What I Learnt During My #GLAMRmatch.

This was my first time participating in #GLAMRmatch. I was paired with a GLAMR Leader who also began in the education sector and successfully transitioned into public library work.

I am currently studying Library and Information Services, so being able to speak with someone who had taken similar steps and reached a place I would like to be – was valuable. We
shared stories about our career journeys, what we enjoyed, the challenges we faced, and the advice we had picked up along the way.

Advice from my GLAMR Leader

1. Make yourself comfortable in interviews and customer service – Including a bit of humour (If that’s you)

I learned that bringing some personality, including humour, can help ease tension in both interviews and customer service settings. My GLAMRmatch Leader shared that when asked in an
interview why they wanted to work in collections, they simply said, “Because I like the smell of new books!” While it might not be textbook advice, it was honest – and it was welcomed.
It reminded me that most people feel nervous in interviews, and that’s completely normal. In customer service, a bit of humour can help build rapport – even if it doesn’t always land, that’s okay too.

2. Career Insights: It takes time – Volunteering, networking, and support can help

Getting a job can take longer than expected, but the small steps really do add up. My GLAMRmatch found volunteering, even in flexible roles like short shifts or mobile library driving was an amazing way to build up transferrable skills and network with others. They also reiterated something I had heard before – the importance of setting boundaries and recognising when to take a break.

Networking used to feel intimidating, but I’ve come to see it’s more nuanced – rather than high-stakes or strategic. Sometimes it’s just about staying visible and following up. In my
match’s case, the opportunity came from staying in occasional contact with someone in their network. They heard about a potential job opening through mutual contacts, before it was advertised, and quickly followed up with a message and a phone call to express interest. While they didn’t get that role, they were remembered, and when a temporary casual job
came up later, they were offered it. That experience gave them the confidence to apply more directly for a permanent position.

Career counselling was another helpful step in their journey – it helped them identify transferable skills and prepare for job applications. It was also encouraging to hear that people from a wide range of backgrounds can find their way into GLAMR roles, even without a traditional library degree.

3. Specific Software Can Be Learned on the Job
I used to worry about not knowing all the systems listed in job ads. But my GLAMRmatch reassured me that most people learn library software on the job – with training and support
available. It might take a few months to feel confident, and that’s completely okay. What really matters is being open to learning. Often, having some general tech experience – not
necessarily with specific systems – is enough to show you’re ready to grow in the role. This reminded me of something reassuring for someone studying or changing careers: 70% of
learning happens through hands-on experience, 20% through interactions with others, and only 10% through formal training.

4. Community Engagement- Surveys Are More Important Than I Thought

I hadn’t thought much about how libraries engage with their communities until this meeting. One insight that stood out was how my match described the use of surveys -not just from their own library, but also from local councils and Public Library Services (PLS), which oversees public libraries across the state. These surveys informed service decisions, such as rotating items between branches based on user requests or adjusting event planning in response to feedback.

It made me realise that community engagement isn’t just about being friendly or available – it’s about actively listening and using evidence to guide decisions. I’m now more curious about how survey data is collected and used to highlight both strengths and gaps in service.

Thank you to Queena Chen, ALIA SNGG Social Media Coordinator, Facebook for sharing your #GLAMRmatch25 reflection.