InterALIA, June 2005
Flinders University traineeship
Janetta Mascilongo opens the doors to Flinders University Library and their trainee program.
The traineeship
The trainee librarian programme at Flinders University Library provides recently graduated, inexperienced professional librarians with an opportunity to work in a university library in a permanent continuing position. It is particularly suitable for those with no professional experience and who have a keen interest in a career in university libraries.
Appointees are classified at the Higher Education Officer 5 level, which is one level below the Flinders entry level for experienced librarians. They undertake a range of positions with the library and are rotated within the three years of their traineeship. As you will see below the trainees have been employed in all areas of the library. In many instances the trainees have moved on to positions in the HEO6 and HEO7 classifications.
There have now been more than a dozen trainee librarians appointed since the inception of the traineeship in 1994, many of whom have contributed our quick quiz below. For more information about the Flinders University Library traineeship please contact Bill Cations, University Librarian.
The trainees
Sita Austin
How long have you worked at Flinders University Library and what is your current position?
Three weeks! Currently: trainee librarian law and special collections.
What do you like best about working at Flinders University Library?
The inspiring environment, the amazing and beautiful special collections, that I go home every day having learnt something new and interesting, the welcoming people, the interesting questions that students ask!
What aspect of working in a university library do you enjoy the most?
I'm sure my answer to this question will be different in a years' time, but so far it is the fact that every day brings something new for me to learn - and I find it very satisfying when I can use my newly-found knowledge to help students. I also really appreciate working with such a supportive group of people, who are always happy to make time for any question I have.
What prompted you to apply for a trainee position?
Having done my first degree at Flinders University I already knew how fantastic the library here is, and the concept of a traineeship which does not require previous academic library experience and gives the opportunity to learn how an academic library fitted every criterion in my dream job. Really, it is an opportunity that no new graduate could pass up.
What are your career goals?
My career goals are still developing, one of the fantastic things about my current position is that it will give me the opportunity to try different areas. Working in law and special collections I have already developed an appreciation of working in a branch library, which is something I had never considered before, and I imagine that I am going to continue to develop interests as the traineeship continues. My main long terms goal in terms of career is to be in a position through which I can continue to grow personally and professionally.
Janetta Mascilongo
How long have you worked at Flinders University Library and what is your current position?
I've been here almost 2 years. I am currently acquisitions librarian.
What other positions have you held since starting as a trainee librarian?
Cataloguer.
What do you like best about working at Flinders University Library?
I think it's fantastic to work for an organisation that recognises potential and is committed to developing young professionals (young in experience not age!).
Also, the chocolate-coated raspberry liquorice found at the Whole Food Shop, completely addictive!
What aspect of working in a university library do you enjoy the most?
Having spent so much of my adult life as a university student, I love being able to work in this environment. I think there's something very rewarding in helping people prepare for their professional lives.
What prompted you to apply for a trainee position?
After graduating I found it very difficult to secure a professional position which paid a professional level salary. I was on the lookout for an opportunity where I could gain full-time continuing employment in a professional position that would help me to further develop my knowledge and skills. The traineeship fit the bill nicely!
What are your career goals?
My main goal in the short term is to continue to gain as much experience as possible in resource management. I consider myself very fortunate in my first two positions at Flinders University Library as they have helped confirm my interest and passion for this kind of work. I hope to find myself in a management role in the not too distant future. Long term, university librarian has a nice ring to it!
Debra Zott
How long have you worked at Flinders University Library and what is your current position?
Six years. Currently medical reference librarian / circulation supervisor and OH&S representative.
What other positions have you held since starting as a trainee librarian?
Cataloguer.
What do you like best about working at Flinders University Library?
It's a great place to work because I can combine my research interests and studies with my working life. My experience as a casual tutor / lecturer, and as a student myself really helps me to understand and relate to the students we support in the library, and also helps me to understand the issues facing teaching staff. I've been associated with Flinders University for 16 years, so I feel really at home here.
What aspect of working in a university library do you enjoy the most?
Supporting students in their learning endeavours and encouraging life long learning. Being an advocate for our excellent document delivery service. And the opportunity to assist with reference queries. Not to mention trouble-shooting computer and printer problems.
What prompted you to apply for a trainee position?
I wanted to work specifically at Flinders University, and take on a professional position, with the aim of one day becoming a humanities liaison librarian or working in the IT department, or document delivery. I am also interested in human resources and library administration, so I felt that being employed as a trainee would allow me the opportunity to experience and develop skills in these areas.
I also felt that I could use my teaching and learning experiences to support the learning of others.
What are your career goals?
Humanities liaison librarian (combine teaching and personal interests with librarianship), complete my PhD (English), I'd like to gain a lot of IT experience, study towards a human resources qualification.
Tom Snook
How long have you worked at Flinders University Library and what is your current position?
15 years. Metadata services librarian.
What other positions have you held since starting as a trainee librarian?
Cataloguer, acquisitions librarian, science liaison librarian.
What do you like best about working at Flinders University Library?
Being part of an organisation that has a strong commitment to service to the university community and more broadly being a part of the university with its teaching and research functions that provide a vital role in helping create an educated and innovative society.
What aspect of working in a university library do you enjoy the most?
The fact that the work of the library is so closely linked to the role of the organisation. That is, the library plays a crucial support role in providing access to the information resources and services that support the teaching and research functions of the university.
What prompted you to apply for a trainee position?
Working at the library whilst completing my undergraduate degree I had decided that I would pursue a professional career in libraries and particularly academic libraries. The traineeships were a perfect opportunity to gain the skills and experience of a professional without needing professional experience to apply for the position.
What are your career goals?
To continue to contribute to the library in whatever way possible. To continue to develop as a professional and gain the skills needed to help ensure that the library continues to function as an integral part of the university community.
Raechel Damarell
How long have you worked at Flinders University Library and what is your current position?
I began work at Flinders University Library in 1996. I am currently working as the executive assistant to the university librarian.
What other positions have you held since starting as a trainee librarian?
Cataloguing, reader services, reference librarian, circulation supervisor and liaison librarian for nursing and midwifery. I moved into my current role in library administration after returning to work part-time after maternity leave.
What do you like best about working at Flinders University Library?
I enjoy working for an organisation that takes it mission as seriously as the Flinders University Library. This library is focussed on providing excellent customer service and does so in an extremely proactive way, by constantly seeking to understand the needs of its diverse client groups and by forging strong links with the academic sector. Staff here are encouraged to be multi-skilled and flexible and our management team is far-sighted and in-tune with changes in the tertiary education sector.
What aspect of working in a university library do you enjoy the most?
I particularly enjoy helping students and staff discover the tools and resources available to help them with their learning and research. It is also exciting to see the innovative ways in which technology is put into service in this library.
What prompted you to apply for a trainee position?
Besides having always wanted to work in a higher education environment, I saw the traineeship as an excellent opportunity to get experience in a range of areas within the library. This has certainly been the case!
Amanda Nixon
How long have you worked at Flinders University Library and what is your current position?
Ten years! (subtract a year's leave without pay, and a year on maternity leave - so eight years really.) Currently part-time liaison librarian for the humanities, plus dabbling in acquisitions.
What other positions have you held since starting as a trainee librarian?
- Assistant to the university librarian (as trainee)
- Collection development librarian
- Flexible delivery librarian
- Liaison librarian for law and legal studies
- Executive assistant to the university librarian
- Liaison librarian for the humanities
What do you like best about working at Flinders University Library?
Opportunity to assist researchers doing really interesting things. Helping students who say at the end 'Oh - I wish I'd come to see you earlier in the year'. Learning new things in every new job. New opportunity to job share with Liz Walkley-Hall - what a great idea! And the cakes in the Wholefood Shop are pretty good too.
What aspect of working in a university library do you enjoy the most?
Coming into contact with researchers doing really interesting things. Dealing with (most!) students. Getting to know some students - and then seeing them graduate. That's it's a big organisation - with the opportunity to try different aspects of librarianship.
What prompted you to apply for a trainee position?
Within about a month of starting the Grad Dip, I decided that university libraries were the place for me. When the traineeship was advertised, it was definitely in the category of 'dream job'.
What are your career goals?
Can I answer that when I'm a bit more used to having a baby in the house?
Liz Walkley-Hall
How long have you worked at Flinders University Library and what is your current position?
More than ten years - that sounds like such a long time, but it's gone so quickly! I'm currently job sharing as the humanities liaison librarian with Amanda Nixon, another ex-trainee.
What other positions have you held since starting as a trainee librarian?
I began in cataloguing, then worked as a reference librarian and reserve supervisor, went on a job exchange for nine months to Scotland, came back and worked at the Sturt Campus Library as circulation supervisor, was promoted to education liaison librarian, had ten months' maternity leave, came back for a brief stint as a cataloguer, was then transferred to my current position (this might explain why the years have flown by!).
What do you like best about working at Flinders University Library?
I've been lucky enough to work in a variety of positions at Flinders, but the enduring quality seems to be the people I've worked with. I've had some very good teachers and mentors, and made some good friends too. I also like the Flinders campus - it's a beautiful place to stroll around at lunchtime, or to just sit and admire the view over the plains to the sea!
What aspect of working in a university library do you enjoy the most?
The intellectual nature of the university environment appeals to me. I like finding out about people's research interests, and assisting them with using the library's resources - whether online or 'offline' (as I saw the Google scholar web site recently describe books).
What prompted you to apply for a trainee position?
I'm ashamed to say that it was so long ago that I really can't remember what prompted it! But I should also admit that I applied for every job that was advertised, so maybe it was as pragmatic as that. Having said that, it was certainly my 'dream job' to work in a university library - maybe I conveyed that enthusiasm at the interview!
What are your career goals?
As the mother of a young daughter (16 months), my 'career' goals have shifted slightly, and I now find myself looking for that elusive work-life balance. Ask me again when said daughter has started school!
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