I thought I was being a bit cheeky when I asked for a guest blogger from the CPD25 Career Development Day last week, so I was bowled over when no fewer than six people came forward! We'll be blogging all of their versions of the event as they come in. Adam Ray, Library Assistant at the Foyle Special Collections Library, King's College London was first past the post with his contribution, so over to you Adam.
Twenty-five enthusiastic Library Assistants from Higher Education institutions across the south-east gathered at Birkbeck College for a Career Development Day on Thursday 16th February 2012.
A range of speakers introduced topics and responded to the questions of delegates, some of whom had completed a professional qualification in library science, and some of whom were considering attending library school in the future.
The keynote speaker, Robert Hall, Director of Library Services at King’s College London, introduced the day with a talk addressing the role of the librarian within current trends in higher education. These included how librarians’ roles are becoming more mobile and responsive: instead of a student having to come to a defined area of the library to have their query addressed, librarians now move around a building (in a process known as roving) and proactively seek to answer customer questions, thus improving the student experience and perceptions of service within the library.
Also on the agenda was the move towards a student centred hub within libraries – an area not restricted by dealing with only one kind of enquiry but somewhere that students can go to ask questions of staff relating to wider issues of being a student, such as fees and funding, or obtaining relevant documentation. Within this new varied environment there is, of course, still the facility to speak to a subject specialist, study alone or within a modernized group study area.
The need for collaboration between higher education institutions, in for example, procurement initiatives was also addressed. Librarians, particularly in these tough economic times were encouraged to behave with business acumen.
Karyn Stuckey addressed the delegates in regard to her work as a Special Collections Archivist at the renowned architects, Foster and Partners. Necessarily more secure than a traditional library archive (due to the need to protect intellectual property and to protect the security of some of the famous buildings they have designed) her work within this corporate environment sounded both fascinating and challenging. Karyn dealt with the digital preservation of architectural plans and also had to gently encourage her fellow staff from outside the archive to be gentle with some of the physical items she looked after and provided for them!
Helen Williamson detailed her dramatic and exciting rise from Library Assistant to Librarian at the Horniman Museum. Threatened with redundancy, she embraced the challenge of promoting the library in difficult times by making her colleagues aware of the material it housed and the advantages of using the library. She had succeeded in both heightening the profile of the library within the museum (books were now being displayed in the exhibitions) and if her positive and enthusiastic presentation was anything to go by, the library was in great hands for the future!
The experience of David Pearson, Subject Librarian at SOAS and currently in his second year of an MSc in Library Science at City University surely encouraged the prospective library school delegates in the audience to undertake such study. He detailed how he was tailoring his study to fit his workplace role – to the benefit of both; and that, although he had to carefully manage the time he devoted to study, he was very much enjoying the intellectual challenge.
Michael Martin, Adviser for Qualifications and Professional Development at CILIP further emphasised the value of a professional qualification and how a Chartership qualification could also be an asset to library professionals. He explained how CILIP membership benefitted members in terms of providing continuing professional development, networking opportunities and also allowed the organization to effectively represent library and information professionals effectively.
Delegates, having listened attentively to the speakers, were now encouraged into action by Donald Lickley of Sue Hill Recruitment. The roles and skills of delegates were discussed, and this led into discussions of how these experiences and proficiencies could effectively be sold to prospective employers. He encouraged delegates to be aware of the diverse range of opportunities open to information professionals, even within these economically straitened times. Valuable information was imparted as to where to look for these vacancies (as well as Sue Hill Recruitment!) that ranged from Football Researcher to Execution Manager(!) and how to give oneself the best chance of success, in terms of honing the contents of an application form and handling oneself at interview.
An informative and useful day was had by all. With thanks to the CPD25 staff for their hosting and setting up of the event.
- Adam Ray
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