Academic Libraries 學術圖書館 Owen Tam Associate Librarian Fong Sum Wood Library Lingnan University 譚文力 嶺南大學鄺森活圖書館 圖書館副館長

Academic Libraries in Hong Kong University Grants Committee (UGC) funded higher education institutions: Chinese University of Hong Kong (7 libraries) City University of Hong Kong (2 libraries) Hong Kong Baptist University (3 libraries) Hong Kong Institute of Education (2 libraries) Hong Kong Polytechnic University (1 library) Hong Kong University of Science Technology (1 library) Lingnan University (1 library) University of Hong Kong (6 libraries)

Academic Libraries in Hong Kong Other higher education institutions: Caritas Institute of Higher Education Chu Hai College of Higher Education Hang Seng Management College Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Hong Kong College of Technology Hong Kong Shue Yan University Hong Kong Sports Institute The Open University of Hong Kong Tung Wah College Vocational Training Council

Major Functional Areas of Academic Libraries AdministrationReader ServicesResources Services Others Strategic Planning & Policy Making HRM Budgetary Planning & Control Space & Facility Development Intra and Inter- institutional Collaborations Marketing & PR Reference Information Literacy Access & Circulation Interlibrary Loan Media Services Collection Development & Management Acquisitions & Serials Gift & Exchange Cataloguing Preservation Systems & IT Support Web Design Special Collections Institutional Repositories Archives Special Projects

Staff Size of UGC-funded Academic Libraries Over 900 FTE staff Largest 209 staff Smallest 37 staff 165 FTE Professional Staff (18%) Largest 32 staff Smallest 10 staff 762 FTE Support Staff (82%) Largest 178 staff Smallest 27 staff

Job Opportunities in UGC-funded Academic Libraries In the last 12 months, 60 job vacancies were advertised: 30 at Professional Ranks (librarian positions) 12 jobs at Assistant Librarian II level 18 jobs at more senior levels 30 at Paraprofessional Ranks (support staff positions) 11 jobs require an undergraduate degree (mostly IT related)

Positions in Academic Libraries Professional RanksParaprofessional Ranks Librarian Deputy Librarian/Associate Librarian/Senior Sub-Librarian Sub-Librarian/Senior Assistant Librarian Assistant Librarian (I/II) Executive Officer/IT Officer/Senior Library Assistant Assistant Library/IT Officer (I/II) Library Assistant (I/II) Library Attendant

Basic Qualifications Required Professional RanksParaprofessional Ranks Undergraduate degree AND Recognized professional qualification in librarianship: MLS or equivalent, e.g. full membership of recognized professional associations Officers/Assistant Officers/Senior Library Assistant: an undergraduate degree Library Assistants: 5 passes in HKCEE and/or a recognized certificate for library assistants

Years of Relevant Work Experience Required Professional RanksParaprofessional Ranks Librarian: at least 10 years of experience at senior management level Deputy Librarian/Associate Librarian/Senior Sub-Librarian: substantial years of experience of which at least 5 years at managerial level Sub-Librarian/Senior Assistant Librarian: around 10 years Assistant Librarian I: at least 5 years Assistant Librarian II: less than 5 years Executive Officer/Assistant Library Officer I/Library Assistant I: at least 4 to 5 years Assistant Library Officer II/Library Assistant II: less than 4 years

Example 1: Professional Position Assistant Librarian I/II (Systems Development and Support) The appointee will be responsible for providing technical support to Library operations. He/She will be required to (a) manage the Innopac Library System and other Library mission critical systems; (b) support and participate in Library Web services development; (c) assist in the formulation of systems policies and procedures and be responsible for their enforcement; (d) be responsible for the maintenance, upgrade, procurement, and budget management of IT related equipment and software; (e) liaise with internal and external service providers for IT support; and (f) supervise and train supporting staff. Requirements: Applicants should have (i) a good university degree in a relevant field; (ii) recognized professional qualifications in Librarianship (MLS or equivalent); (iii) preferably 5 years of relevant working experience; (iv)working knowledge of UNIX, Linux, MS Windows server operating systems; (v) experience in networking and Web application development; (vi) knowledge of programming languages (e.g. ASP, PHP, Perl, Java, JavaScript, Visual Basic); (vii) demonstrated supervisory and project management skills; and (viii) a good command of English and Chinese. Previous experience in academic libraries, knowledge of the Innopac Library System and familiarity with information processing of CJK materials will be advantageous.

Example 2: Professional Position Assistant Librarian II – First Year Initiatives Librarian The appointee will be responsible for (a) conducting research on the information behavior of first year students; (b) improving, developing and promoting library services to first year students; (c) creating / improving online tutorials, preparing teaching materials and conducting specific workshops as well as individual instructions; and (d) providing general reference services to users. Requirements: Applicants should have (i) a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, particularly in the business, humanities or social sciences; (ii) recognized professional qualifications in Librarianship (MLS or equivalent); (iii) about five years of working experience in libraries, preferably in academic libraries and (iv) a good command of English and Chinese (Cantonese and Putonghua). Previous experience in developing library instructional materials and conducting information literacy instructions to students will be advantageous.

Example 3: Paraprofessional Position Assistant Library Officer I / II (Electronic Resources & Serials Management) The appointee will assist the Electronic Resources and Serials Librarian in planning, implementing, and managing library electronic and serials resources on the Digital Library, E-Journal Portal, Online Catalogue, 1-Search, and Web-Scale Discovery platforms. He/She will be responsible for (a) providing programming support for data conversion, linking, and integration of library electronic resources; (b) supporting the development and maintenance of the SUMAS library resources subscription management system and knowledgebase; (c) supporting database access management and resolving access problems with vendors; (d) participating in the evaluation of new electronic resources; and (e) assisting in pricing and contract negotiation with publishers and vendors. Shift duties will be required. Requirements: (i) a good university degree in Information Management / Systems; (ii) minimum four years' post-degree relevant working experience; (iii) working knowledge of PHP, ASP.NET, VB.NET, SQL, and Web development tools; (iv) working experience in Linux/MS Windows Server environment troubleshooting and maintenance; (v) excellent planning, analytical, negotiation, and project management skills; and (vi) a good command of English, Putonghua and Cantonese. Previous experience in academic libraries and knowledge of the Innopac-Millennium Library System will be advantageous.

Example 4: Paraprofessional Position Library Assistant II The appointee will be responsible for (a) processing HKALL loan requests; (b) uploading PCCIR records into the Innopac System; (c) refilling student print accounts; (d) patrolling library public areas; (e) assisting in preparation of statistical reports and updating of display boards/library news; and (f) assisting in training of library student service ambassadors. He/she is also required to provide support to handle ILL, RAPID article requests and local TV programmes and counter duties as assigned by supervisor(s). Shift duties will be required. Requirements: (i) at least Form 7 or equivalent qualifications, with 5 subjects at or above Grade E/Level 2 in HKCEE including Chinese and English (at least Grade C if Syllabus A) and Mathematics (preference will be given to candidates with diploma/higher diploma in library studies or related disciplines); (ii) a good command of English and Chinese (including Putonghua); and (iii) skills in MS Office and general productivity software. Previous experience in academic libraries and knowledge of the Innopac/Millennium System will be advantageous.

How to find a job? Where? HKLA Website: SCMP Classified Post: Career Times: University websites

How to find a job? When applying for a job: Be willing to start at a lower level to gain experience. Address the job description and requirements in your cover letter. Explain why you are suitable for the job. Keep your resume/CV up-to-date and systematic. List work experience and education in reverse chronological order. Double-check your spelling and grammar before sending the application documents. Don’t forget to sign your cover letter and application form.

How to find a job? Be well prepared for the job interview: Double check the job description and requirements before the interview. Visit the library’s website to have a good understanding of its services, resources, current developments and new projects. Be punctual and confident. Listen carefully to the questions but don’t be embarrassed to ask the interviewers to repeat their questions.

Careers in Academic Libraries If you like to work in a… Academic environment which is often at the leading edge of innovation Scholarly library collections Serve students and faculty Plenty of learning opportunities in different library service areas Many chances for career advancement Come and join us!

Thank you and Good luck!