TCPID Graduate Ciaran Moran permanent contract with The Library of Trinity College Dublin

Our graduate Ciaran Moran has recently received a permanent contract working with The Library of Trinity College Dublin.

Ciaran completed the Certificate in Arts, Science and Inclusive Applied Practice in June 2022. He then did a 6 month internship with the National Lottery, which finished in March 2023.

Ciaran had expressed a strong interest in working in a library, so the team in The Library of Trinity College Dublin agreed to offer Ciaran an internship there starting in June 2023. The internship was originally for 6 months, but this was then further extended. In February of this year, Ciaran applied for a permanent job as a Library Assistant and was thrilled to be offered the role.

We are all incredibly proud of Ciaran and very grateful to the amazing team in the Library for everything that they have done to support him during his time working there. Particular thanks go to Siobhan Dunne, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Peter Dudley, Dererca Nolan and Gerard Garrahan.

Here is an interview with Ciaran, along with some quotes from his family and from his colleagues in the Library.

Click here to listen to an audio recording of the interview with Ciaran conducted by Marie Devitt

Ciaran Moran

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your background?

My name is Ciaran Moran. I live with my parents in Co. Meath. I have two older brothers. My interests are cycling, walking, hiking. I love meeting new people. I love hanging out with my friends. I like going to the cinema. I’m also a big soccer fan.

Tell us about Trinity College, and your time here as a student and what the experience was like.

I started the course in September 2020. It was during Covid. It was all completely online for the first year. It was very difficult getting used to using the computer, using Zoom, Microsoft Teams. Trying to do lectures online, trying to concentrate, doing our presentations online as well, which was difficult enough and also trying to socialise with our classmates. That was very hard as we didn’t get to know each other properly until second year.

How did you get to know them actually?

In first year we didn’t really because we were all in different locations but in second year we got to know each other because we were back on campus for two days a week so there was more socialising and mixing.

And did you prefer being in person?

Oh absolutely. I much preferred being in person because there is nothing like the real in person contact.

So your class was one of the hardest hit by Covid.

Yes, student orientation and everything were all online.

I suppose being able to access everything online with the new laptops helped because everyone had what they needed – right?

Yes, the laptops were a great help from the Rory McDonagh Trust. They really helped because we would have struggled without them. If we didn’t have a laptop and we were trying to do everything on our phones, it just wouldn’t have worked. We wouldn’t have been able to do our assignments or anything.

Actually, that’s where it all started with the laptops, so your class are probably the most skilled at the online stuff. Better than anyone.

Yes definitely. We had to get used to it very quickly.

But coming back in second year was definitely a highlight.

Yes much, much better.

What was your favourite thing about your time as a student in Trinity?

I suppose getting to know my classmates. Having lunch with them. Doing sports in the Sports Centre was really good as well because it was a different place to go to and we were on the campus and we could try lots of different sports.

Also the graduation was really fantastic because all the hard work had paid off. It was a very special day.

How did you feel going up and getting your parchment?

It was unbelievable, really special.

So you mentioned the Sports Centre, so what did you enjoy the most there? Did you join any clubs or was it just the classes that you loved in the Sports Centre?

I just enjoyed the classes. They were fun and it was nice to kind of get away from studying and trying to concentrate in classes. It was nice to try new sports that I never did before.

What type of things did you try?

I tried tennis. I think we did handball as well. And we did soccer, basketball. I think we did kind of like a circuit thing as well. Learning how to do lots of different exercises for warm up and everything.

And, given that you are now working in the Library, did you ever use the Library as a student?

So when we were students, unfortunately Covid restrictions were still in place, so we did use it once or twice. We did the orientation there, but it was only a few of us. The second time we used it with Des for a research project. So Geraldine showed us how to kind of use the catalogue and how to find the books. She showed everybody, this is how you find you books etc.

So you couldn’t just go in?

No, but I do remember returning a book on a machine.

I think because people weren’t able to use it for a while, they appreciate it so much more.

Definitely. There are way more people in it now.

What were your favourite modules on the Certificate in Arts, Science and Inclusive Applied Practice?

So my favourite modules would have been Disability Rights because we learnt everything disability and our rights. Also we did a thing with the Minister where we asked him in for an event and asked him questions about employment for people with intellectual disabilities. That was really great. It was really special.

Also, Occupational Therapy. Having one-to-one sessions with Barbara.

Also, the Work Experience module with you and Barbara. That was really good as well.

Researching with Des. Poetry with John. And the Sports Centre.

That’s everything. You loved everything.

Basically yes.

That’s great to hear that from you. And you mentioned the Work Placement module, so where did you do your work placement?

So I did my work placement in the National Lottery. That was fun, really fun, getting to shadow in all of the departments to see what goes on in each department. It was really good. A good learning experience.

And I think you did such a good job that they invited you back. Actually you were the first student ever to go into the National Lottery, so you set the bar very high. You did a really, really good job and all the team loved you so much so they invited you back which was a really great experience.

Yeah it was really good.

So you were invited back to the National Lottery to do your first internship, so do you want to tell us a little bit about that and the work that you did there?

So, when I was doing my internship in the National Lottery I was working in the mailroom with Mya, Zagita and the manager Brian. So my duties were to open the post, check the post, write checklists for claim forms for customers who sent in their scratch cards who were a bit unsure if they won something or not. After that I would deliver the claim forms to the Claims department so that they could process them. I would collect post that the Claims department had to send them out to the people who won the money.

I also did the filing for the checklist for the Lotto draws that they did in the Lottery. I was responsible for making sure that they were all in order. I would have to write the Draw Manager’s name on it so the Draw Manager would know to collect this checklist and file it for any auditing reasons.

That is actually such a responsible role, because you are effectively handling money. These are tickets that often win people lots of money so for them to trust you that much with that role is a real credit to you. We are very proud of you.

So how long were you in the National Lottery?

So, I was in there for 6 months, so from September 2022 to March 2023.

And I remember you said to me that you had always thought that you might like to work in a library. So the minute you told me that I had plans for the Library here. So do you want to tell us a little bit about when you started your internship in the Library.

So, it was last July actually. It was really great. Fantastic! So I suppose the duties that I was doing there were, first of all I was putting books back on shelves that had to be reshelved, checking for books that were marked as lost, seeing they were actually lost or not. I also do weeding, so if they have old editions of books they have to go off the book shelves because there is not much room for them anymore, especially if they buy new editions of books. But the good thing is that when they do that, they send the old versions off to some charity so they are not gone to waste. It’s a really good idea.

I also work on the counter. So, when I work on the counter I serve students and staff and I search for books for them as well. I also show them to see where the books are. So if they can’t find a book I would go up to them and see if the book is on the shelf. I would bring them up and explain to them you know, this is the History section, this is the Law section and then check if the book is in the right place. If it’s not, then I would check if it’s in the sorting area. So they put them there before they actually put them back on the shelves. Student shelvers do that. And then if you can’t find a book, I would just check in the records, see when it was last checked out. If it was checked out a long time ago, we would just mark it as lost. I would notify someone in the library and hopefully they might buy a new copy of the book. It depends how many copies of the book there are.

Also, inclusion, I love doing inclusion videos with Siobhan and Geraldine.

So tell me a little bit about that. What does that involve.

So, it’s for the TCPID students here, so it just was getting them to see where the different parts of the Library are to make it as easy as possible for them. So, showing them like where the barrier is, how to use the barrier, where the toilets are.

So you do the video of doing it?

Yes, so showing them, like…..on you left are the toilets, the barrier is straight ahead, here are the library guards, any problem you can go to the library guards. How to use the counter, if you want to collect a book, if you want to speak to someone, how to use the machines…

And obviously it’s like a full circle so you are supporting our new students coming in. So that’s amazing for them to have you.

And what’s your absolute favourite thing about working in the Library?

Socialising with my colleagues, my work colleagues. getting to know them really well. Serving students and staff on the counter. Chatting to them and giving them a first-class customer experience.

Again that is such trust in you that they put you front of house in the Library.

Yes and also the inclusion as well. I love doing that as well.

And how do your colleagues support you then in the Library?

So my colleagues have supported me from the very beginning. They were really supportive. I felt very welcomed as part of a team. Straight away I could ask them any question. They were very approachable. I couldn’t ask for a better team really.

So who do you work with mostly?

So I work with my Line Manager Gerard and with Peter, but I also work with Siobhan and Geraldine on the inclusion projects. And also the other counter team as well. They are all very easy to approach and they offer advice as well. If there are things coming up they say it to me.

And I think they can see such potential in you and they are encouraging you to go for things.

So can you tell me about the new role, how you heard about it and what you had to do to get it?

The new role was a Twilighter role. It’s a Library Assistant job. So I heard about it when they advertised it on the staff emails. So if you are interested in a job in the Library you have to express an interest in it and then depending on how many people go for it you do a chat or an interview.

So when you do the chit chat they say, - ...okay thanks for expressing an interest in the job…

Depending on certain factors, but with mine, he just goes - ....congratulations you got the job. Now that you are a permanent member of the Library team , down the line you can apply for other jobs.

And how did you feel when you found out that you were permanent?

Unbelievable! It was a really proud moment because all the hard work paid off. And they know that you can definitely do this job and it shows that they really trust you.

Congratulations! It’s such a credit to you that you got it. Its nerve-wracking to put yourself forward, but you did it and you got it! And the more you do that, the more confidence you’ll get.

They’re very strange the interview chats. They’re kind of formal but they’re not.

Yeah, so they want to put you at ease, so it’s not super formal and because they know you already, but you still have to prepare. So were you nervous going in to it?

Oh yes. You’re also nervous because you don’t know how many people have applied for it.

And you would have put a lot of work into getting ready for that and that is such a credit to you, so you earned it.

So you are now a permanent member of staff in Trinity College Dublin which is unbelievable. And this is only the start of your career journey which is amazing.

So what do you like most about Trinity and being a staff member of Trinity?

There is so much vibrancy, so much energy. There is so much going on. There is never a dull moment I suppose.

That’s true. That’s why I love it as well actually.

There is so much going on. You meet so many different people, tourists, everything, asking you so many different things. And also there is so much to do in it. It’s so big, you can walk around and get lost in it.

Yeah exactly. It’s lovely and especially in the Library you come out and there is greenery all around you

Also it’s really accessible to get to. It’s right in the city centre. You don’t have to worry about anything for transport because everything goes to the city centre. It’s so easy to get to.

So you get the bus from Navan. A direct bus right?

Yes.

So hopefully you see your future in Trinity long-term?

Oh I’m definitely staying. I’m definitely staying.

And there are so many opportunities

Yes in the Library there’s always different jobs coming up in different sections.

And the thing is you’re in there now, you’re doing a brilliant job and opportunities will present themselves as you go through.

So the new role that you’re starting in September is great but aren’t you going in next week to start another project as well.

I am doing some project work with Siobhan and Geraldine, thinking about inclusion for the students here and also for disability students, trying to make the Library more accessible and to remove any barriers for students with disabilities because I, as a person with a disability, understand how difficult it can be to go into a big massive library. It can be a bit intimidating because it’s so big and you can get lost so easily. You don’t even know where you are going. It’s not easy to find your way around.

So you are going to help them to try and make it more accessible and inclusive.

Yes, to remove as many barriers as possible.

So that’s for July and August, isn’t it?

Yes

So congratulations on that as well because they invited you back as an extra thing which is brilliant.

So, one thing I wanted to ask you was how do you think you’ve changed personally since you started way back in 2020?

Well I’ve definitely got more confident. More belief I suppose. I’ve also learnt so many new skills, for example public speaking skills which I do not particularly like but it’s part of any job really, unfortunately. It’s a very, very important skills to have. Previously I never had to do it, so when something new comes along it can be a bit scary. But also I want to thank all the TCPID team for all the support they have offered me – Marie, Barbara and all the tutors. The support was amazing, during the course and after the course. I really appreciate it.

I do remember you and everyone who has ever done this course saying, - I’ll never be able to do presentations... They are terrified of them and in nearly every module you have to do some, don’t you?

And that’s the good thing about it isn’t it. Even though when you’re a student you go…..oh no.. but you know long-term it’s stands to you.

And you know what I really admire about you and about all your classmates, is that even though something makes you nervous you do it anyway. And then isn’t there such a feeling of achievement.

Oh definitely, if you don’t do it, you might regret it because you need to push yourself.

And one thing that I might add in is that I remember your Marketing project with Phil, or maybe it was the Entrepreneurship one..

I think it was Entrepreneurship.

Both of them were outstanding but I do remember that Phil was so blown away by your project and your presentation that she just couldn’t believe how good it was. And do you remember what your project was about?

I think it was a Gaming Café. It was actually really fun because you had to come up with an idea that you were really interested in and I think if you’re interested in something you really want to do more about it. It’s not a pain to do it. You’re doing it because you want to do it and because you’re interested in it.

And I remember to this day that Phil couldn’t believe how brilliant you did. Well done on that.

So finally what are your goals for the future?

My goals for the future are to live independently and to work full time. I suppose to promote inclusion in the Library, to keep working on inclusion in the Library to make it more accessible for students and staff with disabilities.

We are all so, so proud of you.

Is there anything else that you want to say to the people in the Library?

Just to thank them for all the support that they have given me and making me feel so at home and from day one it has been such a positive experience. Also in the National Lottery as well. It really stands to you when you do the internships because the skills you get are so good. You can’t buy skills, you can’t buy this experience. You can’t beat this experience when you are going for a job because it stands so much to you.

From Ciaran's Parents:

We, Ciaran's parents are so proud of what he has achieved through his ASIAP course in Trinity College, He has worked hard over the 2 years and we are very appreciative of the support and mentoring he has received from Marie and all the team on the TCPID team, He has now gained permanent position in the Library, he is supported by the lovely staff there and is very happy in his employment.

From Gerard Garrahan, the Library of Trinity College Dublin:

In the short time that he has been with us, Ciarán has become an important part of the library's Readers' Services team. He always goes out of his way to help a reader if they are experiencing difficulties..

From Geraldine Fitzgerald, the Library of Trinity College Dublin:

As well as being a willing and enthusiastic collaborator on library UDL initiatives for TCPID students, I find Ciaran very personable, reliable and both a role model and mentor on student experience.