Asplundh, Rhys. (2009). The light at the end of the tunnel. [Photograph]. Flickr. https://tinyurl.com/afnc7pdr
It is with great relief that I am starting ETL507. It has always been there – the light at the end of the tunnel – and is representative of nearing the end of the Masters Ed (TL) course (although I still have on more elective to go). I was even more relieved to get Suzanne’s approval (pending paperwork) to undertake my work placement in our library spaces here at Seoul Foreign School. I cannot travel to Australia for a placement due to border closures (and expense). It would also be very difficult to find a placement here in a non-school library as Covid cases in Seoul have skyrocketed the past few weeks and movement in public spaces is very much discouraged. Today we had 1,800 additional cases. In addition, I have no prior work experience in a school library.
I have just worked through the Study Visit learning modules and done the pre-Study Visit quiz. I’m looking forward to this experience. I do like the flexibility of being able to choose 3+ virtual study visits at times and dates that work for me. As encouraged in the learning module activities, I looked back on last year’s study visit locations and was impressed with the range of information centres represented. I had not thought of organisations such as the The Royal Horticultural and Agricultural Society and the Epworth as providing information centres. I found the videos in the learning modules inspiring and a great reminder of how working in information centres is really representative of being at the epicentre between people and resources. I even looked up Medical Librarian jobs on a whim. I had no idea they existed! My first degree was nursing and it had never occurred to me that I might be able to marry health, teaching and librarianship all in one! Thus, even before the Study Visits commence, I am being challenged to broaden my horizons beyond a school and public library focus.