Meet our staff: Helena Schmidt Burg, librarian
For two years, librarian Helena has been working with teaching at the Biomedical Library at the University of Gothenburg. In her job, she meets various student groups to teach them about information retrieval, information management, and how to write references.
Why did you apply for the position at the University of Gothenburg?
I specifically applied to the Biomedical Library at the University of Gothenburg because I had heard very positive things about them at networking events for librarians. Working at one of the largest higher education institutions in Sweden and having access to the great variety that it entails was also something that attracted me to apply here.
What might a typical workday look like?
It varies, and a workday can involve so many different things, which is one of the things I appreciate about my job. My main task is to meet student groups for teaching in information retrieval and management of scientific sources. In addition to teaching, I also staff the information desk where I meet students who come into the library. Then there are also meetings related to planning and improving our teaching.
What's the best thing about working at the University of Gothenburg?
The opportunity to meet so many different types of students! From students in cultural heritage to those studying to become doctors, each group has its own needs and expectations, making my work very rewarding and challenging. It gives me a changed perspective on what knowledge is because it means different things depending on who you talk to.
Another thing I appreciate about working at the University of Gothenburg is the opportunity to learn new things. There are skills development opportunities around AI and how to approach it, but also courses on how to improve teaching. Additionally, there are opportunities to attend conferences and networking events. So, we learn while we teach, which is very exciting!