Sue Lithgow

After graduating from Lampeter University in 1986, I joined the library and information profession more by accident than by design, when I took a 'temporary' job as a library assistant with the Isle of Wight Cultural Services Department. I 'temporarily' stayed for three years but in my final year a chance happening led to an additional role as the relief librarian at HM Prison Albany. Much to my surprise this chance happening has since shaped my career. I joined the Department of Information and Library Studies, University of Wales Aberystwyth in 1989 as a postgraduate student. In 1994 I completed a PhD thesis which was based on developing performance indicators for prison libraries in England and Wales. For the next two years, I was the holder of a Department for Education and Employment Postdoctoral Research Fellowship which enabled me to continue my research into prison library provision. Since 1997 I have been working as a Development Officer in the Open Learning Unit at Aberystwyth University.

Away from work my interests involve, swimming, walking and beach cleaning. I’m also a volunteer befriender with the Alzheimer’s Society and a volunteer reader with the Aberystwyth Talking Newspaper.

Responsibilities

Production of Distance Learning material " includes editing and copyright clearance. Student support and progress monitoring. Personal tutor. MA Programme Coordinator. Plus some teaching and dissertation supervision

Performance measurement and evaluation; quality assurance; research methods; library and information services to prisoners and disadvantaged groups; information needs and information seeking behaviour of prisoners.