POSITIVE COMMENTS

The Vision…meets its aims quite well.

LA

Well done.

LA

Seems fine.

LA

I think you have a fair balance between the economic/cultural areas our profession encompasses.

IIS

This is a well thought out proposal.

LA

Already sounds very good and inclusive to me.

LA

The Vision is quite good and encompasses most of what it should do…

IIS

I like the educational role of library/information professionals being stressed - this must stay in - well done!

LA

Seems to cover the area pretty well

LA

I think it covers the full range of our activities

IIS

Just fine

LA

Very positive and directional.  The new organisation should have a very clearly defined ‘purpose’ in order to make it ‘matter’ in today’s society.  Now to convince society!

LA

Excellent - hits the nail on the head.  I would add one word though (in light of Elspeth Hyam’s article in Record Nov p.639) It works to: ‘Position the profession at the heart of the information and communications revolution.’

LA

Excellent statement of ‘The Vision’, but no mention of books or the written word.  Might this lack alienate many library staff who work mainly with physical resources? (The Vision does not alienate me, though!)

LA

I think you are doing a good job

LA

I believe The Vision is comprehensive and very clear and I can’t think of any more to add.

LA

I thought it was fine.  I think revalidation needs to be compulsory though not voluntary.

LA

An excellent and comprehensive statement!

LA

Excellent there are no long lists including everything the profession does; it’s encapsulated in relatively short sentences!

LA

I particularly like good ‘punchy’ phrases eg “at the heart of” and “champion those skills”.  Also easily remembered keywords - safeguard, effective organisation, educational programmes.  Good stuff!

LA

Puts across a positive, dynamic image. Sadly suspect there is a gap between rhetoric and reality.

LA

Extremely comprehensive and inclusive - I like it.

LA

The definition of an information professional is superb and will be worth using in a CV!

LA

Particularly like Para 3 on the multi-faceted role of info professionals.

LA

CONTENT

General Comments

It is difficult to understand how a committee of Information Professionals can produce a page of text conveying no significant information at all.  Cut the waffle, look at the existing IIS and LA constitutions for the aims of that organisation and merge them.

Both

The Mission is great, the Vision is too long and does not stress enough the importance of building on skills we already have.  It sounds too much as if we all need to learn a whole load of new skills and reinvent ourselves.

Vision implies concentration of the future and our concern with exploitation of the flow of current and future information resources.  It should not be forgotten that we are also concerned with the storage and exploitation of the recorded thought of the past.

The whole emphasis seems to be on service and enabling other professions, when in fact information professionals must surely be leaders and the more control in the Info. Revolution.  Personally I would rather be the brains behind a revolution that ‘at the heart of it’ - objectivity is very important.

Lifespan of term ‘knowledge manager’ - not sure if we’ll still be using that in 5-10 year alternative - ‘managers of knowledge’ better alternative.

I fail to see what the Vision is - what is the picture of where we want to be in 10 years time?  What is it that will incentivize people to join or remain?  With foreseeable changes many of those issues/benefits listed can be obtained/acquired easily without being an information professional.

No Mention of Books

For goodness’ sake mention BOOKS!

No mention of books!

The word ‘book’ seems to have been omitted.

I would like included concepts as follows:

Upholders of access the wisdom of the ages;

Through the exploitation of the printed word in book format, ensuring liberal values are perpetuated.

I believe in the importance of the book as a cultural icon, therefore I would prefer to have a reference to the conservation of knowledge in traditional formats too.

Reading, Ideas & Works of Imagination

The vision is too information-biased, it’s very mechanistic -eg only token nod towards “ideas and works of imagination” in first sentence.  The mission redresses the balance somewhat.

Deplore absence of description ‘book’.  Little emphasis given to ‘works of the imagination.’

I missed any reference to enthusiasm for the diversity of knowledge, promotion of learning etc.  It’s a big motivator, along with being part of a community (local, educational, business or whatever).

Seems very information-based.  Would like to see some reference to promoting literacy, reader development & social inclusion.

Where is fiction and love of reading?  [Add] it is crucially equipped to develop readers’ access to works of the imagination; it works to develop a passion for works of the imagination.

I should like to have seen some mention of the promotion of literature and music.

I do feel that ‘works of the imagination’ should not be marginalized.  Libraries are about more than just providing facts.

Works of imagination do take a back seat.  It is hard to be all-inclusive.  Children, those with learning difficulties, prisoners, the hospitalised and the elderly may well need information, but they need so much more.  Will those who specialise in such work feel easy and at home with this Vision?  Or extremely marginalized?

The young, old and marginalized may not recognise that they are included in this statement.

Too little emphasis on the cultural role of librarians.  I understand the need to accentuate the Information role, but surely not at the expense of the cultural!

It does not cover access to & encouragement to enjoy works of imagination - the world of self-learning is not emphasized.  It is too information biased.

Needs more explicit references to ‘reader development’ as per initiatives such as ‘Branching Out’.  As it stands, there is too much emphasis on’ Information Professionals’ and ‘Knowledge Management’.

Where is fiction and love of reading?  [Add] it is crucially equipped to develop readers’ access to works of the imagination; it works to develop a passion for works of the imagination.

Encouragement of reading (all forms of document, not just print) for pleasure, entertainment, self-actualisation/improvement, from a young age.  Support for literacy programmes.  Appreciation of literature.

I would like slightly more emphasis placed on the imaginative and creative nature of the library and information professional including reader and literature development work and audience development for arts based activities and events.

I would like more emphasis on literature and recreational services, and also recognition of librarians’ contribution to literacy.`

Like to see mention of:

Prioritising the development of reading as a skill, for enjoyment, for stimulating the imagination.

There could be more emphasis on works of the imagination (printed and multi-media)

Too commercial, information and technology biased.  Whatever happened to the Joy of reading for pleasure, widening horizons?

While I agree that our information role is vital, I am concerned that we should not lose sight of our role in lending libraries of providing access to works of imagination and recreational material. This is not emphasised quite enough and is at risk by our link with IIS, if not watched carefully.

Excellent introductory sentence, but would like to see further expansion on the librarian’s role relating to ideas and works of imagination.

The mission is very well worded up to a point.  Although I personally work in the FE sector, and the wording is therefore relevant to me: I feel that there isn’t enough emphasis on the recreational reading/enjoyment of reading and using information role of libraries.

Specific Items Not Mentioned

No specific mention of a professional opposition to censorship

Para 3 whilst including the term ‘search & filter’ makes no mention of ‘research’.  Consultants, information brokers and others often carry out detailed research in relation to their specialist areas of knowledge and not only in the field of LIS.

Possibly some mention of life-long learning.

Please include a statement showing that the society does not encourage ageism and/or roleism.

I’d like to see ‘exploitation’ of information mentioned.

Presentation/conservation/sustainable development - lack explicit reference in the above.

Para 4. Of the Vision: The role of the information professional could also explicitly mention the preservation of information resources, whether hard copy or electronic.

Include words - Preservation of information one of the aims and duties of librarians, also include the word Internet rather than hint at it.

Insufficient emphasis on social and economic role of the library in the new information society.  No mention of social inclusion.

Information Analysis is not really covered, but it’s hard to see where this could be included - perhaps in 4^th paragraph with ‘search & filter’ - search, filter and analyse, for example.  What is meant by ‘collate & synthesize’?

Add Royal to new Name (Apply through Home Office)

And Apply for a Coat of Arms (College of Arms, London)

IIS

Working on Behalf of Members/Status & Pay

Says little regarding what the new organisation will undertake for its members.

Maintain standards for the profession in terms of salaries - no ads for jobs which are clearly below standard pay.  Review salaries as urgent priority.

If the “The Library and Information Society is the voice of the information profession for the new Millennium”, perhaps it could do something about librarians’ salaries.

Position of libraries, information scientists who have taken early retirement from full-time employment.

Salaries and status - the profession as a whole is very underpaid and the professional body should seek to raise its standing.

Active role in ‘sticking up’ for staff who are victimised (eg by harassment/redundancy etc.)

More emphasis on support for individual members in every way.  There may be no wish to behave as a Trade Union but in such a new and fragmented job market many would be members will have no-one to represent them individually, should the need arise.  It often arises in special libraries.  I don’t feel ‘enhancing the role’ is quite supportive enough for when things become difficult.

Support & promotion of information professionals within their employing organisations.

Does not really say benefits of membership

Primary mission should be to promote/improve profile & status and therefore pay levels for librarians which have lagged behind teachers for 20+ years.  Far too many library graduates has produced low pay levels.

Regulation or oversight of professional qualifications (=’baggage of Association’)

What about campaigning for the membership in areas such as pay?  This is what many joined the LA for.

Speaking for the whole membership in response to government initiatives etc.  Being ‘the voice’ of the profession.

There is nothing specific in the Mission statement about enhancing or protecting the status of members or continuing to provide support for members with employment problems or queries.

To protect the interests of its members

To represent the interest of the profession (communication with Ministers etc.)

‘Representing members’ interests’ should be included

Too motherhood and apple pie, very little about members and the benefits of membership.  I pay a lot of money to be a member and want my interest represented.

I would like to have seen a strongly worded statement about the organisations’ intention to actively promote the issues of professional status and higher salaries.

I feel that the LA has sat on the fence when these issues are raised (see the LA Record letters page January and February 2000).  As we know the LA publishes a salary guide.  However month after month in the LA Vacancies supplement jobs are advertised at ridiculously low salaries.  If the LA put its money where its mouth is, it should take a stand and refuse to publish vacancies with such paltry salaries.

It is full of what we can do for the public.  It says nothing about what the organisation will do for us, its members.

to maintain and improve the working conditions, salaries, welfare etc. of its members.

Why no comments re the relationship between employees and employers, ie why cannot you start to promote the value of all schools employing a library manager - if necessary via appropriate legislation.

Definite commitments to protecting salaries - which impacts on quality of service.

Whilst commending work to ‘position’ LIS personnel at heart of ‘revolution’ and ‘enhance’ skills etc. role in promoting (higher) professional status of personnel ought to be included.

To be included: helping members of the new organisation who have problems in the workplace from being put under stress from managers.

Some mention of enhancing status/salary of members?

There is still far too little emphasis on the status, hence the credibility, hence the remuneration of librarians. Can this aspect be included in some form in the vision and mission statements please?

Safeguard minimum salary for chartered members.

Libraries & Librarians

More mention of libraries

The word “library” is only mentioned in the Vision statement when referring to the proposed name of the new organisation and the word ‘librarian’ only once.  This appears to exclude a large number of members from the Vision.

Social Inclusion/Exclusion

More to be included on the ‘social inclusion’ role of libraries - particularly public libraries.  This side of things appears to be neglected in the Vision.

Something about social exclusion

Social inclusion, life-long learning, reading as a social activity, development of reading, literacy/numeracy support

No mention of reading and literacy, or social inclusion

Vision deals with the information role of the librarian but neglects the social role (and the Government’s agenda) completely.  The balance should be re-addressed.

Role of the Organisation

It says a lot about the information profession & professionals, but very little about what the new organisation will do. 

to inform, to promote, to reach out, to unite its members

This is a statement not a Vision.  Have we got nobody with Vision on this implementation group?

In first list of bullets please consider:

safeguard and enhance the basic resources

develop educational programmes to… obtain access to, evaluate and make appropriate use

Safeguard the spectrum of views and positions explored through the democratic and legitimate publications of interest groups.

Raising the profile of librarians and information professionals

Para 3 makes no mention of ‘research’, only ‘search & filter’.  Consultants and information brokers as well as others, often carry out detailed research in relation to their specialist areas of knowledge, not only LIS.

Both

The production & encouragement of ‘best practice’ (legal & ethical issues) of and by members.

IIS

I’m concerned that the Vision seems aimed rather more at employers than at potential and existing members.  The simple word ‘support’ is noticeable by its absence.

I would like to see the terms/concepts of ‘visionary’ & ‘leadership’ or alike in association with the access to or organisation of Information/Knowledge.

The Vision fails to say anything about how the organisation will help raise the generally poor public perception and appreciation of the LIS professional.  The new organisation must actively target employers in an attempt to impress upon them the value of the professional information worker.  As a side issue, I believe that the organisation’s Mission should be to ensure equality of access to information, not merely to ‘support the principle’.

I think it needs some emphasis on support for the professional in all sectors.  Bullet point 4 is not sufficient to cover this.

Many professionals work outside the traditional information places ie libraries - using information skills but in ever more broader ways than suggested.  The above text suggest info. Professionals ‘deliver’ information only.

Not enough about being ‘proactive’ and publicising our work and what we can offer.  We need to Push.

Naïve and unfocussed.  The profession will always be a tiny part and only a tiny part of the Information Society and should speak to its specific contribution.

IIS

Emphasis more on making inroads into private/companies/businesses rather than on creativity, and the services provided to the public.  We already ‘do’ the latter well, so why not concentrate on making our name in other areas?

Co-Operation with Other Organisations

Perhaps the collaboration aspect (with other agencies in the Society and with government of course) especially in the field of culture (for public libraries) could be thought out somewhere in the first two paragraphs.  Knitting LIS into the fabric of our societies is still crucial.

1)    Liaison with other existing information organisations -eg Society of Indexers, Aslib etc.

2)    Also international liaison.

Nowhere is mentioned co-operate with international organisations such as IFLA, FID, UNESCO to ensure fair distribution of information resources around the world.

Role of the Librarian

More emphasis on how our training and expertise equips us for the roles listed and that those are professional roles not just functions.

Both

It does not clearly emphasize the role of library/information professionals in maintaining sources of information, providing access to information and the necessary number of skills involved, required by professionals.  It does not state clearly the importance of the Society for training and providing assistance & discussion to members to develop their own skills.

Stress seems to be on the professional as technician: i.e. knowing how to locate information.  A true librarian has a wide knowledge of the material of which he is custodian.  The Library Association is in danger of being swallowed up in the new technology.

The role of any information professional (librarian in old speak) worth his salt has always been multi-faceted.  The ways and means of collating and delivery of most information have changed to the advantage of the information professional and the user/customer.  Only time will tell how near to ‘the heart of the information revolution we as a profession shall get.’

We also deliver information and so are competent in choosing & using the appropriate technology. (This is different to communication).  Delivery completes the circle/cycle of information sourcing.

I should like to see more stress on the librarian as a co-operator with research, so important in our society.

1)    would add ‘innovation’ to the role of information manager

2)    add to the role of information professional the role they have in maximising information’s value to their parent organisation as part of meeting that organisation’s role.

‘The profession as a whole’ - aren’t we several professions really?

I’d like to see more reference to knowledge management in the skills LIS bring to employers, otherwise we’ll continue to be overlooked in job applications.  We need to show KM is an extension of our LIS skills base.

Both

Develop the cultural - social role of our work.  Too strong focus on information - needs to be balanced.  Also emphasize equality of access.

More emphasis on electronic information.

The new information professionals should not only design and manage knowledge systems but, equally importantly, promote them.

I feel that the tone and language of the Vision is so information oriented that the other roles of libraries and information sources are in danger of becoming subsumed by this.  It is important not to weight the role of the new body so heavily towards information that librarians, whose multi-faceted professional skills and responsibilities extend beyond this, do not feel distanced from the new organisation .

the Vision doesn’t adequately express the contributions librarians do and will make to community and personal development through providing access to both information and literature.

I am concerned that the Vision emphasises information (rather than information and literature) and that the roles emphasise organising and providing information rather than helping others to access knowledge and use it.

The new organisation has to find a way to adequately represent four strands of the profession which are currently in danger of moving in four different directions, viz.

Custodian of heritage of knowledge

Information scientist providing access to the information world

facilitator, guiding users to find and make use of information, or guiding user’ personal reader development

community activist, promoting knowledge, information and literature to potential users (especially socially excluded people, and other non-users).

I feel that maintaining a coherent vision for all these roles is becoming more difficult!

Custodial Role

Perhaps the role of custodian could be stressed more?  With technological change & development ensuring access to information from the past (ie using now defunct technologies) will become increasingly important.

More emphasis should be placed on ‘custodian’ than just that one word.  Not all future development will be electronically based, for some time to come the development and preservation of paper collections will remain important.

I think the Vision fails to ‘expose differences’ because it gives insufficient weight to the custodial role and the importance of safeguarding the existence of traditional media (ie books).

Facilitator

‘Facilitator’ role of information professional, more so than ‘custodian’ which is used.

Both

Increased emphasis on Librarian/Information Professionals as information facilitators for all in society/open to all in society/giving access to all in society.

Where They Work

 It should include some reference to the arenas in which members work - that they range from serving the whole community in a public library to serving the needs of a closely defined group with specific aims in a workplace information centre.

Many professionals work outside the traditional information places -ie libraries - using information skills but in even more diverse ways than suggested.  The above text suggests information professionals ‘deliver’ information.

Relationship with Museums & Art Galleries.

Mention of the fact that members of this organisation work in all kinds of organisations - to dispel the myth that it’s just public libraries.

More emphasis on the wide variety of work carried out under the umbrella of ‘Libraries’ e.g. schools, music/media etc.

Code of Conduct/Ethics

No reference to Code of Professional Conduct or Ethics.  Emphasis should be on personal professional responsibility.

Both

Something about professional discipline, code of conduct and professional ethics.

No reference to Code of Professional conduct or Ethics.  Emphasis should be on personal professional responsibility.

Maintenance of professional standards, maintenance of ethical standards, maintenance of Christian standards in a Christian country.

More on guarding against bias & promoting freedom of access, as in the LA Code of Professional Conduct

Needs upfront mention of key importance of Ethics as distinguishing mark of an organisation and its members.

Education

‘Educator’ is an important role, but sounds too didactic.  Could the word ‘facilitator’ be included too?

Educational functions are perhaps not adequately emphasized

Lacks focus on need for training & educating information professionals in relation to a coherent body of specialised knowledge & skills & ethics, and what the role of the new organisation would be in promoting these values.

For people outside the public library environment developing education programmes is not appropriate.  What is needed is often ‘an intermediary’ accessing information directly and sifting, assessing etc. for users/or for guidance and support to users - but not via ‘educational programmes’.

In Para 4 - to include enablers as well as educators

Probably more mention of delivery at a local level & development of lifelong learning.

‘Sharing of information’ Some brief coverage of HELP for the electronically illiterate to understand and use IT systems in the library (particularly the elderly)

More on reader development and the other benefits from a modern library - of which Information and Knowledge are part.

As a librarian specialising in work with children & young people I would like to see something about working with all ages from babies to 3^rd age.

Include ‘support for lifelong learning’ as one of the roles?

Should libraries as places be mentioned?

Need to emphasize learning along with education, and the need to empower the user constituencies. Also Knowledge as an outcome.

Equality Of Access

Reinforce the idea mentioned in the ‘Mission’ statement - ‘to support the principle of equality of access to information, ideas & works of the imagination etc.   Not only those that can pay.

Sharing of knowledge between professionals

stress free of charge access to information for the ordinary citizen.

Principle of equality should be explicitly stated in opening paragraph as well as forming part of Mission.

Safeguard the spectrum of views and positions explored through the democratic and legitimate publications of interest groups.

I am perturbed that no mention is made of ‘free’ access to information as a citizen’s right.

SPECIFIC TYPES OF LIBRARIAN/INFORMATION SCIENTIST

Cataloguers

Too much stress on educational role - there is not one.  Not enough about Classification or Cataloguing.

Lead devise, create and promote access to information

Archivists

Archives and public records

The Vision Statement although fully encompassing modern information sources and needs, does seem to lack a mention/nod to the work of archives and preservation of sources.

The organisation of archival material is important too.  Should archives get a mention?

Non-Professional Members

Acknowledgement of no-professional staff in the area of library work/information giving.  Their role is not addressed.

Please mention Library Assistants - we are important too.  The Vision is very focused on professionals - not all library staff are professional.

MISCELLANEOUS

Coming from South Africa, where Visions & Mission Statements have been much in vogue, I would say this one is much too long.  You can’t state everything - & nor should you try.  It needs to be cut by at least 50%.

I presume LA members will become members of the new Society.

Need to top up standard of qualifications at least 2 degrees, including languages and science (esp. statistics) for a standard professional.

Not as inspiring as the Vision of Bernadette.

Where is the ‘society’ going to have a voice - how is it going to represent us - it needs to be more visible - like the Royal College of Nursing. 

Laudable aims - but how do we get to be a ‘the heart of the information revolution’ ? - need to work with those who have the real power.

An important longer term aim is to aim for a more holistic prestigious body nationally including others in Information/Management/Knowledge - a partnership.

Both

Look at the areas of other Chartered Organisations.

How the Vision is going to be turned into reality.

More details of what will happen to subscriptions - post-name initials etc.

What about ASLIB members?

I agree - logically - with the Vision, name, etc. but wonder if there will be a mis-match with membership (albeit existing).  I wonder if being a professional organisation and a mach-needed pressure group is too much for our organisation even in these fast-moving times?

It talks the information professionals language well - but would it convince and enthuse the people outside (politicians, media etc.) whom we need to have on board as well?

Paragraph 1 - Librarians… are at the heart of this revolution in demand for their…expertise.  Are we?  We should be!  How does the new organisation intend to catch up with the already thriving communications industry and become part of it, when it is already off the ground and soaring away?  Isn’t the prospect of using Jeeves more tempting for the man in the street, leaving us to look after the academic/research needs of the community?

The statements read very much like the ‘profession’ has lost its way and is trying to cover all eventualities (unrealistically in my view).

The Vision statement may look attractive on paper, but it is in practice where it will be evident.  There will be obstacles from other professions at us being the heart of the information revolution.

To achieve [bullet points 2 & 3] merger with or at least significant dialogue is required with computer professionals, e.g. BCS

IIS