INTERLEND 2015 is here

I can hardly believe we’re coming up to a year since I joined the FIL committee following the AGM in Edinburgh yet here we are on the eve of the conference about to travel to Manchester. I have attended many FIL conferences in the past starting with Cambridge in 2003 and only missed a couple since. Obviously I was aware, but in a sort of vague way, that these conferences don’t just run themselves but I’m ashamed to confess I didn’t give it a lot of thought beyond that.  I always enjoyed the experience of combining socialising with colleagues and have made some good contacts over the years who I have been fortunate enough to see time and time again at this annual event.

 

All this complacency changed this year when I became a member of the sub group for the conference and saw exactly how much thought, planning and organising goes into this event. I have only played a small part but have had the privilege of seeing how Su, at the helm, managed to juggle everything skilfully to allow us to now be on the eve of what promises to be an exciting couple of days.

 

Please consider volunteering for the committee, the old adage of ‘many hands make light work’ is true. There is a great spirit of camaraderie among committee members and you won’t regret it. You only have to see how many of the current committee have been members in the past yet have been up for a repeat!

Ready for Interlend 2015

Ready for Interlend 2015?

photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/51869361@N05/5045091954">Water Lily</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">(license)</a>

I hope you are enjoying the start of the summer.  Like many of you I am busy getting ready for Interlend 2015.  This will be my first Interlend conference.  I have been a keen visitor to the FIL British Library days over the years, but never made it to the big conference before.  I look forward to saying hello to you if you making the trip to Manchester.

I have also taken plunge in becoming a member of the FIL Executive Committee this year.  It has been a great experience.  The opportunity to network with ILL colleagues has been valuable.  The commitment in terms of time is not huge.  Three days to attend committee meetings in Birmingham and two telecoms has not been difficult to fit in.  I have definitely gained in confidence and improved my networking skills.

I have learned how to blog and used the experience in successfully revalidating my CILIP chartership.  I used my new improved networking skills to persuade a colleague to allow me to shadow them on some research training which should be a helpful addition to my CV and was also part of my revalidation submission.

As part of the conference sub-committee I have learned about organising a conference, from choosing a venue, persuading companies to sponsor the conference and arranging speakers.  I have used this experience on a smaller scale in my day job arranging training for colleagues on interlending work.

These are just two examples of how my work on the FIL Executive Committee has benefitted my day job.  (It has also come in handy for other things as I used my blogging experience to impress my young nephews when I had to look after them earlier this year and my networking skills to help me get a place on a course at the University of London.)

I hope this has convinced you to think about joining the committee. 

See you in Manchester (and maybe at the next FIL Executive Committee meeting in October!)

Karen