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Examines the reasons behind deciding to change career and is a personal account of the factors to consider when applying for a position in fields related to librarianship. Assesses skills, knowledge and experience gained within library and information work and applies them to sell to prospective employers. Gives advice on how to know when the time is right to make a move, as well as useful interview tips.

Highlights some of the changes to the way local authorities provide services to racial minorities in libraries. Focuses on staffing and outreach as methods to increase participation by members of minority communities. Notes that advice is being given on how to adapt library services in preparation for European unification but little thought is being given to provision for the racial minorities within our midst.

It is acknowledged that the majority concerned with equal opportunities are looking for strategies to placate minorities rather than concede the right to share. Strategies to increase and retain employees within public librarianship are described and the ways in which services and the profession itself are promoted at present are examined as an important element to improve representation. Links which are beneficial to the profession, service and community are reforged using targeting and marketing techniques to form an action plan for effective service delivery, including the production of information in community languages and involving local talent through the provision of a platform for shared public interests. A plan to address the under‐representation of black employees at all levels within the organisation is devised, using legislation where appropriate to subsidise targeted posts. The plan aims to create a sense of ownership which should exist throughout the service to all employees and should be adapted to include strategies for addressing gender, disability and class barriers to opportunity.

No matter the title of the post or the library, one part of the job description remains the same — to assess the need for, devise ways of implementing, provide services to members of the community from a particular racial group. Although aimed at a specific clientele, the materials stocked serve a dual purpose — not only do they represent the heritage and culture of a community within the authority's borders, they also show the dominant group that a wealth of materials other than their own exist and are of equal merit.

The Library Campaign is still a force to be reckoned with. That was the message that came out of The Campaign's crisis meeting held in Birmingham on 23 September when over 50 supporters assembled to offer much needed help and expertise.

Since the early 70's, library authorities have been keen to make their services more accessible to non‐traditional users. The list of target groups for attention appears endless but roughly follows most authorities' equal opportunity statements which inlcude: black/ethnic minorities; gay men and lesbians; and the disabled. As this feature is concerned with the race dimension, I'd like to focus on service provision for black/ethnic minorities.

The African Caribbean Library Association's (ACLA) current Chair is Gloria Lock of Wandsworth Libraries. I interviewed her recently about the Association — the results of which are reproduced here with her consent.

Providing a service which reflects community needs requires data collection. The Public Libraries and Museums Act of 1964 requires local authorities to provide a comprehensive library service to those who may wish to make use of it. The Race Relations Act of 1976 requires local authorities to promote equality of opportunity in employment and service delivery. Together, library authorities are bound to ensure that services reflect the composition of their local populations through the provision of services that meet expressed needs.

Time to Move On After 15 years working within the profession, eight of which were spent as a chartered librarian, I am completing my first month as the Senior Information and Advice Officer for the London Borough of Newham's Youth Service.

Looks at the effects reduction in Local Government spending has had on race initiatives in the multi‐racial library service. Notes that multi racial librarians will be required to work two days a week at designated service points therefore diluting the service they provide. Concludes that a service for black and ethnic minority communities may be forced to depend on income from the very communities it was created to serve.