY SUPERHUMAN POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I would like to fly. You can go from A to B in a straight line and it would make up for being short!
HAVE YOU VISITED THE CUTTY SARK, NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM, ROYAL OBSERVATORY AND QUEEN’S HOUSE?
I have been to the Observatory and the Museum, but not the Cutty Sark or the Queen’s House, though I believe the latter has reopened following refurbishment and I am keen to see the new galleries!

Library Staff Profiles

Have you ever wanted to find out more about the people who work at Avery Hill and Stockwell Street Library? Of course you have! We continue our weekly profiles of the various staff you may spot or speak to at our libraries. Find out what they do, both inside and outside of working at the University of Greenwich!
This week, we talk to Irene Barranco Garcia, the Collaborations, Compliance and Copyright Manager based at the Stockwell Street Library.

Irene Barranco Garcia
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED AT THE UNIVERSITY/LIBRARY?
I started working here in January 2006 as an Academic Librarian. Gosh! That is over 10 years! Time flies when you are having fun.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ROLE IN THE LIBRARY?
I look after students at Partner Institutions, home and overseas, promoting the use of all the information resources that we have in the library, mainly online. If students are aware of the huge range of resources we have, and know how to access them, this will have a huge impact in the quality of their academic work. I am also the Copyright Librarian, too. It sounds fab, doesn’t it?
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT WORKING IN THE LIBRARY?
I enjoy working with students who want to succeed in their studies. They are passionate about knowledge and appreciate all the help we can offer them.
WHICH BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY DO YOU FIND MOST INTERESTING?
Any books about learning and teaching… fascinating!
WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN GREENWICH TO EAT/HAVE LUNCH?
I love the noodle bars around Greenwich, but my current favourite place is Heaps for a bacon and avocado bap. Don’t tell anyone – it is busy enough as it is!
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO OUTSIDE OF WORK?
Shopping, shopping and more shopping. And going to the movies!
FAVOURITE BOOK, MUSIC AND FILM?
That is the most difficult question ever. I am not too knowledgeable about music. I love what I love. I have to say Bon Jovi then. If I have to recommend a book I would say One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, but only if you are going to read it in Spanish. In English, I would recommend The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. One film?! If I have to choose one, I would say Amelie.
WHERE IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU LIKE TO VISIT?
I am dying to go to Japan! Imagine… All that sushi… Cannot wait!
IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY SUPERHUMAN POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Reading minds… That would freak a few people out, wouldn’t it?
HAVE YOU VISITED THE CUTTY SARK, NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM, ROYAL OBSERVATORY AND QUEEN’S HOUSE?
Yes, I am pleased to say I have visited all of them several times. And I would add to the list The Painted Hall, although it is currently closed for an ambitious conservation project. Cannot wait to see it finished!

Library Staff Profiles

Have you ever wanted to find out more about the people who work at Avery Hill and Stockwell Street Library? Of course you have! We continue our weekly profiles of the various staff you may spot or speak to at our libraries. Find out what they do, both inside and outside of working at the University of Greenwich!

This week, we meet Tom Perry, a circulation support assistant at Avery Hill Library:

Tom Perry
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED AT THE UNIVERSITY/LIBRARY?
Almost a year.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ROLE IN THE LIBRARY?
I’m a Circulation Assistant. So, amongst other things, I hunt and gather books for students via item requests and get books to other sites via blue boxes and yellow bags. My role is student-facing too, so I get to show people how to use the catalogues and Library Search. I also help with the Greenwich libraries Twitter account, and run the library Flickr account.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT WORKING IN THE LIBRARY?
The team we’ve got here is really good, a nice group of people to work with; and I really like the site itself – it’s a beautiful place.
WHICH BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY DO YOU FIND MOST INTERESTING?
At the moment, all the books on Photoshop CC.
WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN GREENWICH TO EAT/HAVE LUNCH?
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO OUTSIDE OF WORK?
I do studio and event photography, and collect cameras and lenses.
FAVOURITE BOOK, MUSIC AND FILM?
White Noise by Don Delillo
This World and Bodyby Marion
Double Indemnity
WHERE IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU LIKE TO VISIT?
South Korea. I’ve always liked Korean films and food. Looks like a great place to visit.
IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY SUPERHUMAN POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
The ability to know and completely understand the content of any book I touch.
HAVE YOU VISITED THE CUTTY SARK, NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM, ROYAL OBSERVATORY AND QUEEN’S HOUSE?
Just the Cutty Sark.

Library Staff Profiles

Have you ever wanted to find out more about the people who work at Avery Hill and Stockwell Street Library? Of course you have! Last week we started our weekly profiles of the various staff you may spot or speak to at our libraries. Find out what they do, both inside and outside of working at the University of Greenwich!
This week, we’re profiling one of our library support assistants at the Stockwell Street library, James Chick:
James Chick

HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED AT THE UNIVERSITY/LIBRARY?
Almost 3 years.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ROLE IN THE LIBRARY?
Helping students use library services and helping our librarians provide the library’s service. You may also see me leading a workshop – if you do, I appeal to everyone’s better nature when I ask that heckling be kept to a minimum.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT WORKING IN THE LIBRARY?
Helping students with questions which make me think and that require investigative skills.
WHICH BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY DO YOU FIND MOST INTERESTING?
Politics books (shelfmark ‘320’) interest me because I’m into all that. At the moment, European Union books help me sort out in my head what’s going on in the country at the moment!
WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN GREENWICH TO EAT/HAVE LUNCH?
Eating sandwiches under the Cutty Sark is a pleasure. On payday I do like Bill’s Restaurant!  
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO OUTSIDE OF WORK?
Spend time with family and my friends, and experiment with cooking curries.
FAVOURITE BOOK, MUSIC AND FILM?
I’m a big fan of The Hunger Games books – take from that what you will! For music, I like anything by Michael Jackson, and my favourite film is Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Moulin Rouge’ (in fact anything directed Baz Luhrmann!).
WHERE IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU LIKE TO VISIT?
Me and my partner want to drive the length of Route 66 in an open top car one day. One day…
IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY SUPERHUMAN POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
The one Patrick Stewart had in ‘X-Men’ – was it telepathy or telekinesis? Some way of putting my massive brain to good use (is modesty a super power?).
HAVE YOU VISITED THE CUTTY SARK, NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM, ROYAL OBSERVATORY AND QUEEN’S HOUSE?
National Maritime Museum (tick); Royal Observatory (tick); Queens House and Cutty Sark are still on the to do list!

Library Staff Profiles

Have you ever wanted to find out more about the people who work at Avery Hill and Stockwell Street Library? Of course you have! Starting today is the first of our weekly profiles of the various staff you may spot or speak to at our libraries. Find out what they do, both inside and outside of working at the University of Greenwich!

First up, we’re profiling one of our academic subject librarians for Business, Ros Francis:

Ros Francis
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED AT THE UNIVERSITY/LIBRARY?
I’ve worked at the University since 2008. I worked in the Avery Hill library as the Health librarian before moving to Stockwell Street in August 2015 to be one of the Business librarians.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ROLE IN THE LIBRARY?
I’m a Business librarian which means that I support the students and staff in the Business School. My job is to make sure the resources they need for teaching and learning are in place, and that they know how to make the best use of those resources. I do this in teaching sessions, creating guides and answering email enquiries or seeing students on a one-to-one basis.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT WORKING IN THE LIBRARY?
I most enjoy the challenge of teaching students to understand our resources and the skills they need to make use of them, it can be difficult but it’s very satisfying when someone gets it.

WHICH BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY DO YOU FIND MOST INTERESTING?
I probably find the novels the most interesting!

WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN GREENWICH TO EAT/HAVE LUNCH?
The market is one of my favourite places to eat – there is a big variety of food stalls and always something I like. I especially like the Vegan Garden or the Ethiopian stall.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO OUTSIDE OF WORK?
Outside of work, one of my main interests is dance. I do contemporary dance and kathak, a classical Indian dance. Not sure how I ended up learning kathak but I love it! It’s a very beautiful dance form.

FAVOURITE BOOK, MUSIC AND FILM?
The first book I ever bought with my own money is Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, it became one of my favourite books and it still is. It is very funny and the satire feels relevant even though it is nearly 30 years old now. I love all cinema, especially Indian cinema. Satyajit Ray is a real master of Bengali cinema and his Apu trilogy is well worth checking out. I was stunned by Pather Panchali (the first film in the Apu trilogy) when I first saw it. I also love spotting Greenwich on screen in the latest blockbuster films.

WHERE IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU LIKE TO VISIT?
There are too many places in the world I would like to visit! I would love to see the Alhambra, and I have already planned to visit Canada next summer.

IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY SUPERHUMAN POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Definitely flying – what better way to see the world?

HAVE YOU VISITED THE CUTTY SARK, NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM, ROYAL OBSERVATORY AND QUEEN’S HOUSE?
I have visited all of these places – I live locally and they are great places to take family and friends when they come to visit. My top tip for visiting the meridian line is to come to Greenwich after dark and see the green laser light marking the meridian shining out from the observatory.