New Librarians:

International
Perspectives

Loida Garcia-Febo
Coordinator, Special Services
Queens Library, New York
IFLA/ FAIFE Secretary
http://www.ifla.org/new-professionals
http://npsig.wordpress.com
/
IFLA/ New Professionals SIG
Argentina
• Brainstorming Session
– Building of global information
networks between new
professionals.
– Helping new professionals
get the best out of the IFLA
conference.
– Exploring the possibility of job
exchange and mentoring
schemes.
– Concentrating on issues of
recruitment and work
experience for newcomers to
the profession.
IFLA New Professionals
Oslo

• Program Title: New Professionals,

New Experiences, New Ways of
Working
– USA, UK, The Netherlands,
Uganda
– IFLA President, Professional
Committee

• Social Evening
IFLA/New Professionals SIG
Seoul

• Program Title: Dynamic Roles

for New Librarians
– Leonard Kniffel, Editor in
Chief of American Libraries,
ALA magazine
– Jana Varlejs, Chair of
Continuing Professional
Development and Work Place
Learning Section of IFLA
– IFLA President
IFLA/New Professionals SIG
Durban, South Africa

Program Title: Developing Library Professionals

IFLA/New Professionals SIG
Quebec
Program Title:
Mind the gap: bridging the inter-
generational divide to future-proof
the profession
– American Library Association
– Australian Library and
Information Association
– Deutscher
Bibliotheksverband e.V.
(DBV),
– German Professional
Association (BIB)
– Mexican Library Association
(AMBAC)
IFLA/New Professionals SIG
Milan
Satellite Meeting:
Moving in, Moving up, and Moving
on: Strategies for Regenerating
the Library & Information
Profession
Bologna, Italy

Program Title:
Creating a Positive Environment
for a Multi-generational Library
and Information Workforce
IFLA/New Professionals SIG
Gothenburg

Program Title: The Global Librarian

Boras, Sweden
 New Librarians
International/National Association
Activity and Career Survey

A total of 176 individuals responded to the

questionnaire including new librarians and soon-
to-graduate librarians from five continents and
12 countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada,
England, Germany, Italy, Kenya, Nigeria, New
Zealand, Norway, South Africa, and the United
States.
 Participants

64% were librarians with five or fewer

years of experience.
72% were under the age of 38

32% special libraries

29% public libraries

29% academic libraries

 Other findings
• Amazons: 91% were women
• Library associations: 73% members of a
national library association
• Dilemma:
– 97% of respondents would consider
pursuing a position in a library sector
other than the one they belong to now.
– 73% staying in the library for another 5
years
 Great Exodus?

86%
(152) mentioned that libraries are not
offering leadership programs for their
newly hired professionals
 A Plan for Action
 Develop tools and materials to assist new
librarians in becoming leaders within libraries
and professional associations.

Help to increase awareness about the

interests, skills and professionalism of new
graduates.
 A Plan for Action

• Recognize new professionals' needs for

appropriate pay, respect, and inclusion in
strategic planning activities; many
newcomers want to help drive change.

• Partner with national, provincial and

regional associations to offer workshops for
all streams of new librarians.
 A Plan for Action

• Increase funding that enables new

librarians to attend professional
conferences.

• Create in-house career development and

leadership training programs for
newcomers.
 A Plan for Action

• Promote new librarians as the future of the

profession (and the workplace.

• Take risks with new librarians; trust that

they have the education, skills and desire
necessary to successfully execute projects.
New Librarians Around the Globe
New Professionals @

• Special Interest Group

• Building Strong Library Associations
• President's Working Group
• FAIFE
• Technology Initiatives
Recommendations*

•Run an effective association

•Give others a chance to work
•Bring them in
•Give support
•Put them in charge
– *Bob McKee, CILIP Chief Executive @ NPSIG
Program in Quebec. 2008.
Recommendations

•Dare

•Partner

•Brainstorm

•Strategize

•Take Action
 YES!

loidagarciafebo@gmail.com
Twitter: loidagarciafebo