Hong Kong Library Education & Career Forum 香港圖書館教育及職業講座 28 July 2012

1. 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 Tam Associate Librarian Fong Sum Wood Library Lingnan University 譚文力 嶺南大學鄺森活圖書館 圖書館副館長

2. Academic Libraries in Hong Kong • University 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)

3. Academic Libraries in Hong Kong • Other higher education institutions: • Caritas Institute of Higher Education • Chu Hai College of Higher Education • Hang Seng Management College • Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts • Hong Kong College of Technology • Hong Kong Shue Yan University • Hong Kong Sports Institute • The Open University of Hong Kong • Tung Wah College • Vocational Training Council

4. Major Functional Areas of Academic Libraries

5. Staff Size of UGC-funded Academic Libraries • Over 900 FTE staff • Largest 209 staff • Smallest 37 staff • 165 FTE Professional Staff (18%) • Largest 32 staff • Smallest 10 staff • 762 FTE Support Staff (82%) • Largest 178 staff • Smallest 27 staff

6. Job Opportunities in UGC-funded Academic Libraries • In 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)

7. Positions in Academic Libraries

8. Basic Qualifications Required

9. Years of Relevant Work Experience Required

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. Example 4: Paraprofessional Position Library Assistant II The appointee will be responsible for (a) processing HKALL loan requests; (b) uploading PCCIR records into the InnopacSystem; (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.

14. How to find a job? • Where? • HKLA Website: www.hkla.org • SCMP Classified Post: www.classifiedpost.com • Career Times: www.ctgoodjobs.hk • University websites

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. Careers in Academic Libraries • If you like to work in a… • Academic environment which is oftenat the leading edge of innovation • Scholarly library collections • Serve students and faculty • Plenty of learning opportunities in different library service areas • Many chances for career advancement Come and join us!

18. Thank you and Good luck!