Loida García-Febo

New Professionals Discussion Group @ IFLA-Quebec

Last Tuesday, August 12, the New Professionals Discussion Group presented a successful program that challenged librarians and library associations from around the globe to take a closer look at how they involve new librarians in their association's work. Speakers included Robyn Ellard, Assistant Director of the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), Keith Michaels Fiels, Executive Director of the American Library Association (ALA), Barbara Schleihagen,Executive Director of Deutscher Bibliotheksverband e.V. (DBV), Susanne Riedel, Executive Director of  German Professional Association (BIB), and Jesus Lau, the Vice-President/ President Elect of the Asociacion Mexicana de Bibliotecarios/ Mexican Library Association (AMBAC).

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Robyn Ellard (AUS), Barbara Schleihagen and Susanne Riedel (both from Germany), 
Jesus Lau (MEX), Keith Michael Fiels (USA)

The panelists shared their wisdom to motivate new librarians to participate in association's work. Keith Michael Fiels started off giving three tips to get ahead: show up, take on work, and do it! Most times committees need members and those who attend their meetings have the opportunity to join that particular group. If a task needs to be completed, it is always a good idea to volunteer, and if you volunteer, make sure you finish what you start.

Jesus Lau encouraged new librarians to not be afraid of the crowds of the Congress or the big names of chairs of committees and divisions because they like all of us are only human too. The important aspect is to dare to participate and speak up. Robyn Ellard explained how ALIA's New Generation Advisory Committee advises their Executive Board on matters related to recently qualified new professionals. This revolutionary approach has greatly helped ALIA to better serve its newest members.

Barbara Schleihagen stressed the importance of communication and interaction among colleagues to ensure understanding of what the needs are. She suggested that opening spaces for students to develop projects for library associations could motivate more involvement of this group in committee work. Susanne Riedel shared information about the Treff-session of the BIB which offers a reduced rate for first time members. This has proven to be a wonderful recruitment tool among new librarians increasing membership of this sector.

The session included a healthy discussion about the points raised by the speakers. All the panelists agreed that library associations need to encourage employers to develop secession plans to proactively strategize for the big exodus of the baby boomers.

Bob McKee, Executive Director of the Chartered Institute of Information Professionals (CILIP), the association in the UK, summarized the discussion with five points:

l        It is important to run an effective association: people want to be involved in an association that is different.

l        Practice Euthanasia: people hang around for too long; give others a chance to work.

l        Bring them in: if you are a veteran, go where new professionals are; go online.

l        Give support: newbies need to know that veterans have their backs.

l        Put them in charge: provide space where new librarians take decisions. Example: CILIP's Career Development Group and ALIA's New Generation Advisory Committee.

 
Christina Hwang, Keith Michael Fiels, ALA Executive Director; Jim Rettig, ALA President; 
Stuart Hamilton, IFLA SPA; Loida Garcia-Febo, NPDG Convenor

Posted by Loida García-Febo on August 18, 2008 | Comments (0)