Beginning Cataloguing - Tidy Beginnings

General Information

• Building, organising, cataloguing and / or weeding your collection of books, photographs and / or other ephemera. (I have also set up home catalogues for some clients and taught them how to enter their own descriptions for their libraries).
• Listing items for your insurance policy / will
• Getting to grips with your book-buying budget and spending habits

• Planning writing projects – books, novels, dissertations
• Research – for an historical novel, non-fiction books, articles
• Accountability sessions – providing clients who prefer to work independently with a space in which to discuss progress and set and share goals and targets

Specialist expertise/experience

Private Library, Archive and Collection Management

I hold a Masters degree in Information and Library Studies and wrote the core textbook used to teach librarians how to catalogue. When I’m not organising people’s books and papers, I’m working on the new edition (following a major change in the international cataloguing rules).

Virtual Organising

During my Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, I focused on blended learning, using online delivery to supplement and consolidate work in class. As well as running in-person training for heritage professionals, I hold monthly seminars and online courses, and I have developed a virtual organising space using the same learning software, so that clients and I can share and store information between Zoom sessions.

Other Relevant Qualifications

Many (though not all) of my clients are creatives. As well as an MA (Hons) in English Language and Literature from the University of St Andrews, I hold a PG Certificate in Creative Writing from University of Newcastle and am completing a Certificate in Crime Writing at West Dean College. I also have a TQUK Level 2 Certificate in Dementia Care, which is helpful in supporting some clients who are working with their family to ensure appropriate listing and estate planning.