1.
New Librarians:
International
Perspectives
Loida Garcia-Febo
Coordinator, Special Services
Queens Library, New York
IFLA/ FAIFE Secretary

2.
http://www.ifla.org/new-professionals

3.
http://npsig.wordpress.com
/

4.
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.

5.
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

6.
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

7.
IFLA/New Professionals SIG
Durban, South Africa
Program Title: Developing Library Professionals

8.
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)

9.
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

10.
IFLA/New Professionals SIG
Gothenburg
Program Title: The Global Librarian
Boras, Sweden

11.
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.

12.
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

13.
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

14.
Great Exodus?
86%
(152) mentioned that libraries are not
offering leadership programs for their
newly hired professionals

15.
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.

16.
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.

17.
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.

18.
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.

19.
New Librarians Around the Globe

20.
New Professionals @
• Special Interest Group
• Building Strong Library Associations
• President's Working Group
• FAIFE
• Technology Initiatives

21.
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.

22.
Recommendations
•Dare
•Partner
•Brainstorm
•Strategize
•Take Action

23.
YES!
loidagarciafebo@gmail.com
Twitter: loidagarciafebo