I have just returned from leave so have quickly read emails generated by events in Kent.
In Lincolnshire we identified a need for Leadership and Management development -originally for public library staff-and in 2001 I was given a remit to expand this for managers in Cultural Services .
 I worked with the Assistant Director and  managers to ascertain needs and aspirations , drafted  management competencies in conjunction with Lorraine Jubb , and utilised the competencies as the foundation for the  customised postgraduate Certificate in Management with the University of
 Lincoln ; and  the ILM introductory certificate  for first line managers .W
 e have successfully run two groups with the University and are starting a second group with ILM . 
As part of a range of approaches to management development we  have also piloted Management NVQ's levels 4 & 5 for staff and two of us have trained as assessors.
Staff are encouraged to join the Chartered Management Institute , and apply for the new Chartered Manager status . 
Opportunities are available to both experienced and aspiring leaders and managers , including library staff , and  they benefit by cross -service working and seeing the bigger picture  .
So what difference is it making ? All development opportunities include service improvement projects
and both participants and  line managers have fed back  positive reviews  on  the success of this programme---longer term evaluation to follow .
Cultural Services are currently being assessed against  the Investors in People Leadership and Management standard -invaluable for anyone  wishing to improve the quality of L & M across the organisation .
Our approach has been adopted and adapted corporately as part of the new Lincolnshire County Council Leadership and Management Development programme which is starting in September 2004.
Jan Adams
Training and Development Manager
Lincolnshire Libraries
>>> John Hughes <[log in to unmask]> 03/06/04 22:40:16 >>>
I think this is one of the healthiest debates to emerge on this list. 
Such a pity that it's a direct result of some questionable decisions 
which appear to be victimising our colleagues in Kent.

I would like to add a point which leads directly on from the library 
school graduates issue.

Although I have known a number of newly qualified librarians over the 
years, some of whom struggled with Chartership, my real concern is the 
lack of accredited management (and leadership) training made available 
to create library managers- and leaders-in-waiting.

The reliance on in-house training courses and external short courses on 
specific aspects of management is simply not good enough in today's 
highly competitive market. As a result, the ambitions of the change 
advocates in the profession will not, I believe, be realised and the 
pool of talent waiting for incentives to develop the necessary skills 
will shrink in the drought.

I am aware that CILIP is supporting some initiatives in the higher 
levels of leadership training, however, I believe we will need a 
broader based approach if we are to do justice to new, qualified 
recruits.

I speak from having a public library backgound of 42 years and am aware 
that my knowledge of other sectors is, in contrast, less complete.

John

C John Hughes BA MCLIP LIAV MInstLM
External Assessor
External Verifier
IAV-registered NVQ Assessor
Chartered Library and Information Professional

Tel: 01452 417865
mobile: 07986 506 404


On 3 Jun 2004, at 21:36, brian.ashley wrote:

> David
>
> Let me clear that we have been able to appoint some excellent young 
> librarians who are both good quality and committed. I am very familiar 
> with the 'Recruit, Retain and Lead' material and the vital 
> contributions to the improving the position from MLA, CILIP, SCL and 
> library schools. I also speak with students at library schools 
> regularly and I base my comments partly on what they tell me. I am 
> proud to say that we still have trainee posts to support entrants to 
> the profession in my service, supported by an excellent programme of 
> training, and an (albeit small) financial incentive to qualified 
> librarians to seek chartered status.
>
>   
>
> My point was that the numbers coming into public libraries are 
> dwindling, but I do recognise that the proliferation of information 
> opportunities in commercial, professional, health and other sectors is 
> a contributory factor. No doubt, many excellent students will be 
> attracted to their starting salaries and the close match between these 
> posts and the curriculum offered in library schools. I would love to 
> be able to compete on the starting salary issue, but the opportunities 
> for progression in public libraries are very good for those willing to 
> be flexible.
>
>  
>
> There have been visible signs in recent years of much improved 
> dialogue between public library managers and the library schools and 
> it is really important that this dialogue is continued and 
> strengthened to the benefit of both the new students and to the users 
> of our services they will be managing and providing.
>
>   
>
> I wish library schools well in encouraging students towards the 
> incredibly exciting, rewarding, challenging and stimulating work that 
> is there for the taking in public libraries today. Anyone interested 
> in making a difference to the lives of people in local communities 
> through the power and pleasures of reading, information and learning 
> can have something to offer. I also wish those students approaching 
> the climax of their studies good luck in gaining qualifications and in 
> seeking employment.
>
>  
>
> Brian Ashley
>
>  
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries 
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David McMenemy
> Sent: 03 June 2004 19:55
> To: [log in to unmask] 
> Subject: Re: Kent
>
>  
>
> I note both Brian and Alison's contribution to this debate, and found 
> both to be interesting. However, I was concerned at a few of the 
> points, but will focus on just one. 
>
>   
>
> Brian's notion of "reality" that there are "fewer quality, committed 
> librarians leaving library schools" is, to put it mildly, unhelpful 
> and not a reality in my experience.  In fact it is attitudes such as 
> this that will discourage graduates to see a career in public 
> libraries as a viable option.  
>
>   
>
> I have only been involved in library school teaching for 3 years but 
> can reassure him that he would be impressed by the skills, attitude 
> and motivation of our students, and I am sure other library schools 
> would say likewise.  I would encourage him and others who share his 
> view to read _Recruit, Retain and Lead_, the excellent discussion of 
> all the issues related to staff skills published in 2001.  It's 
> available on the CPLIS website.  
> http://cplis.shef.ac.uk/publications.htm 
>
>  
>
> In the meantime I hope the many excellent library school students who 
> are members of this list do not find his comment insulting.
>
>  
>
> Cheers
>
> David
>
> ---------------------------------------
> David McMenemy
> Lecturer,
> Graduate School of Informatics,
> Department of Computer and Information Sciences,
>  University of Strathclyde,
>  Livingstone Tower,
>  26 Richmond Street,
>  Glasgow.
>  G1 1XH
>  U.K.
> email: [log in to unmask] 
> www.cis.strath.ac.uk  
>
>  -----Original Message-----
> From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries 
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of brian.ashley
> Sent: 03 June 2004 10:56
> To: [log in to unmask] 
> Subject: Re: Kent
>
> Thank you for your helpful comments, Alison.
>
>   
>
> [I write in a purely personal capacity; as a librarian who is now a 
> manager in public libraries. These views don't necessarily represent 
> those of my authority.]
>
>  
>
> I would echo your comments about the unhelpful use of distinctions 
> between 'professional' and non-professional' colleagues. In my 
> experience those assigned the title 'non-professional' show as much 
> (and sometimes more) professionalism than those who glory in the MCLIP 
> moniker. It is also my experience (and belief) that the excellent 
> contribution that can and must be made by chartered and qualified 
> librarians to the delivery of a modern public library service needs to 
> be valued and sustained.
>
>  
>
> Three realities we face are that:
>
>  
>
> 1.      The number of quality, committed librarians emerging from 
> library schools is dwindling so it is harder to fill librarian posts 
> to the standard we need. There is a different debate on the reasons 
> for this trend but I applaud Margaret Watson's efforts to engage in 
> that debate during her Presidential year.
>
>   
>
> 2.      A modern public library service needs a wider diversity of 
> skills and roles than in the past * as the knowledge, skills and 
> attributes required for roles in learning, information, community 
> development, project management etc become more diverse. A qualified 
> or chartered librarian is not necessarily best equipped with those 
> 'competencies' for every role.
>
>   
>
> Some (but by no means all) existing librarians have not sustained 
> their own CPD to enable them to keep up with professional and, 
> particularly service managerial developments. The easy swipe at 
> managers being unaware of the needs of the service at the front-line 
> (again, no doubt, true for some but not all) can be matched by a lack 
> of awareness among librarians of the changing scene in which we 
> operate.
>
>  
>
> 3.      There has been a fall in the number of applications from 
> people who would have to move to take up a post. This can be 
> attributed to a wider social/financial context makes it harder for 
> people to move house from one part of the country to another or to a 
> reluctance on the part of individuals to move for other reasons. I 
> don't have enough evidence to know. This has an unfortunate side 
> effect that fewer librarians are gathering experience of working in 
> several authorities.
>
>  
>
> I won't, and can't, comment on the Kent situation without more 
> information. I empathise with those involved in wrestling with 
> difficult dilemmas and decisions, and those who feel their value is 
> being questioned. There is a wider debate to be had, however, about 
> how best to apply the contribution of qualified and chartered 
> librarians in a modern public library service, and how best to bring 
> in valuable skills from different disciplines that others have to 
> offer our users and our organizations. In my recent experience, my 
> service has benefited significantly in this way. Fighting to keep the 
> same numbers may not always be the most effective argument in the long 
> run. A profession whose members are committed to sustaining the status 
> quo in a time of change will be left far behind.
>
>  
>
> I see that people respond to and value a positive attitude that makes 
> our potential contribution clear and meaningful in their language. 
> They are turned off by a broad self-perception of librarians as 
> victims. This will attract little sympathy in the wider world.
>
>  
>
> Brian Ashley
>
>  
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries 
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Alison Wheeler
> Sent: 03 June 2004 09:10
> To: [log in to unmask] 
> Subject: Kent
>
>  
>
> I am interested to see these waves of support from colleagues about 
> the actions being taken by Kent regarding its librarians. 
>
>  We have heard from the protesters and not the managers so I guess 
> there are facts which might add to our improved understanding.
>
> I too  believe that there are key areas of work that require the 
> experience and developed expertise of a qualified librarians, although 
> this does not include trouble-shooting photocopiers, and  performing 
> very basic functions at an enquiry desk.
>
>   And there are library services who also believe in growing and 
> developing all their staff - the caste system of professional and 
> non-professional is too archaic for this new century.
>
> However, I don't quite understand how going on strike tells the people 
> of Kent very much about this issue. 
>
>  Many of you have identified how little users distinguish between the 
> qualified and not qualified staff and I suggest that they will not be 
> very interested in this internal dispute... so what does this say to 
> them about the people who work in their library service? 
>
>  I sympathise with colleagues who feel their skills are not valued- 
> but this must be the same for library staff who don't have a library 
> qualification but also have skills and competences we need- in 
> leadership, project management, training, ICT, communication, 
> organisational development, emotional intelligence, political 
> skills....do they teach these at library school now?
>
> If our professional skills were updated appropriately and rigorously 
> as other chartered professionals have to, then perhaps this debate 
> would not continue to run and run?
>
>  
>
> Alison Wheeler, MCLIP.
>
>  
>
> This email represents my own views and does not represent the views of 
> my organisation


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