If I can add to what Roslyn has said, we are also developing our own
leadership training scheme in the North West. Details haven't been
finalised, but I hope it will compliment the national MLA scheme by adopting
a joint Museums, Libraries and Archives approach, with participants from
each of the domains.
By the way, I thought the Clore programme did include librarians, though
only in small numbers as it only deals with small numbers anyway.
The focus of the current activity is tending to be more towards top end
'leadership'. However, these programmes fit within the work being done to
develop a much wider Workforce Strategy by national MLA, so there may well
be projects aimed at other levels of staff coming out of that.
There is more info on the national MLA web site at
http://resource.dev.rroom.net/action/leadership/00lead.asp
Alan
Alan Boughey
Libraries Development Officer
MLA North West
Malt Building, Wilderspool Park,
Greenalls Avenue, Warrington, WA4 6HL
Tel. 01925-625063, Mobile 07834-104006
Fax. 01925-243453
www.nwmlac.org.uk
MLA North West ...
"leading the creation of outstanding, innovative and inclusive museums,
libraries and archives for England's Northwest"
-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Roslyn Byfield
Sent: 04 June 2004 11:17
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Kent
I could not agree more with John's observation about management training in
this competitive environment. As far as I am aware only two general schemes
are being developed and one won't be available till 2005, ie the Clore
Leadership programme starting this year (really aimed at museum people
rather than librarians and people already at very senior level) and the
MLA/Framework for the Future leadership programme (the 2005 one, for which
you have to be nominated by your authority anyway). There is also the
attendant difficulty of public library staffing, making it hard to release
potential candidates for training.
Roslyn Byfield
John Hughes <[log in to unmask]>@JISCMAIL.AC.UK> on 03/06/2004 22:40:16
Please respond to John Hughes <[log in to unmask]>
Sent by: "lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries"
<[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
cc:
Subject: Re: Kent
I think this is one of the healthiest debates to emerge on this list. Such
a pity that it's a direct result of some questionable decisions which
appear to be victimising our colleagues in Kent.
I would like to add a point which leads directly on from the library school
graduates issue.
Although I have known a number of newly qualified librarians over the
years, some of whom struggled with Chartership, my real concern is the lack
of accredited management (and leadership) training made available to create
library managers- and leaders-in-waiting.
The reliance on in-house training courses and external short courses on
specific aspects of management is simply not good enough in today's highly
competitive market. As a result, the ambitions of the change advocates in
the profession will not, I believe, be realised and the pool of talent
waiting for incentives to develop the necessary skills will shrink in the
drought.
I am aware that CILIP is supporting some initiatives in the higher levels
of leadership training, however, I believe we will need a broader based
approach if we are to do justice to new, qualified recruits.
I speak from having a public library backgound of 42 years and am aware
that my knowledge of other sectors is, in contrast, less complete.
John
C John Hughes BA MCLIP LIAV MInstLM
External Assessor
External Verifier
IAV-registered NVQ Assessor
Chartered Library and Information Professional
Tel: 01452 417865
mobile: 07986 506 404
On 3 Jun 2004, at 21:36, brian.ashley wrote:
David
Let me clear that we have been able to appoint some excellent young
librarians who are both good quality and committed. I am very familiar
with the 'Recruit, Retain and Lead' material and the vital contributions
to the improving the position from MLA, CILIP, SCL and library schools.
I also speak with students at library schools regularly and I base my
comments partly on what they tell me. I am proud to say that we still
have trainee posts to support entrants to the profession in my service,
supported by an excellent programme of training, and an (albeit small)
financial incentive to qualified librarians to seek chartered status.
My point was that the numbers coming into public libraries are
dwindling, but I do recognise that the proliferation of information
opportunities in commercial, professional, health and other sectors is a
contributory factor. No doubt, many excellent students will be attracted
to their starting salaries and the close match between these posts and
the curriculum offered in library schools. I would love to be able to
compete on the starting salary issue, but the opportunities for
progression in public libraries are very good for those willing to be
flexible.
There have been visible signs in recent years of much improved dialogue
between public library managers and the library schools and it is really
important that this dialogue is continued and strengthened to the
benefit of both the new students and to the users of our services they
will be managing and providing.
I wish library schools well in encouraging students towards the
incredibly exciting, rewarding, challenging and stimulating work that is
there for the taking in public libraries today. Anyone interested in
making a difference to the lives of people in local communities through
the power and pleasures of reading, information and learning can have
something to offer. I also wish those students approaching the climax of
their studies good luck in gaining qualifications and in seeking
employment.
Brian Ashley
-----Original Message-----
From:lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David McMenemy
Sent: 03 June 2004 19:55
To:[log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Kent
I note both Brian and Alison's contribution to this debate, and found
both to be interesting. However, I was concerned at a few of the points,
but will focus on just one.
Brian's notion of "reality" that there are "fewer quality, committed
librarians leaving library schools" is, to put it mildly, unhelpful and
not a reality in my experience. In fact it is attitudes such as this
that will discourage graduates to see a career in public libraries as a
viable option.
I have only been involved in library school teaching for 3 years but can
reassure him that he would be impressed by the skills, attitude and
motivation of our students, and I am sure other library schools would
say likewise. I would encourage him and others who share his view to
read _Recruit, Retain and Lead_, the excellent discussion of all the
issues related to staff skills published in 2001. It's available on the
CPLIS website. http://cplis.shef.ac.uk/publications.htm
In the meantime I hope the many excellent library school students who
are members of this list do not find his comment insulting.
Cheers
David
---------------------------------------
David McMenemy
Lecturer,
Graduate School of Informatics,
Department of Computer and Information Sciences,
University of Strathclyde,
Livingstone Tower,
26 Richmond Street,
Glasgow.
G1 1XH
U.K.
email: [log in to unmask]
www.cis.strath.ac.uk
-----Original Message-----
From:lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of brian.ashley
Sent: 03 June 2004 10:56
To:[log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Kent
Thank you for your helpful comments, Alison.
[I write in a purely personal capacity; as a librarian who is now a
manager in public libraries. These views don't necessarily represent
those of my authority.]
I would echo your comments about the unhelpful use of distinctions
between 'professional' and non-professional' colleagues. In my
experience those assigned the title 'non-professional' show as much (and
sometimes more) professionalism than those who glory in the MCLIP
moniker. It is also my experience (and belief) that the excellent
contribution that can and must be made by chartered and qualified
librarians to the delivery of a modern public library service needs to
be valued and sustained.
Three realities we face are that:
1.
The number of quality, committed librarians emerging from library
schools is dwindling so it is harder to fill librarian posts to the
standard we need. There is a different debate on the reasons for this
trend but I applaud Margaret Watson's efforts to engage in that
debate during her Presidential year.
2.
A modern public library service needs a wider diversity of skills
and roles than in the past ? as the knowledge, skills and
attributes required for roles in learning, information, community
development, project management etc become more diverse. A
qualified or chartered librarian is not necessarily best equipped
with those 'competencies' for every role.
Some (but by no means all) existing librarians have not sustained
their own CPD to enable them to keep up with professional and,
particularly service managerial developments. The easy swipe at
managers being unaware of the needs of the service at the
front-line (again, no doubt, true for some but not all) can be
matched by a lack of awareness among librarians of the changing
scene in which we operate.
3.
There has been a fall in the number of applications from people
who would have to move to take up a post. This can be
attributed to a wider social/financial context makes it harder
for people to move house from one part of the country to
another or to a reluctance on the part of individuals to move
for other reasons. I don't have enough evidence to know. This
has an unfortunate side effect that fewer librarians are
gathering experience of working in several authorities.
I won't, and can't, comment on the Kent situation without more information.
I empathise with those involved in wrestling with difficult dilemmas and
decisions, and those who feel their value is being questioned. There is a
wider debate to be had, however, about how best to apply the contribution
of qualified and chartered librarians in a modern public library service,
and how best to bring in valuable skills from different disciplines that
others have to offer our users and our organizations. In my recent
experience, my service has benefited significantly in this way. Fighting to
keep the same numbers may not always be the most effective argument in the
long run. A profession whose members are committed to sustaining the status
quo in a time of change will be left far behind.
I see that people respond to and value a positive attitude that makes our
potential contribution clear and meaningful in their language. They are
turned off by a broad self-perception of librarians as victims. This will
attract little sympathy in the wider world.
Brian Ashley
-----Original Message-----
From:lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Alison Wheeler
Sent: 03 June 2004 09:10
To:[log in to unmask]
Subject: Kent
I am interested to see these waves of support from colleagues about the
actions being taken by Kent regarding its librarians.
We have heard from the protesters and not the managers so I guess there
are facts which might add to our improved understanding.
I too believe that there are key areas of work that require the experience
and developed expertise of a qualified librarians, although this does not
include trouble-shooting photocopiers, and performing very basic functions
at an enquiry desk.
And there are library services who also believe in growing and developing
all their staff - the caste system of professional and non-professional is
too archaic for this new century.
However, I don't quite understand how going on strike tells the people of
Kent very much about this issue.
Many of you have identified how little users distinguish between the
qualified and not qualified staff and I suggest that they will not be very
interested in this internal dispute... so what does this say to them about
the people who work in their library service?
I sympathise with colleagues who feel their skills are not valued- but
this must be the same for library staff who don't have a library
qualification but also have skills and competences we need- in leadership,
project management, training, ICT, communication, organisational
development, emotional intelligence, political skills....do they teach
these at library school now?
If our professional skills were updated appropriately and rigorously as
other chartered professionals have to, then perhaps this debate would not
continue to run and run?
Alison Wheeler, MCLIP.
This email represents my own views and does not represent the views of my
organisation
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