Winter 2010
Volume 13
Number 4
Challenging Times Lizz Jennings
Christine Love-Rodgers More than just keeping your hand in
Plans for Impact 2011
Susan Mahony
Maria Cotera
Working at the African Prisons Project
Looking back (and forward)
www.cilip.org.uk/cdg/impact
ISSN 1468-1625 Impact, the official journal of the Career Development Group of CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals; formerly the Assistant Librarian, the journal of the Association of Assistant Librarians. PRESIDENT (2010) Jon Scown Libraries West Development Officer Cultural Services Admin Centre, Mount Street, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 3ES Tel: 01278 451201 Email: JMScown@somerset.gov.uk
SECRETARY (2011)
Copy can be submitted to the Editors in plain ASCII text format, MS Word format, or in the body of an email message. Accompanying photographs of a resolution of no less than 150dpi (mono) or 300dpi (colour) are welcome. Please contact the Honorary Editor for further information. Views expressed in Impact are not necessarily those of the Career Development Group or the Editors.
Chris Barker, Quincentenary Library Jesus College, Cambridge, CB5 8BL Work phone: 01223 339940 Mobile: 07939 205243 Email: cmb81@cam.ac.uk FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE GROUP Joel Kerry Email: cdgmmo@googlemail.com
HONORARY EDITOR (2011) Lizz Jennings Information Librarian (E-resources) University of Bath, Bath, BA2 7AY Email: e.jennings@bath.ac.uk Tel: 01225 383475 IMPACT COPY DATES 2011 see www.cilip.org.uk/cdg/impact
Career Development Group Website: http://www.cilip.org.uk/cdg/ Registered charity number: 313014
ADVERTISE IN IMPACT Advertise here and reach nearly 4,000 potential customers, it’s so easy! If you are interested in advertising in Impact, please contact the Honorary Editor
Winter 2010 Volume 13 No. 4 CONTENTS 76 LIZZ JENNINGS Plans for Impact 2011 77 CHRISTINE LOVE-RODGERS More than just keeping your hand in: making time for professional development in a part time post.
82 CAREER DEVELOPMENT GROUP HONORARY OFFICERS FOR 2011 83 TAMEEM ALI CDG Web survey results 85 SUSAN MAHONY Working at the African Prison’s Project 89 MARIA COTERA Looking back (and forward)
EDITORIAL
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elcome to the Winter issue of Impact, my last as Honorary Editor. Sadly this is also the last printed issue, at least for now.
In this edition Christine Love-Rodgers, discusses the challenges and rewards of professional development when you are part-time. Looking back, Tameem Ali reveals the results of the 2010 Web Survey. Our outgoing Past President Maria Cotera, reflects on her time in the Career Development Group and Susan Mahony talks about her experiences in Uganda at the African Prison’s Project. Looking forward, we announce the new Career Development Group Honorary Officers for 2011 and Lizz Jennings, the incoming Honorary Editor starts the issue by telling you more about the plans for Impact this year.
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Acknowledgements Images sourced from contributors, CDG Flickr collection, Stock.XCHNG (www.sxc.hu) and Morgue File (www.morguefile.com), under free licence.
Check out this issue online at
2011 is set to be a difficult year for some librarian colleagues. As a public librarian, can I encourage everyone to check out the Voices for the Library’s National Campaign to highlight the issues affecting public libraries as a result the budgetary pressures (for more see page 81). Finally I would like to thank the many people who have helped me out in my year as Editor and wish Impact and Lizz all the best for the future.
Alison Barlow Honorary Editor 2010
www.cilip.org.uk/cdg/impact Printed in England by Headley Brothers Ltd, Ashford, Kent Impact Winter 2010
Information Librarian Nottinghamshire County Council Beeston Library, Foster Avenue, Beeston, Nottingham, NG9 1AE Email: alison.barlow@nottscc.gov.uk 75
Plans for Impact 2011 Lizz Jennings In the Autumn issue of Impact, the then President, Jon Scown and Honorary Editor, Alison Barlow, outlined the financial challenges facing the Career Development Group. Additionally, CILIP have made changes to special interest group funding in 2011. At the last Career Development Group National Council meeting in October, 2010, after discussion, the decision was taken to produce Impact in a purely electronic format for the duration of 2011. Impact is important, and has a long history. Nonetheless, there are opportunities for improving and expanding Impact using current technologies. As the editor for 2011, I am planning to use this opportunity to make the most of these resources to ensure that Impact remains relevant and accessible, but allows readers to join in the conversation more easily. There are also possibilities for enhancing articles with more interactive content. Impact will continue the mix of career advice, reflections and global perspectives which currently contribute to its popularity. I also intend to continue producing four issues during the year, and dates will be made available on the website, but will be during March, June, September and November as at present. Feedback on any changes or ideas are welcome at any time! Whatever changes are made, you will be able to access Impact at:
www.cilip.org.uk/cdg/impact Lizz Jennings Honorary Editor 2011 e.jennings@bath.ac.uk Impact Winter 2010
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More than just keeping your hand in: making time for professional development in a part time post
Christine Christine Love-Rodgerse-Rodgers hen I returned to work part time after my first spell on maternity leave, a colleague welcomed me back by saying that ‘it was good to see I was still keeping my hand in’.
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Challenges
I was taken aback. I had always enjoyed my career and never thought of myself as someone who was just treading water. Now, as I plan towards going on maternity leave for the third time, I understand completely what she meant.
Finding time in a pressured work environment for professional committee meetings can seem impossible, when you hardly have time to get your job done. The same is true for finding time out of work to attend professional meetings when you need to be rushing back to pick up little ones from childcare. Professional development events and meetings often happen on days when you are not working (and thus have no childcare planned), or may happen at times when it is difficult for you to attend.
Working part time as an academic librarian and being mum to two boys, the rest of the time has felt like it has taken all my resources and then some. Finding time and enthusiasm for professional development on top of just doing my job has been a constant struggle.
I would pick out the main challenges of part time professional development for me as time, cost, childcare and sheer hassle.
Professional development can also reThis article aims to share some of the quire hard cash. Some of us may be things that have worked for me. fortunate enough to be funded by our Impact Winter 2010
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employers, but even so there can be additional childcare costs to be met if the event is happening on a day when you are not normally at work.
Although I do not feel this could entirely replace being there in person, this could potentially increase inclusivity and make professional involvement more possible.
And there is the hassle of it all. The number of arrangements, childcare and otherwise, that I had to make to look after everyone at home while I attended a residential conference recently would do justice to an Olympic organising committee.
I am encouraged by the development of the New Professionals network (see page 91) with its online presence. Even if it does make me realise that I am now an ‘Old Professional’!
Opportunities But there are opportunities for professional development when working part time too. Professional committees I must admit that my own report card on professional committees in the last few years would probably read ‘Could do better’. But I have managed it, if sporadically, and can see that it is possible. Professional committees are often sympathetic to childcare responsibilities and may be ready to adjust meeting times or provide help with childcare costs. They can also help those in my position simply by advertising their activities via email bulletins, as they are increasingly doing, and planning and publishing meeting dates well in advance so that childcare arrangements can be planned ahead.
Conference attendance Do not forget that professional groups and associations may also offer bursaries for conference attendance if you cannot get funding elsewhere. Although these bursaries are competitive and have award criteria to meet, do not be put off if you feel that you do not meet every criteria for the funding. Even my short experience of professional committees has shown me that applications for conference and travel awards can sometimes be thin on the ground. Why not give it a try? Volunteering Working part time may offer opportunities for volunteering. I have helped out in a small way with the library at my sons’ primary school, which is staffed day to day by parent volunteers.
Joanna Ptolomey (2009) talks about the importance of trying something new out of your comfort zone, and being involved in a school library was a very new situaIn the future cost considerations and the tion for me. development of new technologies may see an increased activity of professional As well as getting my hands dirty returngroups online via social media like ing, issuing, shelving, and tidying the Facebook TM. books, I have benefited from seeing how Impact Winter 2010
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teachers manage library sessions with together ended up taking 18. children and introduce information skills I thought that it was worth it though. Here even the youngest age groups. is why. Courses It is all about you While working part time, especially if you have responsibilities at home, may not When I returned to work after baby actually offer you more free time, it may number two, I did not just return for the offer you more flexibility to study than your money (which did not amount to much colleagues who are working full time. after childcare anyway) but also because I have enjoyed several Open University (OU) short courses (all taught online) recently, having found that funding opportunities (via ILA Scotland www.ilascotland.org.uk) were available to me on my part time salary. This would not have been possible had I been working full time.
I saw myself as being committed to the profession.
Revalidation is part of that professional commitment. Furthermore, professional development, whether in the form of revalidation or otherwise, is all about you; your skills, your learning, your development. If you are a working parent giving your time to family, work and home, it can Often my time spent on OU courses has seem that not much else is about you. been time ‘stolen’ from other things, such as commuting time on the train or waiting Why not take the chance to think about for my sons to finish their swimming lesyourself for a change? sons, and it has been gratifying to grab time back for myself in this way. I have also been able to apply for credit transfer based on my Chartership gained some years ago. So who knows, maybe I can put all of this together into a future degree. Revalidation When I returned to work part time, after having my second child, I was keen to register for revalidation, and asked for my manager’s support. She asked me why I wanted to take it on, and what I would gain from it. She was right to be cautious. What I expected to take six months to put Impact Winter 2010
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lowed me to make connections outside of my organisation. In fact, because my proposed mentor was in a role related to my I like the fact that revalidation is based own job, it helped me get my manager’s on, and aims to make sense of, the agreement for revalidation. development that you are already undertaking, whether day courses, e-learning Working part time can be isolating. Of or work based learning. While my col- necessity part time workers attend fewer leagues have undertaken MScs and meetings and have fewer conversations MBAs I know I do not have the capacity over coffee than their full time colleagues. to take this on right now. Attempting to fill this gap online can just Revalidation provides me with a structure mean more email to the mountain awaitand a goal for learning without being a ing you when you come in to work. It is far significant extra burden. I have also been better to take positive steps to meet othable to feed what I have done into my ers face to face if you can. And working appraisal meetings, copying and pasting with a mentor is in itself a learning activity from my learning log for example. that you can build into revalidation.
It is all about what you are already doing
When I completed my first Revalidation The importance of writing it down cycle I was able to use the feedback provided as a tool to discuss my future Revalidation treats writing things down professional development in my apprais- and gradually compiling documentation on your professional development as of al. key importance. Value for money
Joanna Ptolomey’s tips for new profesAlthough I work part time I find I am still sionals include: paying the flat rate CILIP subscription, no small amount these days. If all I get out of ‘Write down all the things that you my subscription is a magazine through are committed to, such as learnmy letterbox at regular intervals, I feel my ing a new skill. value for money is limited. I consider that I can get maximum value for money from CILIP by engaging with all it has to offer, in terms of professional involvement, professional development events and its professional development programme. After all, I have paid for it!
Now write down all the actions you have taken beside the commitments listed. The key thing here is that you will be doing something about it almost daily.’
Reflective writing is confidence building; it helps you realise that you really did Making connections achieve things and you really do know The Mentor support programme for something about your job. I found that revalidation was attractive because it al- helpful in the confidence-sapping experiImpact Winter 2010
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ence of returning to work after maternity Even if you feel on the fringes of the leave. professional world whilst you are working part time, you are still a potential manager Rewards and leader of library services in the future. I think one of the chief rewards of profes- That is a future worth investing in. sional development is that it reminds you about what you enjoyed about your ca- So spend some time thinking about yourself, do something new, take a risk, write reer in the first place. down what you learnt (or did not learn). Conference presentations are full of peo- Professional development part time is all ple who have said ‘yes I can’ to challeng- about enjoyment, enthusiasm, communies and new developments, in contrast to ty and commitment to your profession. the every day working life approach of And I think that is more than just keeping ‘this is the best I can do with the time and your hand in. resources I have’. Ptolomey, Joanna (2009). “Tips for encouraging growth in you as a new professional.” Impact :
Conferencing helps us to make connec- Journal of the Career Development Group Sumtions with the wider professional world, mer 2009, p.41. and new connections. Crucially, it gives Christine Love-Rodgers you a breath of fresh air and a perspecLiaison Librarian (Arts, Culture & the tive upon your own job in the wider Environment, Divinity) scheme of LIS services. University of Edinburgh
Voices for the Library
national campaign to raise the profile of UK public libraries and the value of having trained library staff
We aim to: show the value of public libraries to users in the 21st century publish stories from users about the positive impact of libraries highlight campaigns in local areas and encourage involvement Email: stories@voicesforthelibrary.org.uk Web: www.voicesforthelibrary.org.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/voicesforthelibrary Twitter:www.twitter.com/ukpling Impact Winter 2010
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Career Development Group 116th Session: 1st January - 31st December 2011 The following members have been elected to serve the Career Development Group on the Presidential Team and as Honorary Officers during 2011: President - VACANT Vice President - Viki Lagus (Northern Division) Past President - Jon Scown (West Country Division) Honorary Editor - Lizz Jennings (West Country Division) Honorary Events Co-ordinator - Nicola Healey (West Country Division) Honorary International Relations Officer - Sabelo Mapasure (West Midlands Division) Honorary Learning Co-ordinator - Karen Poole (London & South East Divisions) Honorary Membership & Marketing Officer - Joel Kerry (Yorkshire & Humberside) Honorary New Professionals Co-ordinator - Franko Kowalczuk (London & South East Divisions) Honorary Secretary - Chris Barker (East of England Division) Honorary Treasurer - VACANT Honorary Website Co-ordinator - Eleni Zazani (London & South East Divisions) Thanks are due to all members who have contributed to the nominations process by proposing and seconding candidates, as well as to all the new and continuing members of the Presidential Team and Honorary Officers for their hard work, commitment and willingness to represent and serve the Group. Vacancies If anyone is interested in seeking nominations for either of the two vacant posts; President* or Honorary Treasurer, please contact CDG Past President Jon Scown JMScown@somerset.gov.uk. *Nominees must have served on National Council as an Officer or Divisional Representative. For further information and to download nomination forms go to www.cilip.org.uk/cdg. Presidential Reception Unfortunately the Career Development Group will not be holding a presidential reception in 2011 as we do not yet have an incoming President. The current Vice President (Viki Lagus) is unable to take up the presidency due to ill health and regrettably we have not been able to find a replacement as yet. Impact Winter 2010
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CDG Website survey results Tameem Ali A survey of the CDG website was conducted in September 2010.
Ÿ
How most learnt of CDG website
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56% knew of CDG RSS feeds
Ÿ 52% knew about Quick links and There was a very poor response but of shortened urls those who completed the survey the results were as follows. Website design
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Either through CILIP membership or CILIP’s website.
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79.2% when looking for CDG information
48% considered there was the right balance between text and images
Main things liked Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
ease of navigation useful information visible links
This was borne out in the areas visited; International projects, events, divisional Main things disliked pages, New Professionals, Qualifications Ÿ events outcome and feedback Support, Impact, calendar, Chartership, Ÿ some pages out of date/more upuseful resources, contact details. to-date information Ÿ too much text on some pages, Website navigation Ÿ better balance between text/images Ÿ 58.3% found the main CDG pages Ÿ slow loading pages were okay to navigate Ÿ better use of white space on diviŸ 11% said the home page had too sion pages much information Awareness of CDG social media Ÿ 66% found information they were looking for Ÿ 88% knew of CDG presence on Ÿ 11% found information was not Facebook up-to-date Ÿ 68% on Flickr Ÿ 33% found it difficult to find contact Ÿ 64% on Slideshare details Impact Winter 2010
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Initial Changes made
ü
Use Quick links which are on all the CDG web pages
Home page (see above) It was hoped to use a different template for the homepage but this was not possible.
ü
Main contact details are on Contact us page i.e. links to CDG officers and divisional contacts
Within the template constraints, there are Text ü now 3 main headings: ü
Announcements
ü
CDG benefits
ü
Keeping in touch
ü
Subscribe to the RSS feed for the CDG and keep informed of website changes
ü
Subscribe to the CDG Bulletin and JISCMAIL lists
ü
Join the CDG using social media links on main CDG web pages
Navigation links have been changed
Impact Winter 2010
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Ensure information is up-to-date
ü
Co-ordinate publicity for events
ü
Provide events outcome and feedback
ü
Better balance of text/images
I would like to thank those who completed the survey. Improving the website is an ongoing process and feedback is always welcomed. Tameem Ali Honorary Website Co-ordinator 2010
Navigation ü
Links made clearer
Changes still to be made
Keeping up-to-date with web updates ü
More headings, bullet points, and better use of white space
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Working at the African Prisons Project Susan Mahony
Susan Mahony, CDG Bursary award winner, discusses her initial thoughts on returning from the African Prison Project (APP).
Prison Project (APP) team, and then travelled to Kampala, stopping at the Ministry to gain permission letters, before progressing to the APP office/guest house.
Susan is currently working in the UK on the Collection Development Kampala bustles with traffic - taxis Policy for the APP library service. (minibuses), boda boda (motorbike taxis), special hires (taxis) and private vehicles. The centre and arterial roads are a ntebbe Airport in Southern Ugan- commercial conglomeration of high rise da must rank amongst the most luxury buildings, market shacks and beautiful locations to land in the street upon street of small workshops world. and businesses.
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As you descend, the plane circles Lake Victoria, and the impressive scale of Africa’s scenery impacts immediately upon you. We were welcomed at Entebbe by Jonathan, a member of the African Impact Winter 2010
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The APP office in Luzira District is in a mixed area close to the biggest prison in Uganda. Here we were welcomed to a peaceful compound, from which you see Lake Victoria to the east and the prisons
to the west, visible symbols of the con- different categories of offence (for examtrasts that the project contends with. ple debt). Alexander McLean, the director of the programme, would be joining us in the second week and so during the first 10 days we familiarised ourselves with the project and accompanied the librarian, Glorias Asiimwre on her normal work routines. “It is hard to imagine the mental resilience needed to cope with so little status or control”
Glorias, a qualified librarian trained at Makere University, is the only prison librarian in the country and took up the post as a newly qualified graduate. She has had to develop the role for herself as no model exists to which she can work. APP has developed a library in the remand centre, which Glorias has set up and catalogued, but most of her work is in the literacy classes and reading groups. She runs groups in the remand centre, Murchison Bay prison, Luzira women’s prison, Luzira Upper men’s prison and on the condemned wing of Upper prison, as well as at prisons in Entebbe. She takes public transport (minibuses or motorbikes) to the prisons and runs consecutive groups throughout each day.
In prison in Uganda, living conditions can be difficult, prisoners possess very little and are lucky to have an exercise book or a pen. Although provision of the single meal a day the prison offers, is more than some living in poverty in the community can be assured of, prisoners are frequently severed from their communities, as transport costs can make it impossible for people to travel to the prison from remote areas. It is hard to imagine the mental resilience needed to cope with so little status or control. Glorias has worked hard to build relationships, which have allowed her to be accepted by both staff and inmates and as a result has set up a successful programme of reading and discussion groups that are welcomed by both. The groups are operated in English, the lingua franca in Uganda. As many of the inmates do not have even Primary education they often cannot read, so basic literacy groups have been especially popular as a means for prisoners to advance themselves. In the basic literacy group at Upper prison for example, there are up to 90 prisoner members. At each location APP has a book box from which inmates select their own books. Glorias provides specially selected, weekly titles for the basic literacy groups to read which they discuss the following week.
It is worth noting that the legal system in Uganda differs slightly to UK. In the UK prisons often hold more serious offenders as there are more community sentences. However in Uganda there are lengthy remands, since the court proc- The success of these groups has proess is slow and people go to prison for duced a few problems. Firstly there are Impact Winter 2010
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limited numbers of appropriate titles of the right level of literacy that are relevant to group members. This makes co-ordinating homework reading difficult. Though the project has received donations of thousands of books, many have limited relevance and need sorting. Secondly, Glorias had never been trained in adult literacy work. Part of our contribution was to propose different ideas for these group activities. Some of the most memorable moments of my trip took place during these groups.
tion that I had neither expected, nor expect to hear again. Without passing judgement on their crimes, APP has clearly helped these men as they confront their personal circumstances.
The women prisoners confront different issues, particularly as they are separated from their children and see them only on Sundays. Children are cared for in a Day Centre during the week. I also took some old soft toys donated by my children so we retrieved children’s books from those donated, to match for the baby box APP Motivation to learn and attend classes is provides to foster mother/baby activities. high though and prisoners both teach and avidly attend education classes. APP also supports health, legal and reProvision of APP books and a chance to integration projects. It sees libraries at discuss their ideas with someone outside the heart of its activities: as centres for of the prison is therefore a significant legal, health, education and civil rights event in the week. I have never seen information as well as a resource to fossuch animated reading groups as those ters human dignity within the prison. AAP I attended at Luzira, particularly on the now plans to expand to provide mobile condemned wing where they discussed libraries and improve services it provides books they read with passion, compas- currently. As time was short, I am now sion, dignity, humour, insight and reflec- continuing work with them on a Collec-
“they read with passion, compassion, dignity, humour, insight and reflection that I had neither expected, nor expect to hear again �
View over the roofs of Luzira Impact Winter 2010
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tion Development policy that embraces On a human level the sincerity and viboth current work and the planned de- sion of APP staff and their results are velopments. abundantly clear. Personally I made some very good The Career Development Group should friends, learnt a lot about Uganda, and be justifiably proud of its support to interabout librarianship in a very different national efforts such as these. context. Susan Mahony
New Year Appeal We are currently raising funds, with Lanka Community Information Initiative (LCII), to build a community library in the Macaldenyia Tamil Vidyalayam primary school in Sri Lanka . The Sri Lanka project will make a major impact to the community the library will support.
If every CDG member donated just £1 we would raise over £3000 in just the click of a button Just think what a difference that your £1 could make Donate through Charity Choice https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/donation.asp?ref=158224 Or via our web pages www.cilip.org.uk/cdg/international.
For more information or to get involved contact Sabelo Mapasure, Honorary International Relations Officer, sabelomapasure@yahoo.co.uk Impact Winter 2010
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Looking back (and forward) Maria Cotera
CDG Past President for 2010, Maria Cotera reflects on her time in the Career Development Group and how her role as International Officer has influenced her views and career.
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have inspired a few colleagues to join in and get involved, and that my vision for a wider inclusion of new professionals into CILIP might have allowed some new faces to be recognised, and empowered them to have their voices heard.
s my time of service to the Career Development Group comes to an end, I have been reflecting on what “ What I have gained is certainly easier to ascertain than what I have given� my contribution has been; what I have given to the Group, the profession as a whole, and the world at large (if anything), and also what I have gained from my professional Reflecting back, I see that the common activism since I first got involved back in thread during the seven years I have 2004. worked for the Group has been my commitment to international work, and I am What I have gained is certainly easier to grateful to Linda Macpherson and Joanna ascertain than what I have given. I have Ball who, after a few months of service for learnt many useful things (some profession- CDG (London & South East Divisions) comal, and others about life, human values and mittee, nominated me to take on the role of relationships), acquired many skills which Associate International Officer, supportwill no doubt help me in my future career ing the Honorary Officer. path, made lots of useful professional contacts and a few long-lasting friendships and, One of the main tasks of the international along the way, developed a confidence in role is to undertake international collaboramyself and my abilities which I certainly did tive projects on behalf of CDG. I was given not posses a few years back and might not a wonderful project to run; the construction had acquired otherwise. of a library in Tolimfundo Primary School in Soweto, South Africa, an area plagued with What I have given back is probably not for Aids and poverty, but full of enthusiasm for me to say, and will obviously depend on learning and passion for books and reading. who looks at it. I would like to think that my This opened my eyes to a new reality and passion for professional activism might fuelled my commitment to work in support
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of women, men and children around the Presidential team in 2008 through: world who see books and education as their passport to a better life. · setting up a prison library · recruiting and supporting a newly qualIn 2005 I took over the role of Honorary ified librarian, Glorias Asiimwe International Officer launching a national · writing articles for various CILIP publifundraising campaign to support future colcations laboration projects, and a new project for · talking at Prison Libraries Group Nathe reconstruction of the Ratgama Siristional Conference 2008 and CILIP Umumana primary school in Sri Lanka after the brella Conference 2009 devastation of the Tsunami on Boxing Day · helping set up the international travel 2004, which affected around 200 libraries bursary for Susan Mahony to visit the over the country, including over 165 school project (see article on page 85). libraries. In 2007, my last and final year as CDG International Officer , I identified the African Prisons Project (APP) a small UK charity which focuses in improving “the welfare, health and education of detainees in Africa” through the creation of libraries and health facilities in prisons as a worthwhile charity for CDG to work with.
In 2009, I started work as APP Education Advisor, in a personal voluntary capacity. My mission was to supervise the library and educational activities, to develop organisational strategic and working plans for the coming years, and to help identifying funding and write funding bids.
At the beginning of 2010 I was invited to This was the beginning of my involvement travel to Uganda, with our bursary winner with Luzira Remand Prison in Kampala, (though not funded by CDG) to meet the Uganda, which continued on joining the prisoners we serve, undertake needs as-
Past Presidents celebrate at Maria ‘s Presidential reception at UCL in January 2009 Impact Winter 2010
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sessments in different prisons, and to pro- Uganda to continue my voluntary work for vide literacy training for our staff working in APP. the prison libraries. So having found my dream job, through In spring 2010 I took voluntary redun- my involvement with CDG, I thought it dancy from my job as a cataloguer in UCL, made more sense to concentrate my enerleaving in the July. The initial trip having gies in seeking the funding which will allow been delayed due to the volcanic ash cloud APP to pay for my salary, rather than in till September, this gave me more time to finding another job. focus on my work as Education Advisor and prepare the visit to Uganda. My redundancy However I am realistic and know that in this payment, allowing me to cover my living tough economic crisis funding opportunities are very scarce and projects which benefit expenses. African prisoners are not exactly a priority The visit was an amazing experience, for funding bodies so I may never find the which reinforced my belief in the principles salary I need, and have just started applyof social justice, and international solidarity, ing for other jobs; nevertheless I am a CDGwhich first inspired my desire to work on trained professional activist, accustomed to international issues, when I undertook the dedicate many hours to voluntary work, and role of Associate International Officer in remain committed to continue supporting the basic human rights of African prisoners, 2004. including their right to information and eduBack in the UK I now remotely manage and cation, through my voluntary work for the support Glorias and her new assistant African Prisons Project now and once I get Stephen, have been working on the plan- back to full-time employment. ning and development of the education Maria Cotera strategy and on setting up a viable working Past President 2010 plan for the following months in collaboramariacotera@africanprisons.org tion with them, and plan another trip to
Calling New Professionals*
Register today at www.lisnpn.spruz.com
Heard about LISNPN: the network for New Professionals? Impact Winter 2010
Forum for discussion & advice LIS Events listings Links to LIS jobs Reviews of LIS Masters courses Ÿ How-To Guides Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ
*Experienced professionals needed to share their knowledge! 91
Dates Date: Thursday 3 February 2011 Event: Building Your Portfolio Join Michael Martin from CILIP and other Chartered Members to find out more about what is involved whether you are a Chartership, Revalidation and Certification candidates. Get help putting your portfolio together and following the regulations, as well as hear tips from successful candidates. Division: Scotland Time: TBC Cost: Free but booking essential Venue: Dundee TBC Contact: Celia Jenkins Email: c.jenkins@ed.ac.uk
Date: Wednesday 9 March 2011 Event: Mentoring Workshop Division: Devon & Cornwall, with PTEG Time: Whole day Venue: Exeter City College Cost: Full day ÂŁ15 (Inc. VAT) for PTEG members or ÂŁ30 (Inc. VAT) for non-PTEG members. If you have already undertaken
a formal course in mentoring then you may only need to attend the afternoon session (2 - 4.30pm) Refreshments will be provided but you are asked to bring your own lunch. Contact: Janet Westcott Email: J.Westcott@poole.gov.uk
Date: Wednesday 9 March 2011 Event: Joint AGM with Guest speaker, CILIP Chief Executive, Annie Mauger Division: London & South East Divisions) & CILIP in London Time: 18:00-19:45 (refreshments from 17:30) Cost: Free Venue: Ewart Room, CILIP, 7 Ridgmount St., London WC1E 7AE Contact: Tina Reynolds Email: tinareynolds@djdeloitte.co.uk
The Career Development Group has been awarded the CILIP Seal of Recognition, which recognises high standards in the content and relevance of its training.
Work Experience Opportunity Ruskin College Library in Oxford (http://www.ruskin.ac.uk) is looking for a volunteer to carry out some basic shelving or archiving style projects. This is a good opportunity for someone to gain basic archiving and academic library experience. Please note that this position would not replace paid staff. For more information, please contact Francesca Redman by email: fredman@ruskin.ac.uk or by post: Fran Redman, Graduate Trainee Librarian, Ruskin College, Walton Street, OX1 2HE Oxford Impact Winter 2010
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