PEOPLE 60
seconds with...
Richard Waites is Librarian at Arup Twitter: @W1Librarian
Richard says: Having worked in the entertainment business for over 20 years (on stage and screen), I changed direction (radically!), and I’ve worked in the library and information industry for over 12 years.
I’ve worked at Arup (a global engineering and design consultancy) since 2008. I am responsible for all their UK hard copy and online journal subscriptions, but my role also includes: loans management (both ‘in-house’ and inter-library loans); purchasing (books, standards and contracts), cataloguing; stock maintenance; article abstraction and dissemination; as well as a range of bid-support activities. I am also the library’s designated copyright guru and increasingly my role involves taking on more complex research requests for project teams.
I have a fascination with User Experience (UX), especially UX within the library context and environment.
What was your earliest ambition? I always wanted to be an actor, an ambition I realised by going to drama school, and then working in television for over 20 years. One of the series I wrote and starred in was very successful, being nomi- nated for a BAFTA, and winning a Royal Television Society award for Best Children’s Entertainment. So that was nice.
Who has inspired you in your career?
As a librarian, I’m extremely lucky to work at Arup, as everyone (and I mean EVERYONE!) is so support- ive. They care about your career path (actively encouraging CPD) just as much as your well-being. My manager James Griffith is a constant source of inspiration, and my mentor Kim Sherwin also played a crucial role in my career. I wouldn’t be where I am (or have achieved Chartership) without either of them.
Career advice – what’s your top tip
Sounds cheesy (given the circumstances) but join CILIP! The networking opportunities I’ve been given, besides the courses, con-
March 2020
ferences, and presentations I’ve attended have been invaluable.
Best professional achievement/ moment? Recently, I’ve been able to combine my previous life with my library career by giving presentations to regional Arup offices which demonstrate what a valuable resource the library is, as well as explaining the different services we can provide. It’s astonishing the amount of people who think that libraries are just about books.
Worst professional moment (if you dare!)
Possibly when I worked at a law library and I innocently (but perhaps too loudly) asked a very eminent barrister if he’d like to look at Child Pornography. It’s a core text, but I sensed the library went quieter than usual…
What CILIP member networks do you belong to?
I’m part of the ‘Leaders Network’, the ‘Community, Diversity & Equality’ group, the ‘Knowledge & Information Management’ group and I sit on the committee for the ‘London Regional Network’.
What drives you on?
The presentations I’ve been giving demonstrate there’s a huge need for more awareness of what librarians do, and how we can help. That’s a pretty big incentive to keep going.
A book you’ve enjoyed recently? I love anything by David Sedaris, so I recently finished Theft by Finding, and I’ve just started The Lives of Lucien Freud by William Feaver. There’s always a P.G. Wodehouse in my bag, or on my bedside table.
Have you got any hidden talents?
I spent time in a professional kitchen before drama school, so I have good knife skills. I know the difference between a julienne, a brunoise and a chiffonade, plus I can spatchcock a chicken in under a minute!
Do you cook, if so, what’s your signature dish?
I do, and I make a very good Tom Kha Gai, anyone who says you can substitute ginger for galangal is wrong. Discuss.
INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL 43
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60
