In the next of our series introducing members of staff, #DULibIntroducing welcomes Kirsty Barnfather who started as the User Experience Officer with University Library and Collections back in April of this year! Recently, we talked a little about her role at the library and what it’s been like starting a new job whilst working from home.
Hello! Please state your name, full job title, and a brief description of what that entails:
My name is Kirsty Barnfather and my job title is User Experience Officer with University Library and Collections. My role is new within the department and has been introduced with the aim to develop our service offering through a user-centred approach, engaging in user experience activities and communications development.
How long have you worked at the Library?
A staggering 7 weeks!
How has been starting a new job whilst we’ve all been working from home?
Starting a new job during lockdown has been quite an experience; getting to grips with new systems and setting up working from home has been a learning curve, and meeting people through the wonder of Teams (and realising just how much I dislike seeing myself on screen!) is not the way you would usually expect to be introduced to new colleagues for the first time. However, the warm, friendly welcome I have received from everyone I have spoken to at the University has been so positive and everyone has offered their support in any way that they can – I can’t have asked for a better welcome to the team.
How are you spending your free time at the moment?
Desperately trying to entertain a 4-year-old.
What was the last film you saw and what would rate it out of 10?
The last film I saw wasn’t a new release but was on the television over the weekend – A Few Good Men, starring Tom Cruise, Demi Moore and Jack Nicholson. Such a good film with a brilliant cast – I’d give it 8/10.
What song always gets you on the dance floor/to the karaoke machine?
I tend to avoid karaoke as best I can – I think I could clear a pub with just a few notes! A song to get me onto the dance floor would be Usher – Yeah – an absolute guarantee!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Don’t worry about things that have already happened or things that might happen in the future – learn from the past, always do your best in the present and your future will thank you for it. Also, don’t be too hard on yourself!
What are you most looking forward to doing when the Library re-opens?
Being able to physically get on campus and visit all the amazing buildings! I’ve been in Bill Bryson Library once for my interview and haven’t yet had the opportunity to see for myself all the fantastic facilities and venues we have within the Library and Collections department. I’ve heard a lot about them and seen some stunning photos, so I can’t wait to get there and see them for myself!
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