New Librarians Worldwide: Mapping out the future

Loida Garcia-Febo and Robin Kear share their Keynote for Strategies for Library Associations: Include New Professionals now!, a program presented by IFLA Management of Library Associations Section and the New Professionals SIG at the IFLA World Library and Information Congress in Helsinki this past August 2012.  The paper is here and the Power Point presentation is here.

(From Left to Right: Robin, Loida)

IFLA Journal Vol. 38, No. 1

You can find some interesting articles from last years WLIC2011 in San Juan in the latest  IFLA Journal: Volume 38, No. 1 (March 2012).

like:

• Professional development, values and strategy – the means for building strong libraries for the future!
  • Catharina Isberg, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
  • page: 35
  • Abstract: The library and information sector is undergoing massive change. In a changing world we must create environments that promote strong development to ensure a viable future and a library that provides benefits to all our customers. Professional development is an essential component of this environment. It must be in line with the organization’s strategy and values. Changes in customer expectations, behavior and technological development make it even more important to form the library’s identity and prioritize our activities. Values, strategy and professional development go hand in hand with the development process. Staff participation in the development process produces a climate that is creative and a means of ensuring success in the future. At the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences University Library we have worked with professional development, strategy and values as well as the concepts of staff empowerment and leadership. This effort has included all staff members and the results have been excellent.
• Developing leadership competencies in librarians
  • Mary Wilkins Jordan, Simmons College
  • page: 37
  • Abstract: What makes a good director? How does a librarian know she has the competencies needed to be an effective manager-leader? How does the library board or community know what to look for in a director? What should the library profession look for in their rising managers? There are not clear answers to these questions right now. But development of a set of research-based competencies will give answers to these questions, and will give a foundation for other research-based ideas to be developed to assist manager-leaders in the library. The research objective for this study is to refine a set of competencies, identified from the literature, through the opinions of current public library directors. The development of manager/leaders in the library world is too important to be left to chance. Using a research-based set of competencies as a foundation should help in the development of training opportunities for librarians who wish to be successful in their positions as directors.

And many more. Have a look.

Finnish new professionals pamphlet out now

Veera Ristikartano interviewed

The Finnish network of new library professionals “Nuorkirjastolaiset” just published a pamphlet Epäpäivä!–Voimasanoja kirjastosta (“Due date–Powerwords from the library“; BTJ-Avain, ISBN 9789516928688).

A product of a collaborative writing process and edited by Veera Ristokartano and Antti Virrankoski, the polemic pamphlet raises several key problems in the libraryworld: library’s reaction to digital content, immaterial rights, generations of digital natives (who are amongs us and not “a challenge to tackle somewhere in the future”), human resource management and lifelong learning within the library profession, information politics and commitment to open access and egalitarianism are some of the issues discussed. The preface builds upon a scenario, what would happen if libraries vanished today. What would the nearby future look like? Would anybody really care?

The pamphlet was published at Finnish Library Conference 2011. On 8th of June Cycling for libraries, Der Deutsche Bibliotheksverband e.V. (dbv) and Kirjastokaista organized a video interview of editor Veera Ristikartano from Finnish Library Conference held Oulu to the 100. Deutscher Bibliothekartage held in Berlin. A recording of the live video is available online (please skip to 31:15) and in it, Veera explains in english the key contents of the pamphlet.

New Librarians International/National Association Activity and Career Attitudes Survey

In 2007, individuals from five continents answered a survey about new librarians, leadership, library associations and professional futures. Results including a proposed plan of action were published under the title “International Perspectives of the New Librarian Experience,” (Feliciter, Issue #2, 2007). This year we are following up on that survey and kindly asking for help in finding out more about the perspectives of new librarians from different regions of the world.

Recently, library associations from a number of countries have developed various initiatives to introduce new librarians to their group’s existence, include them in their activities, develop their careers, and encourage them to stay in the profession. This brief, general survey intends to measure the success of these initiatives. Findings will be presented at library associations’ conferences and discussed in journal articles.

Please, take a few minutes to answer the survey. It will be available until March 15. Answers are confidential. Participants will remain anonymous.

link to the survey

Thanks for your participation!

Loida Garcia-Febo and Robin Kear

——

Loida: Coordinator, Special Services, Queens Library, N.Y.
ALA IFRT Chair, ALA Membership Meetings Committee Chair, ALA Councilor-at-Large
IFLA FAIFE Secretary, IFLA NPSIG, REFORMA Immediate Past President 2009-2010

email: loidagarciafebo@gmail.com

Robin: Reference/Instruction Librarian, University of Pittsburgh, PA
ALA IRRT Connections Committee Chair, ALA Website Advisory Committee Round Table Rep, ALA LIRT Website Advisory Committee, ACRL Instruction Section Awards Committee Member

email: rlk25@pitt.edu

NPSIG leaflet now available for download!

Some of you might have come across this precious little leaflet during the IFLA Congress in Gothenburg back in August…

NPSIG leaflet

The flyer, containing the very basics about the IFLA New Professionals, is now available for download at our website (designed for A5 print). Please feel free to use it at any given opportunity and spread the word!

BOBCATSSS 2010 reports

In the current issue of the “New Library world” two articles are reporting from the BOBCATSSS symposium this year. The NPSIG Workshop is mentioned in both.

Sara P. Robinson and Catherine Westwood “Symposium report: BOBCATSSS 2010” (New Library World, volume 111, issue 7/8):

At the IFLA workshop, “Bridging the gap-involving new professional in the international development of our profession in the digital world,” participants were provided with information and IFLA’s mission statement, which lead to a brainstorming session about the support and recruitment of new professionals at a national and international level. The results of these discussions were fed into the panel discussion the following day, which featured presentations focusing on the LIS teaching and career opportunities for new information professionals.

They also mention the bicycle rental at the symposium, a theme that grows stronger in the library community.

In an effort to promote a “green” BOBCATSSS, bicycles were provided for free hire from the symposium venues; these proved to be very popular with symposium participants.

In the other article from Elena Corradini, “BOBCATSSS 2010 in Parma, Italy – Bridging the digital divide: libraries providing access for all?” (New Library World, volume 111, issue 7/8), the NPSIG workshop is mentioned as well:

“Bridging the gap: involving new professionals in the international development of our profession in the digital world”, initially prepared by Almuth Gastinger (Norway) and Sebastian Wilke (Germany), then co-presented by Ellen Tise, the IFLA President.