A review of library and information service job advertisements: what do they tell us about work in the Irish library sector?

Abstract

Over the past fifteen years, analyses of employment advertisements have generated data on employment conditions and skill requirements for job seekers in the library and information sector. This paper analyses library and information job advertisements in the two most comprehensive appointment sections in Irish national daily newspapers over 1999 and demonstrates that a small but steady number of positions are advertised in both organs. Skill requirements vary, but experience in communications, management and information technology is essential for advancement and a professional qualification in library and information studies is essential. Most positions advertised were for work in academic and public libraries, mainly in locations on the east coast of Ireland (especially Dublin).

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References

[1] C. Cote , The library job market as seen from Quebec , Canadian Library Journal 46(3) (1989) 165-167 .

[2] J. Glenn , The future of professional librarianship in public libraries , An Leabharlann: The Irish Library 14(2) (1998) 53-58 .

[3] P. Willard and J. Mychalyn , New information management work in a changing world: an Australian survey , International Journal of Information Management 18(5) (1998) 315-327 .

[4] J.W. Palmer , Job advertisements and cataloguing skills , Journal of Education for Library and Information Science 33(1) (1992) 61-63 .

[5] A number of information officer positions were advertised which were of a strictly computing nature. The information officer positions included in this survey related solely to library and/or information services.

[6] All three were for positions in Citizens Information Services.

[7] Although most libraries are involved in continuing professional development (CPD) internally, through consortia and through the Library Association of Ireland, the only graduate programme leading to professional qualification in Ireland is offered by the Department of Library and Information Studies in University College Dublin (www.ucd.ie/%7Elis/index.html).