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

 

-----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.