So what Susan is saying here is that we actually have to belong to the LA or
CILIP not only to become chartered in the first place, but also simply to
continue to describe ourselves as Chartered Librarians! Given that the LA
(like all professional bodies)is basically a posh trade union and that are
career options are limited while we remain uncharted, this is in effect a
"closed shop". And as "closed shops" are outlawed under the Trade Union
reforms on the 1980's, one might argue that in belonging to the LA, we
effectively belong to an illegal organisation.
The requirement to continue to belong to the LA once we have Chartered
throws up the interesting question of what value the Charter is. To gain the
Charter all we have to do is describe and analyse our professional
development in 4k - 6k words over (as a minimum) our first professionally
qualified year. As to even become simply a librarian we will have gained at
least one degree if not a post grad diploma or second degree, this can
hardly said to be particularly difficult. And that's it! Yet the LA places
so much value on its award of Chartership it wants to disown us if we stop
being members. Either the LA is really, really desperate for are fees or its
view of value of Chartership is radically different from the reality.
No doubt the LA has a different view and I'm sure we will all look forward
to Susan's response.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Susan Kay" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, January 14, 2002 4:56 PM
Subject: Definite possibilities
> I am delighted to see so much enthusiasm being generated about getting
> submissions completed and into the LA before too much more time has
elapsed.
> I thought that at this point in the discussion you might like a little
> clarification on the points which have been raised so far.
>
> Firstly, to reassure all of you, no candidate will be inconvenienced by
the
> unification of the LA and the IIS. All candidates may complete their
> Chartership under the Regulations in force at the time of their
Registration
> as a candidate.
>
> Lesha is perfectly correct in her assumption about membership. Neither
> candidates in the final stages of chartering nor those who have previously
> gained their Chartership (and have therefore earned the postnominals ALA)
> would be able to become an Associate or retain their Associateship if they
> are not in current membership of the LA. If you are not in membership you
> may not describe yourself as a Chartered Librarian or use the
postnominals.
>
>
> The next point to consider is the question of which postnominals will you
> earn? Anyone who achieves Associateship before unification will become an
> ALA (Associate of the Library Association). Those who achieve their
> chartership after unification or who are previously ALA will become MCLIP
> (Member of the Chartered Institute of Library & Information
Professionals).
> In order to make this change as clear as possible, this department will be
> issuing a form of words which ALAs may add to their CVs to explain the
> discrepancy between the qualification earned and the new postnominals.
>
> The last point is that of the potential changes to the regulations. From
> the date of unification to the end of December, 2004, we will be operating
> under Transitional Arrangements which will take into account and make
> changes to the anomalies which have been identified in the current
> regulations. During that period a full membership consultation will be
> carried out regarding the format for the new regulations which we hope to
> put in place following that date.
>
> I hope that this clarifies all the points mentioned. If anyone would like
> to contact me directly please do not hesitate to use the details below.
>
> May I take this opportunity to wish you all the best of luck with your
> submissions and hope that all this New Year enthusiasm can be sustained
for
> as long as you need it.
>
> Susan Kay
> Professional Adviser
> Professional Qualifications Department
> [log in to unmask]
> T: 020 7255 0612
>
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