Introduction
Librarians working in local authorities run public
libraries to help make available a wide range of books, magazines,
music cassettes, DVDs, CD-Roms and internet access. Their aim is to
meet the broadest spread of information needs.
There are 10,000 librarians working in local government in the
UK today.
Work Environment
Librarians work indoors, except for the mobile service.
Some libraries are purpose built whilst others are converted from
other buildings.
Daily Activities
The emphasis of a librarian's work depends on their
particular job but in general, they are responsible for:
- ensuring adequate stock selection. Budgets are limited, and
within their constraints librarians must choose materials which
reflect the demands not only of the mainstream, but also of adult
learners, schoolchildren and special-interest groups;
- ensuring that the stock is presented in an accessible way;
- dealing with enquiries from the public. These can be anything
from finding reference materials for school children's coursework,
providing information to businesses on legal or tax issues, helping
with research or the unemployed with job-hunting, to courses and
careers information;
- organising social and educational activities forthe disabled
and the elderly, as well as reading groups for small children;
- Managing Senior Library Assistants and a number of Library and
Information Assistants;
- undertaking routine matters such as the issuing and returning
of the library's stock, re-shelving and issuing reminders to
borrowers about overdue books. Here they are supported by library
assistants.
Skills & Interests
Librarians must be able to work with people from all
walks of life and of all ages from the very young to the old.
With the advance of the internet and computers, it is vital that
they have an interest in and experience of computers, and assist
the Library Service to deliver its services more efficiently and
effectively.
Librarians need to be good communicators, both verbally and in
writing. They also need to be patient, tactful, and have an
outgoing personality to interrelate well with the public and
colleagues.
Entry Requirements
Professional status is either via a degree accredited by
the Library Association or by means of a degree in any subject but
followed by a Postgraduate Diploma or a Master's degree accredited
by the Library Association.
- Librarianship courses cover resource and personnel management,
as well as the practice of information management. This includes
information technology applications forlibraries, databases,
on-line information retrieval and word-processing.
- Mature entrants with relevant work experience may be accepted
without formal qualifications.
- Most members will gain Associateship within two years of taking
up their first professional post.
- S/NVQs are available at Levels 2-4 and Records at Levels 2-4.
An Apprenticeship is also available.
Future Prospects & Opportunities
Posts forlibrarians are found all over theUK. Job
availability varies by region - greatest opportunity being in urban
areas. Promotion is enhanced through chartered memberships of the
Library Association and by moving to different areas. The
largest number of Library Association members are found in public
libraries (25.1%), followed by further and higher education
libraries (17.37%). Some qualified graduate librarians may
take professional (library assistant) posts in order to make a
start in the profession. There are also opportunities to work
as information officers in various local authority departments and
in school library services.
Further Information & Services
Apprenticeship information www.apprenticeships.org.uk
Chartered Institute of Library & Information Professionals
www.cilip.org.uk
Institute for the Management of Information Systems www.imis.org.uk
School Library Association www.sla.org.uk
The Chartered Institute for IT www.bcs.org.uk
Careers Wales have produced a Spotlight article on careers in
creative industries:
www.careerswales.com/en/spotlight-on-creative-industries/
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/)
or in your local library, careers officeor school careers
library.