LIBRARY POSITIVE ACYION TRAINEESHIP
People from ethnic minorities are under-represented in the workforce of
museums, libraries and archives. Since 2003-04 the East Midlands Museums,
Libraries and Archives Council (EMMLAC) has provided a number of Positive
Action bursaries to enable members of under-represented groups to complete
a Master’s course in Museum Studies at the University of Leicester. We are
now able to extend this programme to libraries in partnership with the
Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) under MLA’s Workforce
Development Strategy, which was developed in partnership with EMMLAC and
other Regional Agencies.
Positive Action means taking steps to help people from ethnic minorities
to compete on an equal basis for opportunities. It is permitted within
criteria set out in Sections 37 and 38 of the Race Relations Act 1976 (see
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/docs/part6.html for the relevant sections).
Applications are now invited for a two year Positive Action library
traineeship, to commence by arrangement in October or November 2005. This
will be hosted by Northamptonshire Libraries and Information Service
(NLIS) and University College Northampton, with additional support from
their partners in the Access to Libraries and Information in
Northamptonshire (ALLIN) network. No prior experience of library work is
required.
The traineeship provides:
• up to one year’s work experience as preparation for postgraduate
study, paid at the equivalent of Local Authority Scale 4 (£15,675 –
£16,854 p.a.)
• course fees for a full-time Master’s degree course in the
Department of Information Science at Loughborough University in the 2006-
07 academic year
• an allowance of £500 for course books/travel expenses
• additional financial support of up to £1,200 for living costs
during the period of study
The successful candidate will be responsible for making his/her own
arrangements for accommodation during the traineeship.
Who is eligible?
Applications for the traineeship are invited from individuals who:
• are of African, African Caribbean, Asian or Chinese descent
• have a first or second class honours degree (or equivalent
experience that will meet university admission requirements)
• can demonstrate real enthusiasm for and commitment to developing a
career in library and information services
• are eligible for home student university fees (nationals of the UK
or another EU country - see
http://www.lboro.ac.uk/admin/ar/funding/pg/index.htm for further
information)
What sort of work experience will be provided?
The work programme will enable the trainee to gain experience of a wide
range of library work, along with insights into the opportunities and
challenges of employment in library and information services.
The majority of the time will be spent with Northamptonshire Library and
Information Services (NLIS), based at one of the five NLIS Area
Headquarters. Shorter periods will be spent in other NLIS departments
including Stock Supply, the School Library Service, and IT systems, in
order to gain an overview of the whole library service. The trainee will
also spend a number of weeks at Northamptonshire Central Library to learn
more about in-depth services including Local Studies and Enquire Direct.
The trainee will be expected to undertake project work on a particular
aspect of service, the subject of which will be determined with his/her
input.
Approximately one third of the time will be spent in the Library at
University College Northampton (shortly to become the University of
Northampton), where the trainee will experience a range of academic
library work. In addition to all the core service areas, this will cover
academic liaison with teaching staff and students, web service
development, and project work, including marketing and quality assurance.
Additional periods of work experience or shadowing will be arranged with
other ALLIN partners (Northampton College, Northamptonshire Health
Informatics, Moulton College and Tresham Institute).
The trainee will participate in appropriate training and development
opportunities offered to NLIS staff, and will have access to EMMLAC’s own
programme of workforce development learning opportunities. S/he will be
assigned a mentor to offer support throughout the training period, and
will become part of the network of graduate trainees and CILIP Chartership
candidates facilitated by the ALLIN partnership.
Applications
For further information and an application form, please contact Audrey
Thomas at EMMLAC, email [log in to unmask], or telephone 0116 285 1369.
The closing date for applications is Monday 19 September 05.
Interviews will be held in Northampton in the first half of October 05.
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