As a sole person in my position in a large organisation, and also in my initial role as an information professional as a Teacher Librarian, I am sometimes a bit lost. How will I know if I am doing the job right (besides people telling me that I am doing it wrong?). What makes a good information professional? Learning how to perform the role and the skills and experience that are needed in the wider information agency world will help to alleviate some stress and inspire me as a new information professional in a wider community.
There is rarely a direct path to an information professional’s specific role (McLellan, 2023, Wee, 2023). Archivists such as those in narrow roles such as the Collection Manager and Archivist, Clare McLellan, at the Basser Library and Fenner Archives of the Australian Academy of Science has a role that is unlike any other in the country. Similarly, the role of Senior Librarian, History of the Book and Arts aka Rare Book Librarian at the State Library of Victoria held by Daniel Wee, is likely the one role to have that title, maybe in the world. Both roles are so unique in that they both have had diverse careers filled with volunteering, study, odd jobs, and networking, that have eventually led to their current roles (McLellan, 2023, Wee, 2023).
Even unique roles follow professional expectations and standards. The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA, 2020) provides a summary of the knowledge and skills for information professionals across archives, libraries and records management. These help to define the expectations for individuals who may be working alone and under further workplace policies in their roles. Furthermore, the Australian Society of Archivists (ASA, 2023) outlines the Code of ethics guiding archivists on legal and ethical standards. The use of these standards can aid in the reflection that should take place by librarians and archivists as practitioners (Hull et al., 2011) to improve themselves and the services they provide.
Roles in information agencies can be isolating (McLellan, 2023, Wee, 2023). The need for networking between information professionals in similar roles is paramount not only for professional development but also professional confidence (Smith, 2018). In addition to the need for collegial relationships, there is a strong need for a high emotional intelligence and social skills to build rapport and adequately service all users of an information agency (Blessinger, 2002, Hiller Clark, 2015).
Relationships are imperative to information professional’s roles. Without them I probably won’t survive as a Teacher Librarian. I need to work on building relationships within the workplace to show my value to users and management. Also within the network of Teacher Librarians to gain insights into the role that I have yet to understand. Lastly, build relationships to cater for the range of social and emotional users of the library space. But these relationships are also likely need to further my career goals through networking and also buddying up with the IT professionals when my skills run out.
References
Australian Library and Information Association. (2020). Foundation knowledge, skills and attributes for information professionals working in archives, libraries and records management. Australian Library and Information Association. https://read.alia.org.au/foundation-knowledge-skills-and-attributes-relevant-information-professionals-working-archives-0
Australian Society of Archivists. (2023). Code of ethics. Australian Society of Archivists. https://www.archivists.org.au/about-us/code-of-ethics
Blessinger, K. D. (2002) Problem patrons: all shapes and sizes. In K. Sarkodie-Mensah (Ed.), Helping the difficult library patron: new approaches to examining and resolving a long-standing and ongoing problem (pp. 3-10). Routledge.
Hiller Clark, A. V. (2015). Transferable skills: from rocks to books. In D. Lowe-Wincentsen (Ed.), Skills to make a librarian: transferable skills inside and outside the library. (pp. 38-17). Elsevier Science & Technology.
Hull, B., Churkovich, M., Oughtred, C., & Turner, D. (2011). Understanding libraries: communication is the issue. Chandos Publishing.
McLellan, C. (2023, September 6). Basser Library and Fenner Archives virtual study visit [online recording]. ETL512, Interact2. https://interact2.csu.edu.au/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_71124_1&content_id=_6040729_1&mode=reset
Smith, S. (2018). No librarian is an island: making good connections. The School Librarian, 66(3), 146-148.
Wee, D. (2023, September 7). Rare books collection, State Library of Victoria virtual study visit [online recording]. ETL512, Interact2. https://interact2.csu.edu.au/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_71124_1&content_id=_6040729_1&mode=reset
