Big news here at Girl in the Moon towers: I've managed to land myself a new job. From the start of December I'll be the Rare Books and Special Collections Librarian at the Royal College of Physicians in London.
Some readers may know that my contract in Cambridge is soon to expire, so this couldn't have come at a better moment for me. And, in addition to that, the RCP has a really interesting collection of early printed books, and the job description includes lots of things that I enjoy: cataloguing, exhibitions, public engagement.
But there's no doubt that it's going to be a Big Change. I've been a student at, or an employee in, the University of Cambridge (or one of its connected institutions) for ten years now. It's definitely the right time to break free and experience work somewhere else, but by this point I'm pretty well enmeshed in the daily, termly and annual rhythms of this place. Not to mention that I've had the same @cam.ac.uk email address, and a very generous mailbox limit, for all of those ten years: switching that is going to be a real wrench.
I'll not be moving away from Cambridge, not in the short-term at least. The joy of not having to move house is counterbalanced by the added excitement of acclimatising to the commute. I've been hugely lucky so far in life - the longest I've ever had to travel to work is a 25 minute bike ride. So I'm not complaining now, just facing up to the fact that the alarm's going to be going off a lot earlier than it used to!
It's going to be a very interesting time, professionally. It's just the motivation I need to get on and sort my chartership, and there'll be lots to learn about local systems, cataloguing practices and collections. And about the history of medicine. London librarian types: expect to see me at more evening events (LIKE - I have my eyes on you in particular). Cambridge librarian types: expect to see me, blearily, in the vicinity of the station. Other librarian types: watch this space for (hopefully) news of how I get on.
If anyone has any hints or tips for 1) commuting, 2) learning about the history of medicine and 3) places near Regent's Park/Portland Place to eat, drink and shop, I'd be happy to hear them!
Congratulations Katie! How very exciting :o) I take it you already keep up with #histsci and #histmed people on twitter?
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm going to be making a new list of people on Twitter :)
DeleteCongratulations! Tips for commuting - if you're on a train journey where the London station = last stop (as I was, coming into Waterloo) then you can catch an extra few winks sleep coming in. For going home; lots of extra time for reading all those good books :)
ReplyDeleteThanks. I've never managed to get the knack of sleeping on trains, but I suspect this will be a good opportunity to practise!
DeleteCongratulations Katie great news.
ReplyDeleteMight bump into you on the days I do the granny commute to Crayford (7.45 out home for 8pm)
Thanks Suzan!
DeleteHow exciting! Congrats, Katie.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Have you ever been to the RCP building? You'd like it, I think - 1960s listed architecture (by Lasdun), and gardens. Lots of photo opps!
DeleteCongratulations!
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteGo and eat lunch at the excellent and wonderful Health Food Centre on Warren Street. Great big helpings of veggie and vegan curries, a salad bar, and loads of nice cakes, for very reasonable prices. I've been eating there for years, including when I was a (poor) student and a (hungry) courier. In fact, why did I not take you there that long-ago day when you met me for lunch and we had some awful pub salad thing somewhere else?
ReplyDeleteEmily, hail! Who knows, and never mind... You did introduce me to Deux Amis, the Brunswick market and the LRB cafe, so I can't complain at all. :) If you're ever back in London we'll do lunch there properly.
DeleteCongratulations! That's very exciting.
ReplyDeleteFor fancy (but regrettably overpriced) fayre, I can recommend the restaurant of Royal Institute of British Architects' headquarters at 66 Portland Place. They also have pretty exhibitions from time to time (and a lovely library, too ;))
Thank you! And thanks for the tip. I'm hoping I can find time to visit lots of the lovely libraries in the vicinity.
DeleteCongratulations Katie.
ReplyDeleteDiscover the Open Air Theatre in Regent's Park - a real gem.
http://www.openairtheatre.org/
All the best for your move
Pearl
Thanks Pearl!
DeleteCongratulations - you'll be great! I enjoyed being 10-15 mins walk from John Lewis yarn dept. And you'll get loads of knitting time on the train. ;-)
ReplyDeleteHi Katie,
ReplyDeleteDelighted to hear your news and I'm sure you will enjoy London. I think a librarian fron RCP came to wok in Bedfordshre (Stratton Upper) but didn't enjoy school library life. As you found out on your visit it is rather different to academia.
I am having a great time at my new School Biddenham, been here a whole half term and feel really appreciated. Lots of change going on at Harlington at the moment - they haven't replaced me (my assistant is covering) but they are going to extend the library - good news just a shame about how they are going about it. I am so pleased not to be there.
All the best Jenny
Jenny,
DeleteLovely to hear from you. I've been very bad with keeping up with things the last few months, so I didn't realise you had a new job. It sounds like it's difficult times at Harlington - I'm pleased to hear you've found somewhere new that you like.
Best wishes,
Katie
Congratulations on a big change Katie! I didn't know people left Cambridge after 10 years (think I left after 8 - seemed a bit touch and go at the time). I'm sure the change of institution will be invigorating - and it does sound like you'll have plenty of time for reading on those journeys.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
Joel
Congratulations Katie! What a great location to work in.
ReplyDeleteIf you find you're getting into history of medicine in a big way you should think about the society of apothecaries course: http://www.apothecaries.org/faculty-of-the-history-philosophy-of-medicine-parm/diploma-course-in-the-history-of-medicine/
Hope to see you in London
Jo
Thanks Jo! And thanks for the tip about that course - it looks really interesting. Hope to see you again soon.
Delete