I agree. I think we most definitely should pay more attention to IT skills in terms of staffing libraries. Not that we should expect to recruit IT experts, but there should be a minimum level of IT literacy expected of all recruits. The availability of skilled support should be absolutely central to the delivery of library services. As information professionals we should be prepared and able to assist in accessing all forms of information.
If people feel uncomfortable in providing that support, maybe they are in the wrong profession.
Ian Clark
Library Systems Officer,
Augustine House,
Canterbury Christ Church University
Email: [log in to unmask]
Tel. 01227 767700 ext 3141
-----Original Message-----
From: Phil Jones [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 19 March 2012 10:50
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: IT in the library
Dear All
I completely agree that it's now an essential part of the service we offer. Having worked in Libraries for 5 years, with 4 years working on the frontline I am familiar with the sort of situation where people expect you to type up letters for them or draft entire CV's but you just have to manage their expectations and explain the level of help you can offer.
I understand the reticence of some staff to help because it might be that Libraries have changed a great deal since they first started working in them and they may not have the ICT skills of someone who was born and brought up with computers. No-one likes to do something they don't feel confident in especially where the task is open-ended and the customer might be ungrateful for or critical of the help afforded but there's often training available either through the local authority or informally from peers/family.
From the library side perhaps more attention needs to be paid to ICT skills in the recruitment process. Job descriptions tend to mention ICT skills but perhaps a practical task could be set at interview to ensure that candidates have the necessary competence?
Phil Jones
ICT & Information Coordinator
Coventry Libraries and Information Services Floor 1, West Orchards House
28-34 Corporation Street
Coventry
CV1 1GF
Tel: 024 7683 2329
Fax: 024 7683 2180
Email:[log in to unmask]
Visit us at www.coventry.gov.uk/libraries
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