Preparing new librarians for career and organisational impact
| Pages | 635-644 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/01435121011093405 |
| Published date | 26 October 2010 |
| Date | 26 October 2010 |
| Author | Julia Leong,Maree Vaughan |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science |
Preparing new librarians for
career and organisational impact
Julia Leong
Swanston Library, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia, and
Maree Vaughan
RMIT University, Thornbury, Australia
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this case study is to report on the activities and outcomes of a facilitated
group of new librarians in one Australian university. The aims of the librarians are to increase
professional networking, to promote career development, to enhance job satisfaction and retention of
motivated staff, to grow participants’ sense of responsibility for organisational progress, and to
develop willingness to take initiative in presenting good ideas for service improvement.
Design/methodology/approach – The primary author was the initiator of, and facilitator for, the
New Professionals’ Group and was able to influence approaches taken. A variety of learning
experiences were utilised including an action learning project. Monthly meetings were held face-to-face
and an online group was used as an additional communication avenue. The progress of the group was
monitored by facilitator observation, by a participant survey after several months of operation, and by
feedback and analysis after one year.
Findings – Participation in the New Professionals’ Group had positive impact on networking
activity, career advancement, contribution to the organisation and job satisfaction. No significant
impact on staff retention was established.
Research limitations/implications – Self-report was the only means of identifying the level of
influence coming from participation in the group as compared with the impact of prior capabilities and
attitudes.
Originality/value – Induction and socialisation of new employees commonly covers organisational
structure, policies and procedures as well as job-specific training. An emphasis on career advancement
strategies and being a positive and effective voice for organisational improvement are distinctive in
the reported work.
Keywords Librarians,Employee development, Australia
Paper type Case study
1. Introduction
This article reports on work undertaken at the RMIT University Library in Melbourne
to assist new librarians in their career development and to prepare them to make
positive contributions to their organisations. RMIT University is a large institu tion
situated in Melbourne, Australia and in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in Vietnam. It is a
dual sector institution offering both tertiary and vocational and trade qualificati ons. As
there are a number of campuses in Melbourne, the University Library has six libraries
in that city.
Australian universities, like many of their international counterparts, are situated in
a rapidly changing environment that is socially, politically, technologically and
financially challenging. Although this has been the case for many years, policy
changes announced by the Rudd Labor Government in 2009 have focussed attention on
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
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Preparing new
librarians
635
Received 5 February 2010
Revised 11 April 2010
Accepted 19 April 2010
Library Management
Vol. 31 No. 8/9, 2010
pp. 635-644
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/01435121011093405
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