Work Sponsored travel!

They didn’t quite send me overseas, but to the next best place, the RMIT Bundoora campus! Last week as part of my induction I was given cab vouchers and instructions to meet with loads of lovely people. This I did. Sitting in a taxi, listening to music in the sun and checking out the sites on the way wasn’t a bad was to while away 40 minutes. I know, how sad, but I haven’t been out that way before and found it kinda interesting.

The Bundoora West campus is really beautiful. What a great place to study! It felt very rural after the Swanston Campus. The library was split over three levels, the top two levels consisted of lots of comfortable spaces for students to study including a number of silent study rooms. There were loads of windows overlooking outdoor, green spaces and gum trees. I thought it was a really well designed layout especially the main entrance level which was open plan allowing for maximum natural light to filter in. This was where the majority of students PC's were as well as the loans/ reference desk. Most factors had been taken into consideration when creating the new design including ergonomics. I even liked the ‘basement’ level with its aubergine coloured walls opposite mirrored walls. Basement level reminded me of a night club I used to like in Lonsdale street lots of years ago. It was just missing the shag pile carpet and fish tank (complete with floating goldfish) and I would have felt right at home.

I also had the opportunity to visit the small Bundoora East campus library. The few students in the library were all dressed up in suites ready to do a major presentation. The subject matter over there was interesting too. Very specialised and technical engineering / aeronautical oriented. I think it would be a nice place to work as it had a really welcoming feel. Same with Bundoora West campus for that matter, I met every one I had intended to and a few more to boot. Both students and staff were extremely hospitably. And the hot chocolate out there’s pretty good too. Thanks Velma! I was really impressed with the equipment they had to empty the returns chute very OH&S compliant and very clever. But then they had the space for it.

Overall, it was a very worthwhile visit. I learned a lot about the organisational structure overall, effective utilisation of library spaces, how others are approaching joint projects such as the Libguides and how others in similar roles are getting the best results.

The trip back via the ring road was even entertaining. It was especially amusing when the taxi driver asked me to “just thump him awake if he fell asleep while driving” as he was up partying till late the night before and was very tired. Demonstrated when he rolled down the window and stuck his entire head out into the cold, fresh air to ‘wake himself up’.

And now off to investigate Podcasts!

Welcome.......to me! and you of course ;)

Hello and Welcome to my blog. Who am I welcoming you ask ? Well myself of course. To the new, and hopefully exciting, world of blogging. And of course any one else out there who's reading this.

I guess I should introduce myself. I'm very new to my current working environment but I'm really enjoying it so far. I think because it involves working with people not just being stuck behind a desk and staring at a computer. I do miss my previous work colleagues but I still see them regularly. I haven't completely cut ties with the TAFE world. But the Higher Ed world seems to be a much bigger pond. Well adios for now, lets hope my next entry is more enlightening.