The Need for Better Library Graduates: A Demand from Latin Mexican Academic Libraries
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Library Education: Assesing Outcomes, for the Professionals in University and Research Libraries. What do we want from education?' Section of University Libraries, 66th Annual General IFLA Conference Jerusalem, Israel August 17, 2000
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The Need for Better Library Graduates: A Demand from Latin Mexican Academic Libraries
- 1. The Need for Better Library Graduates: a Demand from Latin Mexican Academic Libraries JESÚS LAU / MARTHA CASTRO A paper for the workshop "Library Education: Assessing Outcomes for the Professionals in University and Research Libraries. What do we want from education? Section of University Libraries, 66th Annual General IFLA Conference, Jerusalem, Israel, August 17, 2000, Wednesday 12:30-15:00
- 2. Presentation Topics • Type of academic librarian required • Characteristics of academic libraries • Universities’ library demands • Library school challenges
- 3. Academic Libraries • Fewer but larger • Most advanced libraries • Best budgets • Lead in technology • Hire most librarians
- 4. Academic Library Differences • Uneven national library development • Information development: chancellor driven • Some libraries lack institutional support • Best institutions have librarians • Educational process impact on libraries
- 5. Universities Changes • Learning Vs teaching oriented curricula • Undergoing changes • In search of efficiency • Technology challenges • Increased enrollment
- 6. Library Challenges • Change of information formats • New speed in information delivery • Increased cost of information • Greater competition from Internet • More knowledgeable users • Users from different locations
- 7. Librarians Challenges • Transform libraries into learning organizations • Face constant change • Adopt new organizational strategies • Offer new and more relevant services • Offer distant learning information services
- 8. Library Schools • Seven library of schools • The larger in Mexico City • Librarians: 3,000* • Student population tends to be low • Most react to challenges slowly • Newest school relies on videoconference • Covers 26 sites in the country *Estimates
- 9. Graduates profile • Strength: Bibliographic skills • Material organization oriented • Limited management skills • No English • Limited computer skills • Lack oral and written communication skills
- 10. Reform Needs in Library Schools • Change teaching methods • Update curricula • Broaden programs to cover more markets • Attract more competent students • Increase their budgets • Integrate IT to the curriculum
- 11. UACJ Hiring Experience • Recruit candidates - 1000 miles away • Few librarians in the country: 3,000 • Difficult and slow process • Insufficient number of candidates
- 12. UACJ Requirements • Information technology skills • Vision • Self management • Service oriented • Communication skills • Master English
- 13. Personal Competencies • Ability to work with limited resources • Teaching skills • Committed to lifelong learning • Business skills • Enjoy transborder culture
- 14. UACJ Professional Development • A comprehensive annual training program • Includes computing, management, etc. • Tenure after 550 TOEFL points are achieved • Annual professional evaluation • There are economic rewards
- 15. Conclusions • Mexican universities face structural changes • Libraries require a proactive role • Libraries need high caliber librarians • Schools ought to change their curricula • New graduates need to be leaders