Fid Bleasdale | Sheron Burton | Lorraine Maddock | Gill Pacey
Organisation/College: Aquinas College
Current areas of responsibility: Learning Resources Manager / ILT Manager
Previous areas of responsibility: Previously a Governor at Aquinas College (Finance & Buildings Committee); Have held Assistant Librarian and Librarian posts in 3 other FE/Sixth Form colleges
Cross college/academic responsibilities: In my current post I am a member of the college management group; an ILT Manager; a member of various groups including Quality Group, Curriculum Group, Accommodation Group, Support Staff Advisory Group. In current and previous posts I have been involved with quality assurance and the provision of staff development opportunities for support staff areas as well as trade union activities via Unison
Professional areas of specialism: Learning Resources in Sixth Form Colleges; Learning Resources and ILT
Professional areas of interest: JISC RSC NW Steering Group (one of the Sixth Form Colleges’ representatives); North West Sixth Form Colleges Librarians Group; South Manchester ILT Group; Northern Autolib User Group; Learnwise User Group; I have held the position of Minutes Secretary for CoFHE Southern Circle
Length of time in FE/Sixth Form: 17 years
Project management experience/expertise: Within my current post there are 2 key areas I am involved in: introducing an VLE/MLE and reviewing future college accommodation needs
Role in CoLRiC: Conference organiser
Due for re-election: June 2006
Current professional challenges in their situation: Trying to expand staffing in a time of financial constraint; linking e-learning and learning resources
What are the top three issues all librarians need to address in order to provide proactive responsive provision? Develop management/leadership skills; seek out all opportunities – participate in college priorities such as e-learning; develop strong emotional intelligence and communication skills
Outside interests: Keen watcher of football – Southampton is my team but due to distance I hold a season ticket at Preston NE; “trundling” around England and Wales during holidays; renovating a cottage in North Wales; theatre and cinema goer
Comment box: Edwina Salmon encouraged me to observe a CoLRiC meeting and by the end of it I was organising the next conference! Working with committed, supportive colleagues has opened my eyes to challenges affecting the sector and re-enforced the need to be proactive as individuals and as a profession.
Organisation/College: City and Islington College
Current areas of responsibility: Learning Centres
Previous areas of responsibility: Customer Services; Learning Centres
Cross college/ academic responsibilities: Learner Support, Copyright
Professional areas of specialism: Management of Change; Staff management; training; copyright
Professional areas of interest: FE development generally; e-learning
Length of time in FE/Sixth Form: 20 years
Project management experience/expertise: Development of new LC; management of refurbishment of Learning Centre; introduction of new Library System
Role in CoLRiC: Committee member
Due for re-election: June 2008
Current professional challenges in their situation: Time management!
What are the top three issues all librarians need to address in order to provide proactive responsive provision? Customer focus; Qualitative measurement of service provision; Focussed staff
Outside interests: Travel, reading, good food, art
Comment box: I was coerced into joining CoLRiC on my return to FE! The benefits are: Working with a group of committed professionals; keeping up to date professionally; sharing, discussing and debating common concerns.