Dear All,
Thank you all for your replies - It seems that most of you are in favour of
library assistants chartering. I am aware that it is in the new Framework
(which I have skimmed) and believe it is a consultaion document at this
stage.
I have no problem with assistants becoming chartered, my main concern was
that the future of the profession might radically alter if individuals chose
not to go to university. It seems that we might not remain a graduate
profession.
With the subtle move in some areas within the public sector (mentioning no
counties!) towards recruiting only assistants and phasing out the qualified
librarians I'm envisaging a worrying trend.
The Points of Entry chart on page 4 of the Framework shows a number of ways
to get to seemingly the same level of chartership. Thanks to Rowena for
pointing out that employers will be looking out for degrees and that you do
need a recognised degree for achieving MCLIP status. I was concerned with
the potential for our degrees being devalued.
Another worry for the future (worst case scenario I know!) is that employers
could argue that the chartered assistants do not have a degree and therefore
employ them on a lower grade. If our professional job roles are brought into
line with them, surely our salaries would be more likely to be brought down
in line with our non qualified colleagues instead of theirs coming up to our
level.
I believe a return to the traditional route to chartership would undo a lot
of the work that the LA as a body and librarians have done in recognising us
as a graduate profession.
After all that I have nothing against experienced assistants who have held a
few posts of responisibility in different organisations furthering their
career. If individuals are deemed as eligible for chartership, then I'm
assuming that they shall be paid on the same salary as chartered librarians?
A chartered member of almost any other institute in the country should have
a wide understanding of the major issues and practices of their profession.
OK, rant over, I am still one of the young enthusiastic recruits to the
profession, I promise!
Helena
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Macrae-Gibson,R [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 15 January 2004 14:11
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Assistants as Librarians
>
>
> Helena,
>
> As Laura has pointed out this is covered in the New Framework
> of Qualifications.
> Library Assistants will be able to 'charter', but this will
> be at a lower level of a certification scheme.
> This is why the submission is shorter than the pdr/portfolio.
> LAs who complete the certification scheme
> will receive the postnominals ACLIP. They will then have the
> opportunity to progress on towards chartership
> if they wish, but it would not be a quick process.
> CILIP are recognising Lib Asst experience, and taking into
> consideration current Lib Asst qualifications such as
> City & Guilds, S/NVQ etc. I think this is a good thing and
> mirrors the traditional route to chartership:
>
> LIS Degree + Charter =MCLIP
> City & Guilds + certification scheme =ACLIP
>
> This is *greatly* simplified (just take a look at the
> diagrams in the framework to see how it can get complicated)
> but I really wouldn't say to people, 'oh we don't need to
> bother with a degree, just do the scheme', not least
> because some employers would still ask for a degree.
>
> Hope this helps. Good luck with your submission,
>
> Rowena
>
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