Hi all
As the person who had the original idea for this list back in 1997, and who set
it up and has run it ever since (greatly assisted for several years now by my
(now ex-) colleague Rowena) I'd like to remind people of the purpose of this
list.
I set this list up primarily to help ME Charter :-) I wasn't Chartered at the
time and I wanted to be. I qualified back in 1994 but for various reasons (job
changes, new projects etc) had put off Chartering. Back in 1997 I was paranoid
about being oblivious to some major issues in Librarianship and looking foolish
in my PDR (paranoia about looking stupid drives many people to great things!). So
I decided to pick other peoples' brains for reassurance :-). And of course I
hoped the list would prove useful to the other members too - I am quite generous
really :-)
After eventually Chartering in 2002 (I needed the Old Regulations Final Deadline
to finally end my years of procrastinization!) I decided to carry on running the
list with Rowena (who's also been Chartered for a few years now but still wants
to provide constructive support to current candidates), to provide a forum for
mutual support of those working towards a professional qualification I value and
believe in.
I originally intended that this list would provide a forum for Charter
candidates to discuss issues concerning the profession as a whole (as required
in Professional Development Reports or PDRs), as well as issues specific to the
Chartering process. One of the issues of concern to the profession may well be
how much we are paid, how we are perceived, the value of Chartering at all, etc.
But that often seems to be all we discuss, and discussion always seems to end up
with some people feeling hurt because of insensitive remarks made by others who
in some cases have no intention of ever Chartering.
I agree that the value of Chartering, the role of CILIP, the pay and status of
Librarians are real and valid concerns for the profession. However, in order to
discuss those issues *on this list*, an intention to actually Charter, or to
support those who WANT to Charter, and not make scornful or disparaging remarks
about the process or those involved in it, is required. Especially as there are
now so many other fora (e.g. lis-cilip) within which to discuss those wider
issues without having to believe in Chartering. I think that when Chartering
candidates are talking of leaving the list because they don't like the tone or
content of messages being sent by people who are in some cases NOT intending to
Charter, then I must start to think about drawing a line. This is not intended
to stifle discussion, just move it to a more appropriate place. As I have said,
there are many other places where you can moan about CILIP's role (i.e. their
own jiscmail list, lis-cilip, where you can be sure that those higher within
CILIP's structure will read your points of view). However when strands of
discussion threaten to distract from the purpose of this list (to support those
who want to Charter) and even make them want to leave, then enough is enough. Of
course, if anyone disagrees, feel free to contact me, or even to set up a
jiscmail list discussing the topics you wish to discuss :-)
Lesha
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Lesha Fossey MA MCLIP
Assistant Librarian, Circulation Services
University of Exeter
Stocker Road TEL: 01392 263878
Exeter FAX: 01392 263871
EX4 4PT E-MAIL: [log in to unmask]
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