Library and Information Management
This page has been designed to give a starting point for those looking into careers in library and information management.
What is library and information management?
Roles can be found in many sectors, such as legal, government, public, academic and health. An information officer/manager manages and develops the procurement, supply and distribution of information for an organisation/client in support of the group's needs or objectives (Prospects). The information professional's role has changed significantly. Many traditional information roles no long have the term “library” or “librarian” in their job title. There has been a growth in electronic and digital libraries (CILIP). Information studies and library graduates who remain in Sussex generally find positions in the public sector.
Prospects
Prospects is a graduate careers website with profiles on the following jobs, which are available at www.prospects.ac.uk
Academic librarian
Information officer
Information scientist
Public librarian
Records manager
How do I get into it?
Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP)
The CILIP website discusses the skills needed for work in the sector and an overview of what a career in information work might entail.
Graduate Training Opportunities
Courses accredited by CILIP
Society of Archivists
You will find information on archive conservation, archives and records management on this website.
www.archives.org.uk
Look for courses at the university
See the courses database for University of Brighton courses or see the School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics website - www.brighton.ac.uk/cem
Finding a job or employer in this sector
Information studies and library graduates who remain in Sussex generally find positions in the public sector. The largest employers being local government, higher and further education and the health sector. Large companies in the area may have specialist business libraries. Likewise, local law firms may also occasionally advertise positions for their law collections. Opportunities in the area for information professionals may also occasionally arise in other areas including charities and civil service departments such as the environment agency.
Local professional posts are likely to appear in the CILIP vacancy bulletin (see below) or in the local press. Local public library vacancies also appear on local government websites, via job circulars that are available at libraries and job centres or via LGjobs - an online database of jobs in local government across the UK (see local government jobs below)
Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP)
Temporary vacancies via CILIP
British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies (BALPA)
BAPLA operates a vacancies board which is used by its members to advertise recent full or part time job vacancies within their library or agency.
www.bapla.org.uk
Jinfo
Jobs in information.
www.jinfo.com
Jobs.ac.uk
An online database of jobs in academic institutions around the UK
www.jobs.ac.uk
Local Government Jobs
An online database of jobs in local government across the UK.
www.lgjobs.com
Opportunities exist to work locally in academic libraries at both the universities of Brighton and Sussex. Schools and colleges of further education may also advertise positions from time to time, usually in the local press.
Local Libraries
- University of Brighton www.brighton.ac.uk/is
- University of Sussex www.sussex.ac.uk/library
- Brighton and Hove City Libraries www.citylibraries.info
- East Sussex County Council Libraries www.eastsussexcc.gov.uk/libraries
- West Sussex Libraries www.westsussex.gov.uk
There are smaller specialist libraries located on the University of Sussex campus in the Institute of Development Studies and the Science Policy Research Unit. These libraries occasionally advertise for staff.
Other Publications
- ASLIB Information - available at Falmer and Aldrich libraries.
- Opportunities - available at all libraries.
- Times Educational Supplement - available at all libraries and the Careers Centre, Falmer.
- Times HIGHER Educational Supplement - available at all libraries.
- Times Literary Supplement - available at all libraries.
Further information and Useful Links
Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP)
ASLIB
The Association for Library and Information Management is a professional association offering individuals affiliated or discounted student membership. Their website has careers information.
www.aslib.co.uk
BAPLA
The British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies, is the UK trade association for picture libraries and the largest organisation of its kind in the world. The website has some information on the industry as well as a vacancies board. There is also an online searchable database of picture libraries.
www.bapla.org.uk
Free Pint
Free Pint is a community of 51800 information researchers globally. The Student Bar is for students on information-related courses to get help with projects, find out about recruitment and placements etc.
www.freepint.com
IFLA
International Federation of Library Associations.
www.ifla.org
Archives and Records Association
The Archives and Records Association exists to promote the care and preservation of archives and the better administration of archive repositories to advance the training of its members and to encourage relevant research and publication.
www.archives.org.uk
Society of Indexers
This is the British and Irish professional body for indexing. The site includes information on careers in indexing, training and accreditation through the Society and how you can become a registered indexer.
www.indexers.org.uk