A Day in the Life - Library Assistant
Article written by: Laura Pearson
Library Assistant Hannah Kilbank has been working at Duloch Library since it opened in 2007.
When her shift starts, Hannah opens the library doors and sets up the free tea and coffee in the warm space area.
The OnFife courier arrives, bringing books from libraries across Fife. They bring Duloch books that have been returned to other libraries as well as books requested for Duloch customers. Hannah pops the requested books onto the reserve shelf and then contacts the customer to let them know that their request is ready to collect.
Hannah also checks for book requests that have come in overnight, then collects the books from their shelves to be taken by courier to other libraries.
The rest of Hannah's day depends on people's enquiries. “We might have a customer come in to collect free hearing aid batteries. Another customer might need help with our computers or printing. All of the library staff can help with this. It's amazing how much is accessible online - lots of Fife Council forms - but people often need help finding them.”
There's usually a school visit and sometimes up to five classes can visit in one day. “These are great” says Hannah, “it's lovely to be asked to help and to see kids excited about books. Some of them even come in after school to take home books they saw during their visit. It's lovely to see the kids familiar with the library building and us as staff.”
Hannah enjoys chatting and getting to know library customers. She reflects that it's nice to get to know what people enjoy reading and then to be able to tell them when the next book in a series comes in or to recommend a book.
There are five book groups that meet at Duloch Library and Hannah runs the monthly Book and a Bairn book club for parents and their little ones. Hannah spends time finding books for the group and requesting copies from other local libraries. She also researches facts about the book and author and prepares questions for the group chat.
At the end of the day, Hannah usually tidies up the library before getting ready to lock the doors. “I love this job” she says, “I'd say it's a great job for anyone who loves books. But you have to like people too - chatting is a big part. It really is the best job in the world.”
Hannah (left) with colleague Arlene Davidson at Duloch Library