Thanks to those of you who responded to my appeal for information regarding
student placements in libraries – this has been very helpful in confirming
ideas we already had, and in adding new ones. One or two of you were kind
enough to send attachments such as examples of work programmes and
guidelines.
Summary of replies
Unpaid placements tend to be from 2 to 6 weeks, but the norm is 4 weeks
(From subsequent investigations into library schools I have found that one
or two look for one year paid placements, but this then becomes a more
formal process in that one has to advertise and be seen as an authority to
recruit fairly.)
Projects undertaken should be valuable and worthwhile for all concerned -
the employer becomes involved in the success of the student. The most
successful projects are those which help both the student and the employer
significantly and where the student has been given some real responsibility.
Both the student and the employer have expectations of each other, so the
library school will often issue a set of guidelines, just as the employer
will devise a programme with a suitable level of detail as well as a
detailed outline of what is required from the project.
Examples of projects are work on websites, databases, stock management,
reader development, lifelong learning, one was even to devise a pack for
future work experience students! Sometimes the student has looked into
knotty problems such as charging for access to the internet.
Placement work has been found to be of a high standard.
The student needs a local mentor who will ensure that they are making good
progress – they should not just be left to ‘get on with it’. This person
needs to spend time making sure they have a suitable programme of visits
around the organisation. Additionally, someone from the library school will
visit and check that all is going well.
Foreign students have a great deal to offer and the placement enables them
to improve their English.
The placement student is normally unpaid, and as a rule no financial help
is expected.
Advantages of student placements included: detailed and objective comments
on the organisation, a questioning of why we do things, and fresh ideas;
high standard of work; a project completed which might not be carried out
otherwise; little cost to the organisation except time; regular contact
with library schools and their students, helping staff to “develop their
own professional and personal experiences”, as one person helpfully put it.
Disadvantages included: time to 1) arrange a schedule and modify it as
required – sometimes frequently necessary due to changes in availability of
staff 2 a good stock of projects to choose from, so these need to be
decided in advance.
The overwhelming view was that these placements are very worthwhile!
David Parish
Team Librarian
Poole Central Library
Dolphin Centre
Poole BH15 1QE
Tel 01202 262451
email: [log in to unmask]
|