Masters, Skiffington, Brangman & Westhead
In celebration of National Library Week, four of the island’s librarians – Robert Masters, Karen Skiffington, Joanne Brangman and Sara Westhead — are being highlighted, with a brief insight in their respective specialties.
Name: Robert Masters
Type Of Library [special, academic, public, school]: Academic
Position: Library Director
Place of employment: Bermuda College
Job educational requirements: Master Of Science In Library And Information Science
What I do….
Oversee the day-to-day running of the library, prepare budgets, manage people and interact with our patrons, students and faculty
These are my favorite things… [about their job]
Interaction With Students – giving them knowledge about our databases and other library resources
Cool experiences….
Helping to organize public events in the library in order to interact with the local community
Recent reads: 2 books that they have read recently
The Splendid and the Vile – Erik Larson [about Winston Churchill and WWII]
Sea of glory: America’s voyage of discovery – Nathaniel Philbrick [about America’s first voyage of discovery of the Antarctic and the Pacific Islands in the 1830-40’s]
Name: Karen Skiffington
Type Of Library [special, academic, public, school]:
Law Library [special]
Position: Head of Knowledge Management – Caribbean
Place of employment: Carey Olsen Bermuda Limited
Job educational requirements:
MLS, legal experience or interest, strong IT skills
What I do….
I do legal research for the attorneys of the firm using online legal databases such as Lexis, Westlaw and Justis, and using traditional print materials as well. I organise legal information [books, journals, legislation, law reports, etc] and manage a current legal awareness service using resources from Bermuda, UK, BVI and Cayman. I prepare in-house Continuing Legal Education programmes for our attorneys. I create databases to store in-‐house legal information. I train our staff in advanced uses of Microsoft Office, using Lexis/Westlaw/Justis effectively, and any other needs as they arise. I maintain our intranet for the offices located in Bermuda, Cayman and BVI. I assist with the education of summer law students and our pupils in the course of their 2 year pupillage programme. I am involved in the administration of the office.
Additionally I have edited a law book for former Chief Justice Ian Kawaley which has been published in 2 editions; and I edit the Bermuda Law Reports.
These are my favorite things… [about their job]
I’m never bored – every day brings new challenges. I work as a valued member of a team of legal professionals. I enjoy teaching and assisting the younger attorneys and our pupils and students. Pay and benefits are better than average compared to public sector positions.
Cool experiences….
Working on some of the biggest commercial trials in Bermuda’s courts, including assisting highly respected members of the English Bar. Overcoming my initial fears of public speaking. Attending conferences of law librarians in the US, Canada and UK.
Recent reads: 2 books that they have read recently
Too many to list. I always have a book or two on the go and read on my phone, my Kindle and my tablet. I haven’t purchased a print book in many years.
Name: C. Joanne Brangman
Type Of Library [Public]:
Position: Director
Place of employment: The Department of Libraries & Archives
Job educational requirements: Master of Library Science Degree or Master of Archival Science Degree
What I do….
The Director is responsible for the overall management of the Department of Libraries and Archives, which includes The Bermuda National Library [Main Library & Youth Library], The Bermuda Archives and The Government Record Centre. She develops and oversees the departmental budget; implements the department’s business plan and serves as liaison to other Government Departments, the Community, professional organizations, the Library Committee and the Friends of the Library.
These are my favorite things… [about their job]
Preparing and monitoring the budget [I love working with numbers!]
Answering reference questions
Cool experiences….
The coolest experience is finding information for someone who has searched everywhere for an answer and as a last resort came to the library.
Recent reads: 2 books that they have read recently
1. Over My Dead Body – Jeffrey Archer
2. All Boys Aren’t Blue – George M. Johnson
Name: Sara Westhead
Type Of Library: School Library
Position: Teacher Librarian, Content Teacher Leader for English
Place of employment: The Whitney Institute Middle School
Job educational requirements: Master of Library Science Degree, Teaching Certification
What I do….
In addition to managing the library and developing its collection, I also work with other educators to help them find resources and enhance their teaching, as well as helping students find their ‘just right’ book. I also teach M3/IGCSE English and manage that department of teachers, as well as assist with technology needs across the school
These are my favorite things… [about their job]
Students getting excited about a book they just read
Organizing activities and events to get students in the library
Connecting and building relationships with students and letting them know they are important, capable, smart and valued.
Cool experiences….
Hosting a Star Wars-themed open house for the school library, which coincided with my birthday, and suddenly finding nearly 70 kids singing Happy Birthday to me! A whole class of students asking if they could call me “Auntie”.
Recent reads: 2 books that they have read recently
1. Born a Crime – Trevor Noah
2. Every Shiny Thing – Laurie Morrison & Cordelia Jensen
Love libraries and librarians! Books give us inspiration, knowledge and a new perspective. We get to travel without moving.
Thank you for your service!