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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?