Letters to the editor

Hi Bonnie,

I began reading Lorraine's piece on value adding with the thought that I might get some ideas to add to my job-searching strategies. However, as I read into the article, I found that it is aimed at those who are already working as professionals - not applicable to me (yet - I live in hope!).

Along the same lines (of hope) there is currently a posting on WAIN for a CAVAL traing session to be held in Perth on General Cataloguing Principles and Practices. I read that posting thinking that the course would be something I could do to boost my employment prospects - I have only my cataloguing unit from my degree, no practical experience at it. Things were looking more interesting as I read, until I got to the bottom line - the cost! For someone who is unemployed or underemployed, the cost of these sorts of professional development days is way out of reach, even though the value of having done them would seem to be there. They seem to be aimed at those already working, whose employers would pay all or most of the cost.

Apart from the usual résumé and interview preparation sessions that are available through various organisations, is there anything that ALIA offers for its unemployed and underemployed members that we can take to an employer that will add value to our employment prospects? I haven't been able to find anything.

Cheers,
Barbara Boulton

Editors response

Hi Barbara,

Thank you for your e-mail. You are quite correct, it is very hard to keep your skills up especially when training courses cost a significant amount. May I ask what course you did? Are you a newly qualified librarian or a newly qualified library technician? There are a couple of options for you. As a newly qualified librarian you can join GUMP (graduate mentoring program) and attend events organised by the WA Mentoring Program contact Simon Lewis for more details. Or if you are a library technician graduate, try Judy Allan who is the convenor of the WA Library Technicians Group.

New Graduates (National)
Mr Simon Lewis (please remove '.nospam' from address)
Medical and Dental Library
University of Western Australia
Phone: 08 9346 7296

Mrs Judy Allan (please remove '.nospam' from address)
Legal Aid WA Library
55 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6062
Phone: 08 9261 6217, fax: 08 9261 6213

The advantage in joining these groups and attending their events is that you are likely to hear of employment opportunities and also let these groups know of your needs as a new graduate. I would also encourage you to continue to monitor the WAIN list, as work experience opportunities do come up. Keep in contact with your course co-ordinator from your studies as libraries often contact them when they are looking for people to do short contract casual work. Don't underestimate the value of volunteer work. Special libraries particularly often have smallish cataloguing projects for which they have no funding, and are looking for 'keen students' to do it for the experience. These opportunities often come about as a word of mouth so getting yourself out and about among the groups is a good way to get known, and to hear about these opportunities.

I would strongly suggest that you check out the ALIA groups page, and see what the various groups in your interest area are doing. If they are not doing anything, don't despair, get in contact with the convenor and try to meet up for a chat, and see what you can get involved in. Being involved is the best way to meet people in your chosen sector, you will be surprised at who you bump into!

I wish you all the best in your endeavours.

Best regards
Bonnie Rae Bruce

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