Our Space: professional development for new graduates and professionals in Australia

Bradley, Fiona; Dalby, Alyson; Spencer, Andrew M.

doi:10.1177/0340035209346211

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 6 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Several authors have also explored the mentoring and peer support needs for new librarians (Bradley et al , 2009; Hallam and Newton‐Smith, 2006; Oud, 2008). Job rotation schemes are often used with new graduate employees, especially in medium to large sized organisations, during the employee's preparation for appointment to a substantive post (Bennett, 2003).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Job rotation program evaluation: the Niger Delta University Library

Baro

2012

Aslib Proceedings

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

PurposeSince 2004 the Niger Delta University Library has adopted a job rotation program to help solve manpower and skills acquisition problems. The study reported in this paper aimed to evaluate the Niger Delta University Library job rotation program, including the impact of the program on newly employed librarians and their job performance, and the university library.Design/methodology/approachThe study has two parts. Firstly, the paper reports results from focus group interviews with Niger Delta University librarians who participated in the job rotation program. Secondly, an interview was conducted with the Niger Delta University librarian who adopted the job rotation program to elicit insights into the impact and challenges of the library job rotation program. The Kirkpatrick and Kirkpatrick four‐level evaluation framework was chosen to use as a framework for the evaluation of the responses.FindingsThe study revealed that the job rotation program is an important program for allowing librarians to acquire new skills, enhance staff productivity, develop new relationships across the university library and gain skills needed for future career advancement. The participants in the job rotation program who were interviewed showed a high level of satisfaction with the program.Practical implicationsThe findings of this study will inform library administrators or management about the adoption of job rotation programs in their libraries. Many university libraries have problems with a lack of skills experienced by new librarians and also as a staff development tool in the workplace.Originality/valueThe paper calls for proactive effort by university libraries to adopt new strategies to enhance skills development for efficient productivity.

show abstract

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Job rotation program evaluation: the Niger Delta University Library

Baro

2012

Aslib Proceedings

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In research with an Australian focus, Bradley, Dalby and Spencer (2009) looked at the changing library and information management work environment and what impact these changes will have on new professionals, particularly when it comes to their profession. They argue that research on the changing demographics of the library profession shows that not only are its members getting older, but that comparatively few younger people are entering the profession (p. 239).…”

Section: Aging Library Workforcementioning

confidence: 99%

Leadership: Tertiary Libraries and the New Library Professional

Donaldson¹

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

<p>Research Problem: The library workforce is rapidly aging and many library leaders will be lost as they retire. This is exacerbated in tertiary libraries, which traditionally attract an older workforce. Libraries face constant change that requires leaders to negotiate. Doubts have been expressed about new library professionals’ willingness to take on leadership roles. To understand how problematic this situation is in New Zealand’s tertiary sector, this research examined the attitude of new library professionals’ toward leadership. Methodology: The research used a survey method incorporating quantitative and qualitative questions. For the purpose of this research a new library professional is defined as someone who began studying for a library qualification within the last five years, or who has completed a library qualification within the last five years. Results: 32 eligible participants took part. The results show a desire for access to mentoring and while the attitudes toward leadership are dependent on confidence, experience and involvement in development opportunities, most participants expressed a positive attitude to taking on a leadership role either now or in the future. Implications: Access to leadership development opportunities builds knowledge and confidence, and attitudes are negatively impacted without this. Mentoring is a key development opportunity that the majority of new librarians currently lack. These findings positively reinforce the leadership and mentoring opportunities currently offered by the LIANZA, although regular reminders to new professionals of these opportunities would help. The findings suggest the proposed changes to the MIS library curriculum of incorporating a practicum for all students is an additional development opportunity that will add to new professionals’ experience.</p>

show abstract

Developing a Library Association Membership Survey: Challenges and Promising Themes

Dunne¹

2022

EBLIP

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective – Many of us involved in the library and information sector are members of associations that represent the interests of our profession. These associations are often key to enabling us to provide evidence based practice by offering opportunities such as professional development. We invest resources in membership so we must be able to inform those in charge about our needs, expectations, and level of satisfaction. Governing bodies and committees, therefore, need a method to capture these views and plan strategy accordingly. The committee of the Health Sciences Libraries Group (HSLG) of the Library Association of Ireland wanted to enable members to give their views on the group, to understand what aspects of a library association are important to librarians in Ireland, and to learn about the reasons for and against membership. Methods – Surveys are a useful way of obtaining evidence to inform policy and practice. Although relatively quick to produce, their design and dissemination can pose challenges. The HSLG committee developed an online survey questionnaire for members and non-members (anyone eligible to join our library association). We primarily used multiple choice, matrix, and contextual/demographic questions, with skip logic enabling choices of relevance to respondents. Our literature review provided guidance in questionnaire design and suggested four themes that we used to develop options and to analyse results. Results – The survey was made available for two weeks and we received 49 eligible responses. Analysis of results and reflection on the process suggested aspects that we would change in terms of the language used in our questionnaire and dissemination methods. There were also aspects that show good potential, including the four themes that were used to understand what matters to members: expertise (professional development), community (connecting and engaging), profession (sustaining and strengthening), and support (financial and organizational supports). Overall, our survey provided rich data that met our objectives. Conclusion – It is essential that those who are governing any group make evidence based decisions, and a well-planned survey can support this. Our article outlines the elements of our questionnaire and process that didn’t work, and those that show promise. We hope that lessons learned will help anyone planning a survey, particularly associations who wish to ascertain the views of their members and others who are eligible to join. With some proposed modifications, our questionnaire could provide a template for future study in this area.

show abstract

Our Space: professional development for new graduates and professionals in Australia

Cited by 3 publications

References 6 publications

Job rotation program evaluation: the Niger Delta University Library

Job rotation program evaluation: the Niger Delta University Library

Leadership: Tertiary Libraries and the New Library Professional

Developing a Library Association Membership Survey: Challenges and Promising Themes

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About