In the US you quite often (if not usually) need a Masters to get
professional library work.
It seems to be viewed in a similar way to that in which the Charter is
seen over here.

Most UK library posts I've seen advertised require a degree level
qualification,
and a library qualification, and if you can fulfil both requirements
with one degree,
they seem happy.

The main exception seems to be some subject work, where they like you to
have 
a degree (or demonstrable knowledge to a similar level) in the subject-
some special
libraries (like  botanic gardens, for instance) also like subject
knowledge.  These posts are in 
the minority compared to those above.

Carol.



> -----Original Message-----
> From: list for CILIP members working towards MCLIP status 
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ann-Emily Brew
> Sent: 15 January 2004 10:51
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: message to list members
> 
> 
> Hello,
> 
> Can I just check something that has been confusing me amongst 
> all these
> e-mails please ? Are there jobs out there that actually 
> demand an MA/MSc
> for a librarian post ? I thought a library qualification was what was
> necessary, and it didn't matter whether it was a first or 
> second degree ? I
> know some very specialist posts like a person to have subject 
> knowledge,
> but I thought they were the exception, rather than the rule. 
> As someone
> that's new to librarianship, I was hoping my first degree and (future)
> chartership was enough to get me started.
> 
> Can anyone answer this ?
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Ann Brew
> Assistant Librarian
> BMA Library
> 
> 
> 
> 
>                       Edmund Chamberlain
>                       <ed.chamberlain@LONDONLIB        To:    
>    [log in to unmask]
>                       RARY.CO.UK>                      cc:
>                       Sent by: list for CILIP          bcc:
>                       members working towards          
> Subject:  Re: message to list members
>                       MCLIP status
>                       <[log in to unmask]
>                       C.UK>
> 
> 
>                       15/01/04 10:01
>                       Please respond to Edmund
>                       Chamberlain
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Firstly, I'm new to this list, so hello to all, and I look 
> forward to using
> it
> as a helpful resource in my Route A Chartership, which I am 
> starting this
> month.
> Vased on recent posts and a look at the archives, i've got two points:
> i)As a recent Library school graduate, I saw chartership as 
> simply the new
> step up the ladder. Whilst I am still optimistic that it will 
> help me in my
> career,
> I realise that it means little to those outside of the 
> profession, unlike
> say
> chartered accounancy, which is recognised by all. This is 
> partly due to the
> lack of recognition we recive professionally as a whole (many 
> of my fellow
> students at Loughborough were amazed you needed an MA to be a 
> Librarian,
> somthing they saw akin to working at Tescos!). However, could 
> CILIP not be
> more active in championing us??
> 
> ii)Secondly, I realise this is not the place to discuss opposition to
> CILIP,
> although I would very much like to see such a discussion take 
> place. When i
> compare our high fees to those of other proffessional 
> organisation that my
> peers are members of (i.e. law, accountancy, engineering) we 
> do not pay as
> much, and the benefits are slim, especially given the lack of 
> recognition
> we
> recive. As far as i am aware, CILIP has a monopoly on us. We 
> need to pay a
> sizeable amount to be in it, and need it to progress in our 
> careers. But
> outside the cozy (or not so cozy) world of our Librarys, what 
> is it really
> doing for us in terms of pay and recogntion?? Prehaps it would be more
> pro-active  if it had competition, and saw its regular income 
> decline as
> people go elsewhere. Could CILIP be changed from within, or 
> would it requre
> external pressure?? I would like to see this discussion continue, but
> elsewhere, were it will not distract me from my work too much!
> 
> just my twopence ;-)
> Ed Chamberlain
> Systems Assistant
> London Library
> 
> >===== Original Message From Dave Guest <[log in to unmask]> =====
> >Playing devil's advocate (after recently chartering after more years
> >than I care to think about) I am not entirely happy about chartering.
> >Does it really provide evidence of our continuing professional
> >development or is it the practice element of a theory based 
> course? Do
> >those who have chartered continue the process or do they play lip
> >service to departmental CPD schemes?
> >
> >During the 1970's & 1980's when I was an engineer most factories
> >operated what was known as a closed shop. If you did not 
> belong to the
> >relevant union you did not get the job but the government of the time
> >outlawed this practice for union members but retained and actively
> >encouraged it for the Professions. Membership of professional bodies
> >guarantees the members a protected status & therefore better
> >renumeration think lawyers, solicitors or architects. Whilst other
> >professions use CPD as evidence of their ability to practice think
> >doctors, nurses, physio's etc. So what does chartership give us apart
> >from the satisfaction of jumping through hoops? Our profession is not
> >protected, you are not better renumerated and it gives no real
> >indication of ability to do the job. Where is the evidence that
> >chartership is effective in developing the individual & the 
> profession?
> >
> >It is refreshing that people new to the profession should be
> >enthusiastic but they should also challenge & question the 
> norms rather
> >than just accepting them.
> >
> >Finally removing a pain may be quick but addressing the source of the
> >pain will be more effective.
> >
> >Dave Guest
> >
> >PS Any candidates who wish to visit the Lanchester Library 
> at Coventry
> >will be more than welcome.
> >
> >Lesha Fossey wrote:
> >
> >>Dear everyone
> >>
> >>Fristly, thanks Linda for your positive words.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>>Dear Jo (and anyone else thinking of unsubscribing) - 
> before doing so,
> take
> >>>a look at the list archives on the Jiscmail Web site.  
> You'll see that
> the
> >>>disucssion of the last few days is not at all typical of this list.
> >>>I chartered in July last year, and found the list 
> incredibly useful in
> terms
> >>>of both information and support. (I even discussed the 
> benefits of my
> list
> >>>subscription in my pdr!)  Don't let the negative postings of a few
> >>>embittered individuals spoil it for the rest of us.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >>Unfortunately Rowena and I have been forced to make a choice. People
> intending
> >>to Charter and working towards it are saying (on the list 
> and in personal
> emails
> >>to me) that they are unhappy to remain on the list if 
> Emilce Rees remain
> on
> it.
> >>Therefore, as Emilce has stated she is definitely not 
> working towards
> >>Chartering, and has continually voiced her objections to 
> the process, we
> have
> >>reluctantly taken the decision to remove her from the list, 
> in order that
> it
> can
> >>continue to provide support and a positive environment to 
> those for whom
> it
> was
> >>set up.
> >>
> >>I hope you don't feel this is heavy-handed. As a look at the list
> archives
> will
> >>easily demonstrate I am not against vigorous discussion! 
> ;-) But this
> >>particular situation has not improved (after many months) 
> and it must
> end.
> The
> >>basic premise of why we are here on the list has to be 
> borne in mind, and
> I
> am
> >>afraid that when it comes down to it, we'd rather lose Emilce's
> contribution
> >>than that of several active Charter candidates.
> >>
> >>Emilce's email address is in the archives, for any of you 
> who wish to
> continue
> >>discussions directly with her. She may even set up her own email
> discussion
> >>list....
> >>
> >>Lesha
> >>
> >>--
> >>----------------------
> >>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]
> >>
> >>
> 
> Edmund Chamberlain
> Library Systems Assistant
> The London Library
> 14 St James's Square
> London SW1Y 4LG
> Tel: 020 7766 4733
> email: [log in to unmask]
> 
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