In honour of Library Lovers Day on 14 February, we spoke with Liz Hall from the Flinders University Library about her love of learning – and she shares a few well-hidden facts about the Library.
What is your role here at Flinders?
I’m the Associate Director, Engagement and Scholarly Communications with the Flinders University Library. My role provides oversight and strategic direction for the front-facing teams of the libraries, who support everyone in the Flinders community on their learning, teaching and research journeys.
Tell us a little about your career journey.
I have enjoyed a fantastic career journey at Flinders. I started as a Graduate Librarian with a passion for learning. Working in the higher education sector, especially within the libraries, has been a perfect fit for this passion.
What do you love most about working in the Library at Flinders?
The feedback from our university community is what motivates me, whether it’s something we can improve on in the Library, or noting when we have performed above expectations. And I can’t forget people in the Library team, who are an absolute joy to work with. Their enthusiasm is constantly inspiring.
Do you have any little known Library facts you can share with us?
The stories that these library walls could tell… Seriously, we are lucky to house some amazing Flinders memorabilia, including a wine bottle and beer can collection, badges worn by Flinders students in the 1960s and ’70s, a copy of the Flinders Central Admin Cookbook (“a compilation of the favourite recipes of Flinders Uni Central Admin staff”), as well as the collections of many eminent Flinders scholars. I’m looking forward to showcasing some of these for the Flinders 60th anniversary celebrations.
What is something you are most proud of?
Mentoring staff who are new to the profession is incredibly rewarding.
How do you spend your spare time?
Often it’s on, or near a basketball court. I’ve been a youth coach for more than 10 years, as well as a proud parent of three basketballers. I also enjoy keeping fit with regular running around my beautiful neighbourhood in the hills.
If you could go back in time to go to a concert, what would it be?
I will forever live with the disappointment of not seeing Blur perform live in Glasgow while I was living there in 1997.