I do hope that CILIP and Unison will also take first steps in actively
promoting libraries and librarians in FE. Now we have so much more HE
delivered in FE institutions, the lack of a professional structure in FE
libraries is beginning to cause difficulties. This is particularly the
case regarding cataloguing, book lists etc, but also tests the abilities
of many learning resources staff who have worked effectively in FE for
many years but have little formal library training to support them in HE
level enquiries, research, user-inductions... As a post-graduate
qualified librarian I work as a library assistant in FE alongside, and
managed by, other staff who have no library qualifications. My
experience and training are relied upon by our service, yet this is
unacknowledged. Watch out, you lucky HE library staff, the precedent
has already been set by default !
Lis-linker-in-the-North
-----Original Message-----
From: A general Library and Information Science list for news and
discussion. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of James, N.J.A.
Sent: 24 May 2005 16:43
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Job description and pay grading
In addition to the points already made, it's worth adding that CILIP and
AUT have taken the first steps in actively developing a closer working
relationship aimed at protecting and promoting librarians and libraries
in Higher Education. In AUT, the Academic Related Committee is
organizing a series of regional meetings to raise the profile of
Academic Related staff in universities, which enable members to discuss
issues such as these, to ensure that we are all armed with the best
arguments to defend ourselves.
Cataloguers may currently be viewed as being in a particularly
vulnerable position, partly because of developments in information
retrieval mechanisms, and partly because they have tended to undersell
their skills in the past (and perhaps be perceived as indulging in an
arcane art, irrelevant to the developments to which I refer). Of course
these skills are essential to library and information services, in terms
of metadata in its broadest sense (not only its narrower Dublin Core
manifestation). However, in order to provide the services institutions
require cataloguers need to be professionals in every respect, and that
includes being proactive with regard to metadata developments. In this
environment particularly, cataloguers should be qualified professionals
whose roles are broader and more dynamic than they have tended to be in
the past.
Best wishes,
Nick
Nick James
Vice-Chair, AUT Academic Related Staff Committee
and Catalogue Database Manager, University of Leicester Library (in a
personal capacity!)
0116-2522037
-----Original Message-----
From: A general Library and Information Science list for news and
discussion. [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Mel Eyeons
Sent: 24 May 2005 13:14
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Job description and pay grading
Dear all
I am writing to ask for advice on how to approach a problem that I am
facing regarding my job description and pay grading. I work as an
Assistant
Librarian in a university and am having to update my job description.
After
initial drafts, my employer argues that they need precise information
about
why the job I do requires me to be professionally qualified and educated
to
degree level.
I am primarily responsible for the bibliographic services (cataloguing
and
classification) in our Education Library, and therefore need to describe
why I need to be qualified in order to catalogue and classify library
material. This is primarily book material but also some audio-visual
material. I also carry out user education, deal with enquiries and do
some
supervision of library assistants.
I was wondering if anyone has any experience of this kind of situation
or
knew of any publications (papers, guidelines etc) that I could use to
strengthen my case as I am aware that there has been some debate
recently
about the employment of unqualified vs qualified cataloguers.
I would be extremely grateful for your help.
Regards
Mel Eyeons
--
Mel Eyeons
Assistant Librarian
University of Cambridge
Faculty of Education
Library & Information Service
184 Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 2PQ
01223 767700
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