The preliminary proposals from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to the review of the classification of occupations sees some very positive recommendations for library and information services.
As outlined in our previous ALIA Blog, ALIA's submission strongly advocated for the occupation of Teacher Librarian to be identified separately, instead of being subsumed under Primary and Secondary School Teachers. We also jointly with others advocated for updates of the outdated descriptions of the roles of Librarians, Library Technicians and Library Assistants.
The preliminary proposed changes are now up on the ANZSCO website, and it is a good news story.
For the first time ever, it is proposed that Primary and Secondary Teacher Librarians are recognised as distinct occupations.
Furthermore, the joint updated lead statement on the role of Librarian has been adopted.Health, Legal, Metadata, Reference and Research, Childrens and Youth, and Systems Librarians are now identified as specialisations.
The consultation outcome proposes a new role of Library Services Manager that includes some of the wording ALIA suggested for the librarian category, and picks up on some of the other submissions.
All ALIA’s recommendations on updating the roles and tasks of Library Technicians and Library Assistants have been proposed as changes.
Overall, the outcome is that major changes to update the ANZSCO classifications are now formally proposed. Not only are the distinct occupations of Primary and Secondary Teacher Librarians newly recognised, the revised role statements and task lists are more representative of 21st century library roles than the previous ANZSCO version.
In all, the proposed changes will help to raise awareness and better understanding of the roles of Librarians, Library Service Managers, Teacher Librarians, Library Technicians and Library Assistants, and the value of these roles within their organisations, and the wider community.
ALIA acknowledges with thanks the members of the two working groups:
The working group for Teacher Librarians compromised Dr Lyn Hay and Pru Mitchell, together with Jacqui Lucas, Trish Hepworth, Heather Brown and Lisa Lynch (ALIA).
The second working group for Librarians, Library Technicians and Library Assistants comprised Julie Barkman (TAFE NSW), Sae Re Germaine, Sara Davidson and Darren Ryan (CAVAL), Frances ONeil (representing CAUL), Gemma Siemensma (ALIA HLA) and Pru Mitchell, along with Jacqui Lucas, Trish Hepworth, Lisa Lynch and Heather Brown (ALIA).