Jesse Waters: The Skill Set of a Health Science Library Assistant

Jesse is  a 2015 graduate of the MLIS at University College Dublin, and also holds an MA in History from Mary Immaculate College. He has a great deal of experience in academic libraries, having volunteered at the library at Limerick School of Art and Design and the Glucksman Library (University of Limerick). He recently worked at the James Joyce  Library (University College Dublin) and is currently a part time library-assistant at the Mercer Library (Royal College of Surgeons).

Abstract

The Skill Set of a Health Science Library Assistant` highlights the core skills required from a library assistant, and those which are developed over time while working at the service desk of a health science library. From his own experience, he has identified three categories of skills that a library assistant should possess. First are the skills necessary before one enters the role, such as communication and research skills. Second are the skills which are realised when one becomes comfortable in their individual library, including knowledge of customer needs and library resources. Third are those which develop with experience in ones library, including specific subject knowledge such as health and medicine.