First Term as an IHR Library Graduate Trainee

This blog was written in October by Lara Short, Graduate Trainee Library Assistant at the IHR Library.

I graduated from Goldsmiths, University of London with BA History in 2023. During my studies, I undertook several archive and heritage internships which sparked my interest in the possibility of a career in information and records management.

When I came across the Graduate Trainee role at the IHR, it felt like the perfect opportunity to combine my growing interest in librarianship with my passion for history. I was keen to learn as much about the field as possible and gain practical experience in this area. Of course, the chance to work among historical books in such an iconic building was the cherry on top!

This is the first year that the IHR has had two library trainees. Not only did I find it very comforting in my first week to be starting the role with someone else in the same position, but having Sarah to share experiences and challenges with has made the transition even smoother.

Senate House, home of the IHR, and a nearby Bloomsbury Square

One of my favourite aspects of the role has undoubtedly been responding to reader enquiries. It’s an excellent way to gain insight into the broad scope of the library’s collections. The variety of topics we receive queries about never ceases to amaze me—from the Match Girls’ Strike correspondence and 13th century Hampshire churches to animal fighting and the history of sustainable fashion. Getting the chance to do bits of research and interact with the collections truly satisfies my love for history, and I’m quickly discovering just how much the library has to offer. My interest in the history of recordkeeping is particularly well connected to my role here, especially with the wealth of diaries and commonplace books in the collections.

A major focus of my role so far has been preparing for History Day, which involved extensive planning, collaboration, and website design. The History Day Fair on 5 November was a huge success, and it felt wonderful to witness everyone’s hard work come together for a truly memorable event that brought together over 70 organisations and hundreds of attendees from across the UK—and even beyond.

I’ve been getting to grips with the digital side of the role, including website and social media management, online resources, and scanning and printing services. I found this digital element particularly appealing when I applied, and it’s been exciting to see how these tools not only improve accessibility but also contribute to the growth of digital humanities.

I was thrilled to be encouraged to make my own acquisition suggestions within my first few weeks here, and quickly familiarised myself with the library’s collections policy and its particular strengths, which include local history, US history, and historiography. Sarah and I were also introduced to the process of cataloguing through the donation of an assortment of interwar women’s home and lifestyle magazines, which was a really hands-on experience. Another project I have been working on is the reclassification of the Latin American collection. I’m excited to promote this area throughout the year, as we have a vast range of materials that we may not be most widely known for.

The less creative task of renewing memberships has nevertheless been enjoyable. I’ve found it fascinating to read about the wide range of research interests among our users, which truly reflects the breadth and depth of the library’s collections. Seeing how these resources are utilised by such a diverse group—academics, students, and private researchers alike—shows that the library really is a place where anyone can engage with history.

The IHR Wohl Library

The staff away day in September offered an opportunity to meet the wider IHR team, discuss the Institute’s strategy, and learn more about its position within SAS and the University of London. Since then, I’ve attended a conservation session, a digital accessibility course, and the Sources to Data research training course, all of which have deepened my understanding of how readers use our sources. This training has also been incredibly beneficial to my own interests, and I feel fortunate to experience such an overlap between my role and personal passions.

A few weeks ago, I attended my first cpd25 trip to the Wiener Holocaust Library, and later this month we will be visiting the library at Shakespeare’s Globe. Cpd25 is the staff development and training programme of the M25 consortium of academic libraries. It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to explore so many libraries and archives across London, and I look forward to discovering their unique features and comparing them throughout the year. The IHR Library is organised geographically, with some subject collections, such as military and ecclesiastical history. I particularly appreciate that material is acquired in its original language, and I was surprised to learn that over half the collection is not in English, despite the library’s extensive British history holdings. I love the challenge of working with materials in different languages and having the chance to improve my language skills on a daily basis.

From January onwards, I’m looking forward to working on more projects at the IHR, including Reviews in History, the Bibliography of British and Irish History, and Interviews with Historians, a collection of audio interviews with eminent historians, made by the IHR in 2008. Within the library team, we will be revising our collection guides and preparing for the upcoming transition to a new Library Management system. I’m also excited to put my passion for London’s history to good use researching and planning library-related content for the IHR Summer School, as well as pursuing my personal goal of diversifying the library’s London collection throughout the year.

It feels like just yesterday that I was being shown around the library and introduced to the IHR team—time has truly flown by. It’s been a busy few months, and I’ve already learned so much. I love how varied the role is, with something new to tackle every day. Looking ahead, I’m excited for the many opportunities to further my understanding of librarianship that the rest of the year holds.

Lara would like to do a MA in Library and Information Science or Archives and Records Management after completing her traineeship. Her interests include nineteenth-century history of London, people’s history, histories of race and migration, and the history of recordkeeping.

To find out more about becoming a Graduate Trainee Library Assistant at the Institute of Historical Research and apply for the 2025/26 intake, click here.

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