Time to go...

Having thought long and hard, I've decided that it's pretty much time to retire. There are various reasons for this - some are personal (and if you know, you know, and if you don't, it's not that important) and others are financial. Quite simply, in order to do my job properly I need to spend a lot of time in front of a computer every day to keep up to date with what's going on in the world of the internet, search and librarianship so that I'm on top of my game when I teach. However, there are very few opportunities to run courses these days, and it seems silly to spend all of that time doing that work when it's hardly being used.

So I'm shutting up shop pretty much at the end of this year. The blog (this one and the social media tools one) will disappear when the account becomes due, and the website will go at the beginning of 2019. I'll write my last CILIP Information Professional column in November - that will probably be the very last 'professional' act that I do. 

I think I've had a pretty good run - I've been a freelance internet consultant since 1995, so I've managed 23 years of finding work for myself, which I think isn't bad. I've written 14 or so books, visited every continent except Antarctica (over 25% of the world's countries) taught at many top universities in the UK, worked for blue chip companies, schools, charities, public and corporate libraries, both Houses of Parliament and the EU. I think the only ambition I was never able to fulfill was to speak at a conference in the US, but I did speak at the Canadian Library Association Conference, and that's only a few miles out. I've been on the board of both Online and Internet Librarian International, the two premier conferences in Europe. I've had the opportunity to work with some of the very best professionals in the world.  I've given speeches, talks, lectures, training sessions and keynotes. I believe that I'm the only person who has written for the Library Association Record, Update and Information Professional. I'll just miss out on being the longest serving contributor, but can't have everything. I spent 4 years in a Presidential role at CILIP, and two of those as President, and that hasn't happened in recent times before. So in professional terms, I think I'll give myself a B+, and I'm content with that. I've met some fantastic people in the whole course of my career, and they have enriched my life. 

I will be posting some thoughts on the places that I've worked, and what I've done, so expect stories from, and opinions about, the British Council, SilverPlatter Information, CILIP and my own work. These will get blogged in due course.

I think that about wraps it up. 

Cheers!

Phil.

 

Comments

[Laura]

Thanks for all the work Phil and best wishes for the future!

[John DiGilio]

Thanks for countless great tip and tricks, Phil! Your blog will be missed in the industry!

[Charles Oppenheim]

Phil, you will be greatly missed. Thanks for all your work, writings, talks and professional involvement over so many years. You really are one of my heroes.

[Carrie Marlowe]

Thanks for all the tips and insights. Your blog will be missed. Best wishes in the future

[Sarah Hinton]

So long, Phil and thanks for all the (information) fish. I, along with many others, have benefited greatly from your wisdom. There will be a large gap on the shelf without you.

[Jackie Murrell]

You have been a total inspiration to me and countless others- for your contribution to librarianship, I would say you are A*! Wishing you a happy retirement and many thanks.

[Helen Ireland]

All the very best, Phil, and I hope all goes well in your retirement. I can’t imagine you being idle but I’ll really miss all your informative posts. You have indeed been an inspiration over the years. Thanks for all your work.

[Neil Infield]

Hi Phil
Definitely an A+ from me.
I still remember how supportive you were at my very first speaking event way back in UKBIC days.
Many thanks for your groundbreaking work opening up the Internet and social media to information professionals. And for your leadership.
Neil Infield

[Anne Storey]

Have been reading your posts etc and attended some of your courses over your 23 years, which were great. What will we do without your input on the IT front now I don't know. Wishing you a long and well-deserved retirement Phil!

[R. C. Rybnikar]

Unlike many of the other commenters, I don't know you in "real life" but your analysis and critiques of new tools has been extremely helpful to me over the years. I will miss your honest questions about everything web-based. You have always inspired me to look deeper into what we do and what we can offer students. Very best of luck to you Phil.

[Bridget Knutson]

You’ve run a course for us in Somerset a few years ago, which was brilliant. I’ve read your articles in the cilip magazine and used the info in them. Have a great retirement, you’ve earned it.

[Roddy MacLeod]

Have very much appreciated your efforts over the past many years. All the best for the future.