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I also took the astoundingly poorly paid graduate trainee post at the same library as Karen. By this time, the recruitment advertisement was only circulated in the local press, thereby avoiding any further "wrist slapping" from CILIP. I was made fully aware of CILIP's objections at my interview, and so accepted the post in the full knowledge that it was not approved of by CILIP (so yes, I suppose I am an "utter rotter"). I was lucky to have an excellent manager who was dedicated to giving the very best possible training and experience possible which prevented the year from being the mere slave labour it could very easily have become. It provided me with a firm grounding of many aspects of librarianship (positive and negative) which served me well throughout my PG study and first professional post. I am not giving a testimonial for the joys of being paid a pittance (especially not when each year I see the GT positions at Kew advertised at a little less than double my GT salary!). Itjust happened to be my opportunity to enter the profession. The whole salary issue, however, is hardly an attractive advertisement to graduates who are thinking of becoming information specialists, especially when other more immediately lucrative opportunities may present themselves. Gareth Bellis Assistant Librarian Video Library, Faraday Hall, The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Camberley, Surrey. GU15 3LQ Tel: 01276 41 2403