I am an experienced Library Assistant, currently employed with Laois County Council and based in Portlaoise Library. Previously, I worked as a Library Assistant with Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council in Dalkey and Stillorgan Libraries.I graduated from Maynooth University with First Class Honours in English and History. Prior to attending university, I operated my own business for over ten years, working on major projects for both private and commercial clients. This experience has allowed me to develop the excellent organisational, interpersonal and customer service skills which I bring to bear on my present employment, working with a close-knit team in Laois County Library's largest and busiest branch and assisting with both outreach events and our more traditional activities. I have a particular interest in film and have set up and run a Classic Film Club in the branch. This club features screenings of classic comedies and film noir and has included talks on film interpretation and reading films as texts - as well as just enjoying classic films as entertainment! I have also utilised these events to highlight the books on which the films are based. During the summer months, I run seasons of children's movies, with a particular view towards filmic adaptations of children's books and promoting the vitality of reading from an early age. As a keen photographer, I enjoy photographing our annual events, including the yearly Summer Reading Challenge for children. The images I take are focussed on publicising the range of outreach activities we run and in promoting our library as a welcoming centrepiece of the local community. My achievements include:• Winning a Dr H. H. Stewart Literary Scholarship in English at NUI • Obtaining highest results in class for final year in History• Transitioning from operating as a self-employed contractor to excelling in university studies to developing a fulfilling and exciting career in public libraries.
Listed skills include Customer Service, Library Systems, Event Planning, Interpersonal Skills, and 11 others.
