The Grand Tour (or A Subject Librarian’s travels around the North West!) by Zoe Collyer, CILIP North West Awards Co-ordinator

Over the last month or so I have spent a lot of time on trains as a result of the attending some great training opportunities.

When I say 'Grand Tour', I have to admit to mainly travelling to Liverpool and Manchester, but I seem to have visited both cities more in the last couple of weeks than I have in the last 2 years!

First up, Manchester, for the JISC Connect More event at Manchester United football ground. (JISC provides digital solutions for UK education and research). Myself and a colleague set out in the largest car that our University could provide and bravely set off up the M56.  I drive a Peugeot 108, so being presented with an SUV is always an interesting prospect. It feels a bit like being given the keys to a tank! Taking the wrong junction onto the M60, then having to battle across Manchester through hoards of cricket fans, we make it to the event just on time.
The event was a great chance to explore how our team can incorporate digital strategies to enhance our students’ experience, and we came away with lots of ideas. We also got the chance to see the stadium itself, a bit of an eye opener for me as I’ve never been to a football ground. I still can’t quite believe that people are paid to wash the seats!

Ditching the tank, the following day I take the train to Liverpool for the NoWAL Conference (North West Academic Libraries), a slightly more relaxing journey. Volunteering at the event I met colleagues from across the North West and chaired some great sessions on the conference theme of exploring and supporting diversity in academic libraries. Again, there was lots I can take back to put into practice, and the themes of the talks and discussions gave plenty of food for thought.

Third event in a week takes me to Salford, again by train, for the ALDinHE Regional Symposium (Association for Learning Development in Higher Education).  There we had the opportunity to play, with workshops based on the theme of creativity and play, and it is interesting to see how competitive librarians and information professionals can be when faced with a locked box challenge.  A great event and the opportunity to share experiences and ideas with colleagues. Back to Manchester to squeeze in an evening trip to see the Book of Mormon!

After a week’s holiday it’s back to travelling and two trips in a week. Back to Salford University to have a look at their UniSkills module and finally Manchester for the CILIP North West committee meeting. Now all I have to do is unearth my desk from all the stuff that has been piled onto it and do some real work!

Now all I have to do is unearth my desk from all the stuff that has been piled on it and actually do some real work!