Winning entry, CILIP/Online Information Personal Development Award 2004
Once I had decided that I wanted to work in a library environment, I started looking for a suitable vacancy. I was successful in getting a job as a library assistant in a local branch library. This experience prompted me to find out how to become a qualified librarian. I quickly decided on a logical route, with Chartership as the goal. That was just over five years ago, and since then I have been on a journey of natural progressions: a graduate traineeship, then a masters degree, followed by registration training and Chartership. Each stage provided its own challenges to overcome, particularly chartering under the 2002 regulations, as I had never produced a portfolio before.
I began working for my present employer as a library assistant, whilst studying for my LIS qualification. I then followed their Route A programme, working as a librarian. Achieving chartered status in June has already proved to be very important to my career. Being chartered meant that I was eligible to apply for my current position, within the same organisation, when the vacancy arose only a month later. Chartership also gave me the confidence and self-belief to apply, and demonstrated a degree of professional maturity to my employers. The position means I get a wider perspective of the organisation, and the internal and external factors affecting a public library service. I am directly involved in policy and strategic decisions, and get an overview of management issues, working closely with senior service managers. Thanks to the chartership process, I have the confidence and ability to form and express opinions, knowing they will be considered seriously by my colleagues. I will even be responsible for delivering one of the modules for the Route A programme that I followed earlier, concerning performance indicators.
The journey to Chartership has been one of both personal and professional discovery. Initially, I did not fully appreciate the skills and knowledge that the events I attended, and activities I took part in, to satisfy the criteria of the Route A programme were equipping me with. I certainly did not realise that they would feature in the development of my career so soon. An activity I initially got involved with in an attempt to improve my portfolio unexpectedly led to other interests and skills, not to mention the networking benefits. As events officer for the CILIP Career Development Group North West Division I have developed skills in organising and presenting events and meetings; skills I now use at work. Involvements outside work often complement the requirements of my job.
Chartership has encouraged me to take on new challenges, and taught me the value of keeping an up to date portfolio. I do not think I have reached the end of the journey yet, but I am proud of my achievements so far. Chartership, in addition to demonstrating to others that I am professional, helps me to feel professional, and has definitely energised my career.
Updated: 06 December 2004