It seems that some places go to any length to avoid the word "librarian" in
job titles. I work in an academic library without a single librarian.
There are Library Assistants, Information Co-ordinators Information
Specialists, and even the head of library and information services isn't a
librarian, he is a Director!
Could this be an attempt to move away from the "dull librarian" image many
of us have experienced? I found out, when I applied for insurance for my
motorbike, just what images some people have of librarians. Most of the
insurance people I spoke to were surprised when I told them I'm a librarian
(which in the end is what I am, although it's not obvious from my job
title) - it seems that librarians aren't perceived as the kind of people
who have interests like bikes! Luckily the positive benefit of this is low
insurance premiums as we are considered "safe". I also found I was classed
as anything from administration assistant to manager on the insurance
quotes depending on which company I spoke to. I think this is because
people really don't know much about what we do. I didn't find as many with
the classification Librarian as Nigel Sturt.
Unlike so many people on the list, I am lucky enough to have a job I enjoy
and think I am being paid fairly. I'm sure much of this is because I have
been able to move to take up the best opportunities. I moved from Norwich
to Exeter for my trainee year (hello Lesha!), then to Loughborough for my
Masters and to Birmingham for my current job. I realise many people have
all sorts of reasons for not moving and I'm lucky my husband has been
prepared to move with me each time.
No-one has chartered here for about 7 years - it doesn't make any
difference to salaries and no-one minds or takes you less seriously if you
don't. I hope become chartered this year though. I'm doing it because I
think it's important to prove you are prepared to continue learning after
you have left university and you never know when you might need it when
applying for jobs in the future.
I think many people, not just librarians, have problems with their careers
especially when they are starting out. For example, teachers have faced
constant (often very negative) media attention over the last few years and
are equally keen for their image/pay/conditions to improve and to regain
the general respect they used to have.
Debra
ps I'm fairly sure the official name for a group of librarians is a sheaf.
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Debra Mallett
Information Specialist (Life & Health Sciences)
Library & Information Services
Aston University
Birmingham
B4 7ET
UK
Tel: 0121-359 3621 x4410
Fax: 0121-359 7358
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
LIS Homepage: http://www.aston.ac.uk/lis/
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