ALIA New Graduates Group

New Librarians Symposium 1.5: What, when, how and who?

By Sharon Uthmann

Question: If you provide a new librarian with a rainbow of coloured pens, a table full of funky stickers, and a blank piece of business-card sized cardboard, how much of the material would they use?

Answer: Every single minute bit of it. Why? Because they are creative, bright, funky and want the world to know what a great profession they work in!

On Friday 5 December 2003, over 100 newly-graduated librarians (all bright, funky and creative) converged on the Carlton Crest, Brisbane for the ALIA New Librarians Symposium 1.5.

To kick start the day, Fiona Emberton stepped up to centr- stage and gave a session on 'To be Inspiring' [PDF, 14KB].

And yes, she was very inspiring. From getting us to come up with job title for the future, to discussing ways of getting that dream job, Fiona provided us with a very interesting, exciting and stimulating presentation that really set us up for what the day was all about discovering about the many avenues a person, in this profession, can take. And to seize all opportunities that come to you and make it happen for you!!

Introducing Beth Mayo, queen of job-seeking skills. Beth informed us of just what employers are looking for in applications and interviews.

From what to put in your résumé/CV, to how to respond to selection criteria, Beth has the knowledge. Interview tips were also mentioned.

I found her presentation [PDF, 8KB] particularly useful and will keep all the knowledge gained at hand for the next time I apply for a job.

I have just realised that I forgot to mention the wonderful, and very yummy, breakfast and morning tea that was put on in the morning - all appreciation and gratefulness to go to James Bennett (breakfast) and Thomson Gale (morning tea). You can always judge a well-organised workshop by the quality of the food - it was tops!

Next under the spotlight were three very different people, from three very different areas of the profession. David Stephens (manager, electronic publishing services, Qld Health), Rowan Salt (call-centre team leader, Griffith University) and Natalie Blanchard (sales manager - Swets Information Services).

Each speaker gave a bit of background into how they got into the area they currently work in, and gave tips on how you can get into non-traditional library roles [Microsoft Word, 22KB].

I must mention Natalie's reference to the book Oh the places you'll go! by Dr Seuss. Natalie pulled a wonderful quote from this book, and I would highly recommend everyone go out and read this book, as it gives you a totally different perspective on how you interpreted it as a child (if you read it as a child).

On and on you will hike. And I know you'll hike far and face up to your problems whatever they are.

You'll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You'll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life's a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left.

And you will succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98.75 per cent guaranteed.)

Kid, you'll move mountains!

Very inspiring indeed!

Another very yummy meal followed this presentation - lunch! Much thanks to Southern Scene.

The coloured pens, stickers, and business cards came out during the next session. Create your own business card was the theme of the activity. Check out some of the 'works of art'.

Queensland Library Achiever of the Year (2003), Jane Cowell (Manager, Caboolture Shire Council Library Service), stepped into the limelight and shared with us her experiences [PDF, 8KB] of being presented Queensland Library Achiever of the Year.

The 'library express' service (operating out of Caboolture Railway Station), which Jane was influential in creating, was one of the main reasons for her nomination. Along with the opening of the Narangbar Library, Project Goal and My Zine.

A session on 'Remembering my first job' followed.

Instructions and experiences on presenting your first conference paper were shared by Kate Sinclair (liaison librarian for Law and Legal Studies, Flinders University Library). Kate is the convenor for the 2nd ALIA New Librarians Symposium to be held in Adelaide in 2004.

Kate has almost convinced me to present a conference paper at the next NLS in Adelaide, although I'm still not too sure on what topic I can present on - any ideas?

Afternoon tea was yet again a wonderful, yummy event - thanks to QUT - School of Information Systems.

UK (United Kingdom) here I come! Well, after Natasha De Guiseppe (Librarian, Sunnybank Hills Library, Brisbane City Council), presentation on 'Working Overseas' [PDF, 29KB], I'm there (once I complete my BA (Library and Information Science))!

Hints and tips on working overseas were covered, along with suggesting that we should not let job titles get in the way of us applying for the job! Opportunities are abundant in the UK, although a little research into travel information and the agencies that provide library work won't go astray!

Did I mention acting as a skill that most new librarians have? Well, Kate Watson (Collection Development and Systems Administration, Rockhampton City Council/ALIA New Graduates Group Secretary), and Alison O'Connor (Melbourne Library Services Manager, Blake Dawson Waldron/National convenor ALIA New Graduates Group) certainly displayed theirs during their presentation titled 'Being on a Committee - Project Management and Networking.'

After role playing a situation in which one new librarian was trying to work out how to become more active in the profession, and the other giving advice, they certainly got their point across. Join the e-lists that interest you, attend conferences and workshops, network within your organisation/state/country, join ALIA, attend local group meetings and in short - be active!

And that is the point that should be pushed - to get out of the organisation/ALIA/your job; you have to put in what you want to get out! Be active, be funky, be creative, be initiative, be inspiring, be motivating, but most importantly Be You!

We won't mention what happened at the Cocktail Party, kindly sponsored by Bolinda! 8-)