Hong Kong Library Education & Career Forum香港圖書館教育及職業講座

28 July 2012

Academic Libraries 學術圖書館

Owen TamAssociate Librarian

Fong Sum Wood LibraryLingnan University

譚文力嶺南大學鄺森活圖書館

圖書館副館長

Academic Libraries in Hong KongUniversity Grants Committee (UGC) funded

higher education institutions:Chinese University of Hong Kong (7 libraries)City University of Hong Kong (2 libraries)Hong Kong Baptist University (3 libraries)Hong Kong Institute of Education (2 libraries)Hong Kong Polytechnic University (1 library)Hong Kong University of Science Technology (1

library)Lingnan University (1 library)University of Hong Kong (6 libraries)

Academic Libraries in Hong KongOther higher education institutions:

Caritas Institute of Higher EducationChu Hai College of Higher Education Hang Seng Management CollegeHong Kong Academy for Performing ArtsHong Kong College of TechnologyHong Kong Shue Yan UniversityHong Kong Sports InstituteThe Open University of Hong Kong Tung Wah CollegeVocational Training Council

Major Functional Areas of Academic LibrariesAdministration

Reader Services

Resources Services

Others

• Strategic Planning & Policy Making

• HRM• Budgetary

Planning & Control

• Space & Facility Development

• Intra and Inter-institutional Collaborations

• Marketing & PR

• Reference• Information

Literacy• Access &

Circulation• Interlibrary

Loan• Media

Services

• Collection Development & Management

• Acquisitions & Serials

• Gift & Exchange

• Cataloguing• Preservation

• Systems & IT Support

• Web Design• Special

Collections• Institutional

Repositories• Archives• Special

Projects

Staff Size of UGC-funded Academic LibrariesOver 900 FTE staff

Largest 209 staffSmallest 37 staff

165 FTE Professional Staff (18%)Largest 32 staffSmallest 10 staff

762 FTE Support Staff (82%)Largest 178 staffSmallest 27 staff

Pro-fes-

sional Staff ; 18%

Sup-port

Staff , 82%

Job Opportunities in UGC-funded Academic LibrariesIn the last 12 months, 60 job vacancies were

advertised:

30 at Professional Ranks (librarian positions) 12 jobs at Assistant Librarian II level 18 jobs at more senior levels

30 at Paraprofessional Ranks (support staff positions) 11 jobs require an undergraduate degree (mostly IT

related)

Positions in Academic LibrariesProfessional Ranks Paraprofessional Ranks

• Librarian

• Deputy Librarian/Associate Librarian/Senior Sub-Librarian

• Sub-Librarian/Senior Assistant Librarian

• Assistant Librarian (I/II)

• Executive Officer/IT Officer/Senior Library Assistant

• Assistant Library/IT Officer (I/II)

• Library Assistant (I/II)

• Library Attendant

Basic Qualifications RequiredProfessional Ranks Paraprofessional Ranks

Undergraduate degree

AND

Recognized professional qualification in librarianship:MLS or equivalent, e.g. full membership of recognized professional associations

• Officers/Assistant Officers/Senior Library Assistant: an undergraduate degree

• Library Assistants: 5 passes in HKCEE and/or a recognized certificate for library assistants

Years of Relevant Work Experience RequiredProfessional Ranks Paraprofessional Ranks

• Librarian: at least 10 years of experience at senior management level

• Deputy Librarian/Associate Librarian/Senior Sub-Librarian: substantial years of experience of which at least 5 years at managerial level

• Sub-Librarian/Senior Assistant Librarian: around 10 years

• Assistant Librarian I: at least 5 years

• Assistant Librarian II: less than 5 years

• Executive Officer/Assistant Library Officer I/Library Assistant I: at least 4 to 5 years

• Assistant Library Officer II/Library Assistant II: less than 4 years

Example 1: Professional Position Assistant Librarian I/II (Systems Development and Support)

The appointee will be responsible for providing technical support to Library operations. He/She will be required to (a) manage the Innopac Library System and other Library mission critical systems; (b) support and participate in Library Web services development; (c) assist in the formulation of systems policies and procedures and be responsible for their enforcement; (d) be responsible for the maintenance, upgrade, procurement, and budget management of IT related equipment and software; (e) liaise with internal and external service providers for IT support; and (f) supervise and train supporting staff.

Requirements: Applicants should have (i) a good university degree in a relevant field; (ii) recognized professional qualifications in Librarianship (MLS or equivalent); (iii) preferably 5 years of relevant working experience; (iv)working knowledge of UNIX, Linux, MS Windows server operating systems; (v) experience in networking and Web application development; (vi) knowledge of programming languages (e.g. ASP, PHP, Perl, Java, JavaScript, Visual Basic); (vii) demonstrated supervisory and project management skills; and (viii) a good command of English and Chinese. Previous experience in academic libraries, knowledge of the Innopac Library System and familiarity with information processing of CJK materials will be advantageous.

Example 2: Professional Position Assistant Librarian II – First Year Initiatives Librarian

The appointee will be responsible for (a) conducting research on the information behavior of first year students; (b) improving, developing and promoting library services to first year students; (c) creating / improving online tutorials, preparing teaching materials and conducting specific workshops as well as individual instructions; and (d) providing general reference services to users.

Requirements: Applicants should have (i) a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, particularly in the business, humanities or social sciences; (ii) recognized professional qualifications in Librarianship (MLS or equivalent); (iii) about five years of working experience in libraries, preferably in academic libraries and (iv) a good command of English and Chinese (Cantonese and Putonghua). Previous experience in developing library instructional materials and conducting information literacy instructions to students will be advantageous.

Example 3: Paraprofessional Position Assistant Library Officer I / II (Electronic Resources & Serials Management)

The appointee will assist the Electronic Resources and Serials Librarian in planning, implementing, and managing library electronic and serials resources on the Digital Library, E-Journal Portal, Online Catalogue, 1-Search, and Web-Scale Discovery platforms. He/She will be responsible for (a) providing programming support for data conversion, linking, and integration of library electronic resources; (b) supporting the development and maintenance of the SUMAS library resources subscription management system and knowledgebase; (c) supporting database access management and resolving access problems with vendors; (d) participating in the evaluation of new electronic resources; and (e) assisting in pricing and contract negotiation with publishers and vendors. Shift duties will be required.

Requirements: (i) a good university degree in Information Management / Systems; (ii) minimum four years' post-degree relevant working experience; (iii) working knowledge of PHP, ASP.NET, VB.NET, SQL, and Web development tools; (iv) working experience in Linux/MS Windows Server environment troubleshooting and maintenance; (v) excellent planning, analytical, negotiation, and project management skills; and (vi) a good command of English, Putonghua and Cantonese. Previous experience in academic libraries and knowledge of the Innopac-Millennium Library System will be advantageous.

Example 4: Paraprofessional Position Library Assistant II

The appointee will be responsible for (a) processing HKALL loan requests; (b) uploading PCCIR records into the Innopac System; (c) refilling student print accounts; (d) patrolling library public areas; (e) assisting in preparation of statistical reports and updating of display boards/library news; and (f) assisting in training of library student service ambassadors. He/she is also required to provide support to handle ILL, RAPID article requests and local TV programmes and counter duties as assigned by supervisor(s). Shift duties will be required.

Requirements: (i) at least Form 7 or equivalent qualifications, with 5 subjects at or above Grade E/Level 2 in HKCEE including Chinese and English (at least Grade C if Syllabus A) and Mathematics (preference will be given to candidates with diploma/higher diploma in library studies or related disciplines); (ii) a good command of English and Chinese (including Putonghua); and (iii) skills in MS Office and general productivity software. Previous experience in academic libraries and knowledge of the Innopac/Millennium System will be advantageous.

How to find a job?

Where?HKLA Website: www.hkla.orgSCMP Classified Post: www.classifiedpost.comCareer Times: www.ctgoodjobs.hkUniversity websites

How to find a job?When applying for a job:

Be willing to start at a lower level to gain experience.Address the job description and requirements in your

cover letter. Explain why you are suitable for the job.Keep your resume/CV up-to-date and systematic. List

work experience and education in reverse chronological order.

Double-check your spelling and grammar before sending the application documents.

Don’t forget to sign your cover letter and application form.

How to find a job?Be well prepared for the job interview:

Double check the job description and requirements before the interview.

Visit the library’s website to have a good understanding of its services, resources, current developments and new projects.

Be punctual and confident.Listen carefully to the questions but don’t be

embarrassed to ask the interviewers to repeat their questions.

Careers in Academic LibrariesIf you like to work in a…

Academic environment which is often at the leading edge of innovation

Scholarly library collectionsServe students and facultyPlenty of learning opportunities in different

library service areasMany chances for career advancement

Come and join us!

Thank you and

Good luck!