Graduate intern update: Elisabeth

Graduate intern Elisabeth Prestgard updates us on what she’s been up to in the last month or so…

Hello everyone! Since I last updated you there have been many changes that I’d like to tell you about. Now that the new term has started, the library is open for all students, and as a result it has become a lot busier. When I work at the help and information desk, there are a lot more students queuing up and asking questions. Providing frontline customer service is one of my favourite tasks, because I get to assist people while learning more information about the library. With all the students now allowed in the library, I actually get to see what the library was like before the pandemic!  

One of the changes that have taken place in the past couple of months is that the Inter-Library Loans team are now processing book requests. Earlier it was limited to book chapters and articles. I have been learning how to location search and send requests to other libraries which have the resource available. My line manager has also shown me how to search for books internationally too. These additional tasks have helped increase my book detective skills.

As part of my Internship, I have been given a project which was to update the Inter-Library Loans information on the frequently asked questions section on LibAnswers. My task was to make sure that the information was up to date before the new term started. I was editing the site in my spare time as well as during quiet moments in my workday at Inter-Library Loans. When editing, I added new and updated information as well as updating the appropriate links.

On a more personal note, I received a visit from my family at the beginning of September. I haven’t seen them for a year and a half, and it was great to show them around Durham.

Thank you for your interest, and I look forward to seeing you at the Bill Bryson Library 😊