Training Library Assistants. Library Training Guides

Citation

Reid‐Smith, E.R. (1998), "Training Library Assistants. Library Training Guides", Asian Libraries, Vol. 7 No. 10, pp. 304-305. https://doi.org/10.1108/al.1998.7.10.304.6

With the onset of graduate professional “education” it became necessary to provide “training” for library assistants (or paraprofessionals), which might articulate with professional aspirations but was intended to provide a discrete and rewarding career path. Within this context Margaret Lobban (Associate Librarian at Napier University) presents a summary of training opportunities and issues for the use of library managers and trainers, as well as library assistants themselves.

Typical of the series of which it is a part, it is clearly set out and gives excellent advice. After glancing at duties in academic and public libraries the guide details the content of areas to be covered in training: induction, interpersonal skills (often neglected in our professional courses), skills training, bibliographical and reference skills, information technology skills, continuing self‐development within the organisation, and supervisory training. Delivery methods, educational opportunities, notes on British qualifications and the management of training are all concisely stated. Appendices give nine examples of training programmes, and there is a short list of useful addresses.

Although well written and succinct, and in an area which desperately needs more attention and opportunities, I suspect that only the larger library systems will purchase this for their staff. The qualifications, addresses and bibliographical references are restricted to Britain, seriously reducing the cost benefit of this work in other countries. However, the chapters on content, delivery methods and managing training could most usefully be read by librarians anywhere needing to think about staff training, and the appendices are excellent models of good practice in any country.