A 'floor walker' was of course a senior member of the sales team in a retail store responsible for saying 'can I help you sir/madam?' and referring the customer to the appropriate sales assistant (as in 'Are you being served?'. I would put 'floor assistant' more into this category - customer service rather than cleaning. Margaret Rowley BSc MA MCLIP DMS Head of Knowledge Management Rowlands Library Charles Hastings Education Centre Worcestershire Royal Hospital Charles Hastings Way Worcester WR5 1DD Tel: 01905 760601 (direct) 01905 763333 ext 33765 Fax: 01905 760866 (direct) 33761 (internal) Email: [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: UK medical/ health care library community / information workers [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Gordon Smith Sent: 03 August 2005 11:04 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Change in job title If I was asked what "floor assistant" conveyed to me, I would probably say cleaner. Could I point out that "a requirement for manual handling" could cover dustpan and brush, a bucket and mop, etc. :-) Gordon. Gordon Smith The Sally Howell Library Epsom General Hospital Dorking Road Epsom, Surrey, KT18 7EG Tel. 01372-735688, Fax 01372-735687 NULJ=HOWE, HLN=EP <<Cela est bien dit>> rEpondit Candide <<mais il faut cultiver notre jardin>>. - Voltaire. >>> "Stewart, Chloe" <[log in to unmask]> 03/08/2005 10:56:04 >>> I like Knowledge Choreographer but apparently it's not allowed as an Agenda for Change job title. I agree that 'Floor assistant' is misleading but don't like the 'demeaning' claim - estates jobs aren't demeaning and in the NHS at least they're life-saving. Chloe Stewart Library Manager (Clinical Services) Library & Learning Centre Stobhill Hospital 133 Balornock Road Glasgow G21 3UW Tel: 0141 201 3357 Fax: 0141 201 3357 Email: [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: Juliet brown [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: 03 August 2005 10:52 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Change in job title Heheheheheeee personally I love that title. When my husband got a promotion at work he was toldl he could pick his title and I suggested he was a Professor of "clever things", he was not amused, he chose to be Prof of numerical geosciences (how boring - but he does basically count gravel as a living). I wonder what a non information librarian does.... if I ever find one I will have to ask. J Juliet Brown Medical Librarian - Vale of Leven DGH Never lend books, for no one ever returns them. The only books I have in my library are books that other folks have leant me. (Anatole France) The information contained in this message may be confidential or legally privileged and is intended for the addresseee only. If you have received this message in error or there are any problems, please notify the originator immediately. The unauthorised use, disclosure, copying or alteration of this message is strictly forbidden. >>> "Gray, Geraldine" <[log in to unmask]> 08/03/05 10:55am >>> Talking about Job titles, I agree with Malcolm it does sound like an amalgam between porter/security and library assistant. Can I add another bete-noire of mine...cannot say how much I am irritated by the title ..Information Librarian Geraldine -----Original Message----- From: Juliet brown [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: 03 August 2005 10:40 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Change in job title hmmmm floor assistants - an ideal job for a floozie called flo. Sorry, couldn't help that. I'm suprised they don't ask for a bit of carpet laying or polishing while they are at it. Perhaps it is just a true reflection of what people think. Must be other wonderful titles out there for our jobs cheers, J (information carer?/wild book handler?) Juliet Brown Medical Librarian - Vale of Leven DGH Never lend books, for no one ever returns them. The only books I have in my library are books that other folks have leant me. (Anatole France) The information contained in this message may be confidential or legally privileged and is intended for the addresseee only. If you have received this message in error or there are any problems, please notify the originator immediately. The unauthorised use, disclosure, copying or alteration of this message is strictly forbidden. >>> Ann Brew <[log in to unmask]> 08/03/05 10:02am >>> Hello, Has anyone else seen this advert and been horrified by the completely demeaning title ? http://www.platform2recruit.co.uk/universityoflondon/pages/jobdetails.as p?id =1490 Perhaps someone from the relevant department (Library, HR, Recruitment Office ?) could explain in exactly what way a floor assistant differs from a library assistant ? I've taken a look at the job description and it seems suspiciously similar to library assistant tasks... "You will work at the Membership and Circulation and Bibliographic service-points performing a range of front of house and manual support duties, including dealing with user enquiries, the issue, return and renewal of books, servicing the Closed Stack collection, and moving bookstock. You will also provide support across a range of routine activities related to the maintenance of book stacks and the up-keep of the library areas in general. Previous experience of working in a customer service or similar environment is required and you must possess a helpful and friendly demeanour combined with the ability to undertake a number of tasks simultaneously in such a way as to be immediately helpful to library visitors and users. A good team member, able to work independently to meet set targets, you will have basic keyboarding skills and the ability to acquire new skills on standard library systems. The duties of the post involve a requirement for the manual handling and movement of furniture, equipment and library bookstock and some Evening/Saturday duties." Is this where the library profession is going ? Removing the word 'library' from all our titles so people will never understand what we do ? 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