Public Servant Lifestyle

Just as public libraries are boosting their visitor numbers with an increase of more than 14 million visits last year, the service faces a new challenge.

A survey carried out by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) shows that nearly a third of library staff in England will retire in the next 10 years - and library authorities are beginning to feel the pinch, with 59% saying they already have difficulty filling vacancies.

Survey

MLA chairman Mark Wood explained: "It's not simply a lack of applicants, although in some areas this is a problem, it is also attracting the right candidates. The stereotype of library workers couldn't be further from the truth. Public libraries today are thriving centres of the community, attracting people of all ages, from toddlers picking up their first book, to grandparents learning to surf the web - and the staff have to be lively, creative, out-going types, who can help users get the most out of their library visit."

The MLA survey, based on returns from more than a third of library authorities in England, suggests that around 10,800 new recruits will be needed by 2010.

The survey was undertaken as part of Framework for the Future, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) action plan to improve public library services managed by the MLA. Mark Wood again: "We took the initiative because no-one had pinned down what was happening about library recruitment at a local level. It is clear there is going to be a huge problem if local authorities do not act now. We will help them address this problem through Framework for the Future, which includes workforce development activities as well as a media campaign alerting people to the great career opportunities in public libraries."

The problem is particularly acute when it comes to managers and professionally qualified librarians. "The traditional image of someone who works in a library doesn't hold true today", asserts Bob McKee, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP), the professional association for library staff in all sectors.

Modern Multimedia Centre

"Public libraries are modern multimedia centres of information, imagination and enquiry at the heart of their local communities, and library staff at all levels need to be outgoing, confident and multi-skilled team players. That's why CILIP has developed a framework of qualifications which sets standards for the education and employment of all library staff. It's a demanding role but one that can make a real difference to people's lives."

The picture around the country is fairly constant, although London appears to be worst hit. Here, 36% of staff members are due to retire within 10 years.

People interested in finding out about a career in libraries should contact CILIP - who can provide a wide range of help to people considering a career in libraries - or ask for more information through their local public library service.

Framework for the Future - published in February 2003 - set out the government's vision for English public libraries over the next ten years. It describes a programme for transforming these well-loved institutions into centres of knowledge and creativity that continue to be relevant and valued in the 21st century.

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