Written by Renee Mirabito
In April, together with 36 fellow students, I explored the libraries, museums and archives of sunny Melbourne.
Yes, you heard that right! The sun came out every day for us!
What’s a study visit?
For students enrolled in Information Studies or Teacher Librarianship courses, the study visit is an opportunity to see information organisations at work. We headed to seven locations across Melbourne where we received tours, met professionals in the industry and asked questions about their career paths.
Study visits are held in different locations across Australia and sometimes overseas.
It’s a chance to see how our coursework applies in the real world and explore what it might lead to in the future.
What are the benefits of a study visit?
I got to see how information organisations work on a day-to-day level. Many of the professionals who spoke shared their career journeys. It’s also a chance to network with people already working in the industry, as well as with fellow students.
Being able to meet students and teachers in person after years of study was a great experience. It was fantastic to spend time with a group of people who share my interests and also hear about their career paths so far as well as their plans for the future.
Where did we go?
Across the week, we visited a wide range of information organisations.
We started at the Melbourne Museum to learn about the Biodiversity Heritage Library and then moved on to Melbourne Grammar School to see a school library at work.
The next day, we headed to RMIT, followed by a visit to the Public Record Office Victoria where we were impressed by some very old and very heavy records.
Our third day included a visit to the State Library where we were lucky enough to visit the famous Dome before opening and have a tour of the facility. That afternoon, we visited the Prahran Mechanics Institute Victorian History Library where we saw an impressive collection of local history books, maps and ephemera.
Our last day was spent visiting the Library at The Dock, a public library in Docklands whose incredible makerspace included 3D printers, tools and sewing machines.
Is a study visit fun?
It’s hectic, so I recommend very comfortable shoes. Even so, I had a really good time. If you’re studying, you already know it’s difficult to find the time (and money) to complete things like work placement. When you’re already trying to balance study with work and family, it seems like one more hurdle.
There is a virtual option for the study visit. I nearly took it. But almost every part of my degree has been completed online. And the isolation of an online degree can really sneak up on you.
Being able to visit libraries, museums and archives in person was amazing. I finished the week with very tired feet, an exercise book full of notes and some great new perspectives on future career pathways.
Charlie blog is a SSAF initiative.
