Monday 24 April 2017

Library Staff profiles

Have you ever wanted to find out more about the people who work at Avery Hill and Stockwell Street Library? Of course you have! We continue our weekly profiles of the various staff you may spot or speak to at our libraries. Find out what they do, both inside and outside of working at the University of Greenwich!

This week, we profile our First Line Support Assistant at Stockwell Street library, Richard Carpenter:

Richard Carpenter

HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED AT THE UNIVERSITY/LIBRARY?
About a year and a half.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ROLE IN THE LIBRARY?
To put it simply, I work within the IT Teams at the university to provide support for students and staff, but my day-to-day work often involves working with many different teams across the university.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT WORKING IN THE LIBRARY?
I love interacting with and helping members of the university community and any guests/visitors we get too. Every day is different!

WHICH BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY DO YOU FIND MOST INTERESTING?
Almost anything in the history section.

WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN GREENWICH/AT AVERY HILL OR IN ELTHAM TO HAVE LUNCH?
We are lucky in Greenwich to have so many excellent places to eat and I couldn’t pick a favourite place out of them all! In the summer, though, I love having lunch in Greenwich Park.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO OUTSIDE OF WORK?
I love watching and playing sports. I try to go cycling as often as I can.

FAVOURITE BOOK, MUSIC AND FILM?
I don’t necessarily have favourites but I grew up reading the Harry Potter books. I listen to any kind of music, really, and I’ve always loved Mrs Doubtfire!

WHERE IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU LIKE TO VISIT?
I’ve been to some amazing countries and places but still prominent on my list are: Barcelona, Berlin, New York, Washington DC, Mumbai, Sydney, Venice and Milan.

IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY SUPERHUMAN POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
The ability to fly – it would make my journey in to work a lot quicker!

HAVE YOU VISITED THE CUTTY SARK, NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM, ROYAL OBSERVATORY AND QUEEN’S HOUSE?
I have visited them all apart from the Queen’s House, some many years before I started working at the university! I must go again, and I would encourage everyone to visit them whilst studying or working here!

Monday 10 April 2017

Library Staff profile

Have you ever wanted to find out more about the people who work at Avery Hill and Stockwell Street Library? Of course you have! We continue our weekly profiles of the various staff you may spot or speak to at our libraries. Find out what they do, both inside and outside of working at the University of Greenwich!

This week, we profile one of our Student IT Support Assistants at both Avery Hill and Stockwell Street libraries, Andra Dafinescu:

Andra Dafinescu

HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED AT THE UNIVERSITY/LIBRARY?
I have been working at the library for about two months.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ROLE IN THE LIBRARY?
My role is very intriguing! As I am based at both the Greenwich and Avery Hill campuses, I have the opportunity to work in different environments. It is mostly based on your customer service skills. Moreover, it helps you develop a sense of self-orientation, as you need to solve different enquiries in a rapid and efficient way.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT WORKING IN THE LIBRARY?
Mostly I enjoy the fact that you do not work alone. I like being a team player and I am glad that I am part of such a good group. Also, I enjoy the challenges that this job has: you have to be able to solve a different range of issues.

WHICH BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY DO YOU FIND MOST INTERESTING?
The books related to economics, finance, banking and business (e.g. Freakconomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner).

WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN GREENWICH/AT AVERY HILL OR IN ELTHAM TO HAVE LUNCH?
The Clock Gate (next to Cutty Sark DLR Station). I believe that place is perfect for a student!

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO OUTSIDE OF WORK?
I like to read all kinds of books (from history and geography to self-development and motivation).  Also, I enjoy visiting different places around the city (museums, parks, etc.), going to different events (such as exhibitions) and going to the gym.

FAVOURITE BOOK, MUSIC AND FILM?
Book: The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Music: Eagles – Hotel California
Film: Interstellar (2014)

WHERE IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU LIKE TO VISIT?
First place I would like to go is Los Angeles!

IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY SUPERHUMAN POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
The ability to control all of the four elements: earth, water, air and fire.

HAVE YOU VISITED THE CUTTY SARK, NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM, ROYAL OBSERVATORY AND QUEEN’S HOUSE?
Yes!

Monday 3 April 2017

Library Staff profile

Have you ever wanted to find out more about the people who work at Avery Hill and Stockwell Street Library? Of course you have! We continue our weekly profiles of the various staff you may spot or speak to at our libraries. Find out what they do, both inside and outside of working at the University of Greenwich!

This week, we profile one of our Student IT Support Assistants at Stockwell Street Library, James Myers:

James Myers

HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED AT THE UNIVERSITY/LIBRARY?
I have worked at the university for a year and six months.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ROLE IN THE LIBRARY?
My role is essentially the first point of contact for all students who need support with library IT services.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT WORKING IN THE LIBRARY?
The most enjoyable part about working in the library is the helpful and friendly team of both full-time staff and like-minded part-time student workers like myself. Their open and enthusiastic personalities really make it a joy to work at the university.

WHICH BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY DO YOU FIND MOST INTERESTING?
I think the most interesting books in the library are the History books in the basement. Some of them date back many years, and so a lot can be learned from them.

WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN GREENWICH/AT AVERY HILL OR IN ELTHAM TO HAVE LUNCH?
My favourite place to have lunch in Greenwich is the Vietnamese restaurant called Saigon.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO OUTSIDE OF WORK?
Outside of work I like to go longboarding in Greenwich Park with friends, swim, go to the gym, watch Netflix or go out to one of the thousands of bars in London itself.

FAVOURITE BOOK, MUSIC AND FILM?
Favourite book (currently) – The 4-Hour Work Week: Escape the 9-5, Live Anywhere and Join the New Rich by Tim Ferriss
Favourite music – Half Moon Run
Favourite film – Star Wars (hard to pick an actual movie out of the saga!)

WHERE IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU LIKE TO VISIT?
I would love to visit lots of places, but I think that far-east Asia would be the most unique for me, so perhaps Thailand.

IF YOU COULD HAVE ANY SUPERHUMAN POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
If I could have any superpower I would pick telekinesis as it is most similar to the Force in Star Wars, and that would be awesome!

HAVE YOU VISITED THE CUTTY SARK, NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM, ROYAL OBSERVATORY AND QUEEN’S HOUSE?
I have visited the National Maritime Museum and the Royal Observatory. I see the Cutty Sark every single day so that is definitely next on my list!