Do library staff have what it takes to be a librarian of the future?

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to outline strategies and approaches in the workforce plan to address skill shortages in the university of Melbourne library to ensure that staff have the appropriate skills for the future.

Design/methodology/approach

The objectives were achieved by developing a workforce plan to identify skills gaps, and then to work with training providers to develop a training plan. There was collaboration with two TAFE colleges to deliver accredited courses to staff to develop the skills required, ensuring key competencies were achieved and the staff received accreditation for their learning

Findings

The workforce plan showed an aging workforce but also skill shortages across the library. If the library was to be able to deliver services to meet the needs of future students then it needed to develop training programs to enable staff to develop the appropriate skill sets required to meet the needs of the library in the future. A brief survey of participants of the course discovered staff found the course very useful, although not all staff were able to utilize their new skills as effectively as they might in their current roles. This showed a need to review and re‐write position descriptions for staff.

Practical implications

The outcomes and implications for the future are to ensure there is: an ongoing staff development and training program in place for staff to enable them to continually update their skills as required to meet the needs of the library; that staff have opportunities to utilize the new skills they have acquired to improve and deliver library services; and that staff have the appropriate time to learn and develop themselves

Originality/value

The paper shows that some of the key competencies required by staff are not always learnt in the workplace, or in universities, but can be delivered by vocational training providers such as a TAFE college. The idea of working with TAFE teachers to develop and adapt a training program is quite a different approach to solving this skill gap problem.

Citation

Kealy, K. (2009), "Do library staff have what it takes to be a librarian of the future?", Library Management, Vol. 30 No. 8/9, pp. 572-582. https://doi.org/10.1108/01435120911006539