| Editorial:
Pay 'N' Pain
One of my proudest accomplishments with regard to Impact during 2000 was the introduction of the Library Pains column which enabled readers to express their professional worries or concerns and to ask for advice from other readers. We’ve had a variety of pains presented throughout the year ranging from institutionalised homophobia to difficulties in managing library support staff. The column has consistently attracted comment and, I hope, in certain quarters, sparked debate on the topics under discussion.
Certainly, the process of editing Library Pains has been a bit of an eye opener. One of the deeply sad things about running the column was the high volume of informal response received from Impact readers who either empathised with a particular Library Pain or who had a gripe of their own, but due to context and/or circumstance did not feel in a position to state their thoughts - anonymously or otherwise - in the pages of the journal.
A key concern presented to me by Impact readers throughout 2000 was the issue of low pay in our profession. This is a growing concern, particularly among new entrants, who often gasp with horror at the low levels of financial remuneration offered to ‘graduate qualified professionals’ after leaving information/ library school. They ask: ‘Is £14K an adequate salary for the management of a school library?’ ‘Shouldn’t I earn more than £11K for a first post in a commercial sector information unit after working so hard to obtain my Information & Library Studies degree?!’
Low pay is a problem and it is one that impacts significantly on matters of career development, not only for individuals but for the profession as a whole. Whilst I think it is fair to say that few of us enter the library/ information profession with the aspiration of becoming millionaires, I think most of us would agree ILS professionals are not paid a rate comparable to other professionals working in allied sectors [and I’m thinking here of the disparity that often exists between the salaries of ‘information officers’ and ‘information systems/ IT support workers’ within many organisations - the latter usually commanding a higher salary].
In order to promote change, awareness needs to be raised on this issue and evidence collected. So, for my last Library Pain of 2000, I’d like to ask you, the readers of Impact, to get in touch with me with your comments on the issue of low pay. Is it a problem for yourself? What would you like to see the Career Development Group or the new unified professional body do in order to represent your needs on the matter? All responses will be treated with anonymity and confidentiality. Make your views felt - my contact details opposite.
Well folks, that about it. The last issue of Impact for 2000. It’s been a fast moving year in the library and information world and I hope the journal has represented some your professional interests during the past 12 months. Personally, I’d like to thank all our contributors for their input into the journal and for making the task of co-editing Impact a lively and fun one. Both Andrew Hampson and myself wish our successors Isabel Hood and Christine Love Rodgers every success in editing Impact during 2001. Keep reading!
Peter Fairbrother
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Career
Development Group: the essential health supplement - Alan Watkin
