LIBRARIANSHIP – the changing profession Diana Edmonds Head of Libraries GLL 28 th May 2011

OF COURSE IT’S CHANGING… Our customers are changing Their interests are changing Their needs are changing Their expectations are changing And the world is changing …

A CHANGING PROFESSION IN CHANGING TIMES … Technology Economic Environment Library Location and Design

TECHNOLOGY FOR MANAGING THE LIBRARY Standardized bibliographic data minimizing in-house catalogue departments Customer-friendly and attractive (yes, we all look like Amazon now!) Accessible via the web and a phone app Linking into corporate systems

TECHNOLOGY FOR SELF ISSUE RFID systems Self issue and automated return Improved stock security Intelligent shelves Stock management by wand And soon links with the phone …

TECHNOLOGY TO ENABLE ACCESS TO INFORMATION Democratization of access to “content” Computer generated and searchable publications – the rise of Dialog The amazing Internet Providing access for all but generating issues about the validity of information

TECHNOLOGY FOR THE CUSTOMER IN THE LIBRARY Libraries now need to provide a technology offer PCs in public libraries to address the digital divide – the People’s Network Wireless access – and sockets for laptop and phone use Accessible via the web and a phone app Linking into corporate systems

ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT Enormous pressure on funding for libraries 20% of English Public Libraries under threat of closure Universities and Colleges also under pressure And the 3 rd sector …

ECONOMIC PRESSURE PLUS TECHNOLOGY Equals A reason to close libraries

THE REASONS SOUND LIKE “Everyone has the Internet now …” “Books are cheap – and you can get them from charity shops” “Libraries aren’t a priority”

IN ENGLISH PUBLIC LIBRARIES The management of the service may be transferred from the local authority To a private sector organization Or to a social enterprise So librarians may be employed by a trust, a co-operative or a private company

IN ENGLISH PUBLIC LIBRARIES 20% of public libraries in England under threat More than 20% of staff are threatened, as professional qualifications are questioned by local authorities keen to save money And RFID genuinely reduces the need for staff

BUT THERE ARE NEW LIBRARIES … And they are different After years of miserable design They are amazing …

AND THEY OFFER MORE … Places for learning, for culture, for people to meet … Co-located with other facilities, with leisure centres, with health services …

EASY TIMES FOR LIBRARIANS? … No …. But it’s still a great job! And it gives great potential to move from sector to sector within the profession

A CHANGING CAREER IN … College Library Tate Gallery Library Academic Library (working for the University and London) Bibliometric Research Librarian in University Department of Chemistry

A CHANGING CAREER IN … Small Information Business providing market research information Public Library, working in the Business Library in an oil industry environment

A CHANGING CAREER IN … Consultant Entrepreneur – developing an information business Running a public library And now working for a social enterprise outsourcing public library services

LIBRARIANSHIP IS A CHANGING PROFESSION … And maybe also a threatened profession… But we need to have confidence in ourselves as librarians And take every opportunity that comes along!

ENJOY!