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September 26, 2008
Library Assistants are under valued
It is easy to agree with this comment below. This is the piece of the jigsaw that the public don't ever get to see... nor do many journalists-
"With the correct training a Library Assistant can help with anything. Library Assistants are extremely under valued, a lot of what they now do was once done by Librarians. I can assure others that it is more about common sense,teamwork and experience. I am a Library Assistant and the dearth of training available is a disgrace and on top of that we are then insulted. Please believe me when I say that I am more than capable. Today many Librarians have Post-graduate experience or no experience as Librarians and are being trained on the job to manage the workload of Library Assistants with more experience. Knowledge and skills this combination is unbeatable in life. Library Assistants are now the 'FACE' that the public see first, once upon a time the Librarian did everything."
There is an urgent need for root and branch reform of the public library profession, its training, its accreditation and its role. It would be better if the profession reformed itself rather than being told what to do by politicians, or small black cats, but if someone wants to know what they should do... they only have to ask.
Posted by Perkins at September 26, 2008 4:14 PM