In the April edition of Update, there is a fascinating article from your new CILIP President, Ian Snowley, entitled "Encouraging member activism". Prompted by this, and Edward Dudley's column headed "activists arise" I am blogging the thought of how HIOW has made an impact on the region and do we, through the Committee and members, achieve the Presidential aim.
Mr Snowley is very much in favour of activists from the membership and HIOW is a good example with a strong Committee, supportive membership encouraged through a varied programme of events, and challenging bad journalism on librarianship in the region. Verbal and written feedback has confirmed that we are doing things for our members well and good communication is keeping the Committee fed with ideas. I have always cheekily thought of an advertising strapline for HIOW which is "local CILIP in action" and that's what sub Branches should be about. I have created an email service to promote communication in the region and given an opportunity to engage in web 2.0 with this blog
The other main comment in his article was about professionalism in it's broadest context; not status but pride in our qualifications and skills at all levels of library and information work. It is a shame that the management of Hampshire Libraries do not share this view and regardless of mounting criticism from employees and, importantly, the public, continue to demote and demoralise librarianship to new depths. From the letters to the local papers there would seem to be sufficient support to pass a motion of no confidence in the library management, if this was possible. HIOW has only been able to offer verbal support to colleagues under pressure but at least one local paper know that the Sub Branch has a strong view on their negative reporting on our profession and its skills. HIOW has been active in providing support networks for the Framework of Qualifications through informal email contact groups for Certification, Chartership, and Fellowship, which also include revalidation. We are also compiling a list of mentors in our region, something which has not been easy to identify from the CILIP web pages.
On the back of this Mr Snowley says that you should have fun in what you are doing. I am not sure as to whether my warped humour on librarianship is what is expect by our President. At the 2007 AGM we commented that Web 3.0 will follow Web 2.0, but soon after I found someone had adopted a picture from Star Trek's Jean-Luc Picard as Librarian 3.0 to deal with the emerging technologies efficiently. My favourite site is Warrior Librarian from Australia, from whom I have purchased the book and tshirts etc but a recent entry of cringeworthy note is a website with the blogga song; oh dear. Next year, I celebrate thirty years in the library profession having started in my primary school and continued in paid and voluntary positions. I love this career and all the challenges it brings, but having fun is just as vital as the qualifications and activism.
So viewers, or bloggas, comment on this blog or better still, get a Google account and contribute; this site is for you, the members of HIOW to use. HIOW works because of the members; we are a young Sub Branch but are very active and we will support the qualifications and skills through CPD and other events, therefore fulfilling the qualities required by our current President.
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