posted on 2024-11-13, 15:04authored byCarolyn Werner
I began working at the University of Wollongong Library 12 years ago in Lending Services. Casual employment soon progressed to a limited term position and after a couple of years I was working full time in Special Collections. Our library has a strong commitment to job enrichment and when the opportunity arose a few years later to undertake a 12 month placement as a Copy Processing Officer my application was successful. Although I had no formal library qualifications, I obtained extensive on-the-job-training and support, gaining skills in copy cataloguing and end processing. A permanent position soon became available and, after a restructure, acquisitions and cataloguing were combined. After a period of training, my range of duties grew to include ordering and processing invoices for monograph titles. As part of the Business Excellence Framework used by the UOW Library the organisation aspires to develop its people to their full potential. Learning is valued and the Library prides itself on its commitment to staff and has established a comprehensive staff training and development program.
History
Citation
This conference paper was originally published as Werner, C, Obtaining library qualifications via workplace certification: an innovative professional development program to inform and inspire library staff', ALIA National Library and Information Technicians Conference, ALIA, Canberra, 2007, 1-2.