My role as exhibitions officer in the Library means that I am responsible for planning and coordinating a mixed programme of internal and external touring exhibitions. I also act as the Library’s registrar by organising the movement of loans coming in and going out of the Library. Being a registrar is a pivotal role in the choreography of an item loan, a process that can take over a year. I receive various loan requests from the UK and overseas, and sometimes my work – and that of my colleagues in the department – involves couriering and transporting items.
On the ferry
I enjoy the diversity in my work; every day presents a different challenge with new faces to meet, plus life on the road gets me out of the office from time to time!
The Library has its own van that is fully compliant with Government standards for transporting national collections. With air-ride suspension and environmental control, we are the only institution in Wales with transport to this standard. As a result of this and our renowned expertise in handling collections we are often requested to transport our own collections and those of other institutions and private collectors.
Delivering at Mount Stuart
Coordinating the detailed logistics involved in transporting collections is our speciality. Within the department we have a team of qualified art / collection handlers and a transport & technical support manager to ensure that everything goes smoothly. However life on the road isn’t glamorous; it requires stamina and the ability to uphold a professional image even when tired. For example, last week my colleagues travelled to Mount Stuart on the Isle of Bute off the west coast of Scotland to deliver a collection of manuscripts, plans and drawings that were previously on deposit at the Library. They then travelled down to Chepstow to de-install and collect a loan from Chepstow Museum before returning to Aberystwyth. The journey started at 4.30am on Monday morning and finished on Wednesday evening after an epic 930 miles on the road!
Jaimie Thomas, Exhibitions Officer