Robin Green first joined us at Warwick back in 1985 and has been our Librarian here at Warwick for 9 years. Having recently retired, we took the opportunity to speak with Robin to hear more about his time at Warwick and the changes he's seen over the past 37 years.

Robin’s dedication and expertise will be greatly missed across our community and we wish him the very best for his retirement.

Hi Robin! Can you start by telling us a bit more about your first role here at Warwick and why you decided to work here?

I was working at the University of Glasgow Library on an equivalent to our Grade 4 when I saw Warwick’s advert for a post as Counter Librarian, which is responsible for the frontline book loans and general reference services. I liked the description of the post, which was about dealing directly with Library users and was on a higher grade. I also liked the description of the University, so I applied.

To my surprise, I was asked at interview what musical instrument I played. I also remember the distinct shock when I said the drums, but I still got the job!

At that time the issue desk was a metal-covered island in the centre of the entrance area where our gates are now, so Library users came in on one side and left on the other. There were only around 6000 students at that time – if it was still there today, they’d be flowing over the top of the desk as well as around it!

But, it was a great role as it was before any self-service loan capabilities and the Web, so we interacted all the time with our users at the issue and enquiry desks and got to know them well.

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What will you miss most about working at Warwick?

Well, if I am allowed to say three things….

The buzz for one thing. People talk about the Warwick bubble – I think of it as a pressure cooker: we’re full of students and academics, who are amongst the best in the country and beyond. I feel energised all the time, and I know other staff feel the same.

Summer term is my favourite time of year, when the Library is full to the brim and there’s so much life, tension, joy and occasionally tears. Back in the 80's and 90's when the exams finished the students used to do a massive conga through the Library – and I have to admit that Library staff used to join in.

The second is linked – it’s the people. There’s so much commitment, across all areas of the University, that’s above and beyond it being ‘just’ a job. I left the University in 2005 but later had the opportunity to return and did so partly for that reason. Our people make Warwick special, and it gets under your skin.

The third thing I’ll miss very much is the way the University encourages innovation and initiative. I’ve also found that goes with a lack of territoriality between service providers, with people being focused on what we’re trying to achieve, rather than empire building. That enables us to just get on and do things together. Libraries and librarians are highly collaborative, so I’ve always been grateful to the University for that.

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What has been your proudest moment since working at Warwick?

I’ve been very fortunate to have had lots of proud moments! But one in particular is both special for me personally and also exemplifies that special Warwick character I mentioned.

In the early 90's, the then Registrar asked if anyone was willing to go out to Cyprus and develop a library for the new University of Cyprus, the first University in Greek Cyprus. I said I’d do it.

I’d no experience of doing anything like that and the first students were to arrive at the new University in a year’s time, so it was a significant risk - but Warwick took that risk and said yes. My wonderful wife agreed, so six weeks later my family and I arrived in Cyprus! That was some year, but when the University opened we had students in our Library using our online catalogue and borrowing books.

I was and still am tremendously proud that I helped a country create its first University Library, but I was also proud that it was because of that Warwick characteristic of support for initiative and getting on and doing things.

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How would you say Warwick has changed over the time you’ve been here and how do you think it will change as we head into the future?

Well, for me, the most striking aspect is the University’s growth from 6000 students when I arrived, to the small (not so small!) town it is now. The sheer complexity of keeping it running on a day-to-day basis and operating safely is mind-boggling, and on top of that, there’s always a need to be thinking at a strategic level of the next phase of development, the next initiative, the next REF, etc.

As we head into the future, I very much hope that we will retain that willingness to try out new initiatives and be on the edge – plus be willing to 'fail' as well as succeed.

I also hope we remain at our core a campus-based institution, as I think that contributes to what a 'Warwick student’ and alumnus is. Of course, how that campus experience is delivered might be extended if virtual reality becomes, well, a future reality.

I could give many examples, but I’ll choose something rather prosaic that’s linked to the Library’s pressure on space.

We must have a physical campus that enables us to understand with great granularity how it is being used, coupled with systems and tools to complement this, so we have the ability to plan courses, study and work places, services, facilities and buildings – the whole University - designed from evidence to deliver a brilliant experience for all.

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And finally, what is one piece of advice you would give to new members of staff at Warwick?

Get out there and get to know as many people from as many different parts of the University as you can. There’s plenty of opportunities. It’s like browsing the Library bookshelves at random – you never know what you’re going to come across, but it will expand your horizons, so nothing is wasted. Plus, you might just find key connections that stimulate new interdisciplinary research, a lifelong friendship, or – well – you never know what.