Richard Askam
Maylands,WA
Summary
A PhD graduate and Juris Doctor student who has highly developed academic skills and exceptional analytical and organisational abilities developed working in fast-paced client focused environments. Extensive experience providing administrative support to the community from diverse backgrounds in world class universities including the University of Western Australia the University of Leeds and the University of Manchester.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Library Officer
State Library Of Western Australia
05.2021 - Current
- Assisted patrons in locating materials and utilizing library resources effectively, improving overall satisfaction rates.
Client Support Officer
University of Western Australia Libraries
01.2019 - 12.2019
- Provided excellent client service in four libraries; Barry J
- Marshall Library, Reid Library, Law Library and the Centre for English Language Training (CELT) Library, when handling queries face-to-face, by telephone and by email
- Oversaw and processed the digitisation of journal articles and book chapters required by academics for Unit Readings undertaken by Student Library Officer teams in the Barry J Marshall Library, Reid Library and the Law Library and followed up on requests that could not be fulfilled
- Built solid working relationships with colleagues within the Client Support Officer team and the wider UWA community
- Solved hundreds of queries via UWA’s Client Relationship Management Software (askUWA) and referred others to the correct department including queries that required assistance from Student Services such as those regarding academic transcripts, student cards and change of name and address
- Learned to use new library programs including Smartsuite in the CELT Library, Live Chat and Sitecore web editing software
- Assisted with orientation sessions in Semester one and Semester including providing information on printing, troubleshooting wifi problems, Blackboard
- Helped clients with enrolments via Student Connect
- Processed library membership applications from clients from the community, official visitors to UWA and eligible members from other universities
- Ensured that information pertaining to newly enrolled students at the English Language Training Centre was correct and students were on the library system.
- Facilitated open communication channels between clients and company management through regular reporting structures, fostering stronger working relationships.
Client Support Officer
University of Western Australia Libraries
01.2018 - 08.2018
- Provided excellent client support to library users in helping to locate scholarly digital and hardcopy resources
- Provided student IT support (equipment, software applications and technologies) and lending services in the UWA subject libraries
- Referred inquiries to other UWA departments and liaised with other areas of UWA including Financial Services, IT and Security
- Processed library fines and membership payments
- Prepared Reid Library client tax receipts and daily reconciliation of EFTPOS payments
- Requested and followed up library maintenance issues with UWA Campus Management.
Stock Management Assistant
University of Leeds libraries
06.2016 - 10.2016
- Processed newly purchased stock in the development of library collections
- Prioritised tasks to ensure new items requested by clients were immediately available
- Ensured all bibliographic information concerning processed items on the Library Management System Sierra was accurate and any anomalies rectified
- Undertook stocktaking to identify missing library items, and assessed the library collection for items to be withdrawn.
Casual Library Officer
Law Library, UWA
01.2009 - 01.2013
- Assisted students, academic staff and members of the public by email, in person and by telephone
- Responsible for ensuring that Australian state and Federal government legislation reference materials were current and for withdrawing obsolete materials from the collection
- Ensuring the effective running of the library on both evenings and weekends without direct supervision.
Library Officer
Law and Business Libraries, UWA
05.2008 - 06.2009
- Provided consistent high quality and timely customer service to clients face to face, by email correspondence, via the subject library telephone, and via the central university library Telephone Information Service (TIS)
- Liaised with academic staff in the ordering of course materials for the preparation of reading lists for twenty units per semester
- Digitised materials Course Materials Online in order that every student had equitable access to the resources necessary for the completion of assignments
- Ensured that in-house policies and procedures were updated on a weekly basis
- Responsibility for the processing and meticulous filing of Australian Federal and State legislation, statutes and regulations and withdrawing obsolete material.
Education
J.D. - Law
University of Canberra
Canberra03.2026
PhD - Human Rights
Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA. Faculty of Education And Arts
Perth01.2014
Master of Arts -
Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
Manchester01.2003
BA (Hons) History of Film, Photography and Graphic Media, First Class Honours, Second Division (2:1) -
Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
01.2001
Skills
- Excellence in the provision of client support to academics face to face, via email and Customer Relationship Management software and by telephone
- Well developed self-management skills developed undertaking client support and administrative tasks in large university environments
- Proven commitment to the completion of individual and team tasks with an adaptable, proactive and positive approach
- Clear and engaging written and verbal communication skills when communicating with internal and external clients
- Highly proficient in the use of Microsoft Office, digital resources and databases
- Extensive experience using Information Management Systems
- Meticulous attention to detail in completing tasks
- Information Literacy
Residency Status
Permanent Resident
References
- Mr Nick Vincent, Service Delivery Team Leader Library Experience, University of Western Australia, 6488 7625, nicholas.vincent@uwa.edu.au
- Mr Chris Senior, Collections Development and Management Team Leader, University of Leeds Library, c.m.senior@leeds.ac.uk
- Dr Christopher Crouch (PhD Supervisor), 57 James Street, Perth, WA, 6000, +61 401818633, christopher.crouch@gmail.com
Languages
Spanish
Professional Working
Timeline
Library Officer
State Library Of Western Australia
05.2021 - Current
Client Support Officer
University of Western Australia Libraries
01.2019 - 12.2019
Client Support Officer
University of Western Australia Libraries
01.2018 - 08.2018
Stock Management Assistant
University of Leeds libraries
06.2016 - 10.2016
Casual Library Officer
Law Library, UWA
01.2009 - 01.2013
Library Officer
Law and Business Libraries, UWA
05.2008 - 06.2009
J.D. - Law
University of Canberra
PhD - Human Rights
Edith Cowan University, Perth, WA. Faculty of Education And Arts
Master of Arts -
Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
BA (Hons) History of Film, Photography and Graphic Media, First Class Honours, Second Division (2:1) -
Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
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