ACQNET: Where have the Acquisitions Librarians Gone?

Date: Sun, 22 Sep 2002 21:46:25 -0400
From: Nanette Sweetser (Univ. of Sunshine Coast)<NSWEETSE_at_usc.edu.au>
Subject: Where have all the Acquisitions Librarians

Hello Acqnet,
     I have been working in library acquisitions as a paraprofessional since
1996. I finished my library degree in 1994, hoping one day to progress
to a professional position involving collection development /
acquisitions. I worked in the book trade for a few years, and worked in
libraries since 1975, and have a life-long interest in this area. There
are very few opportunities available.
     There is no career path in the academic libraries I have worked for
recently, unlike in the 1970's and 80's , where there were professional
positions where one could 'under study' for a Head of Acquisitions role
in a large state reference library I worked at.
     At library school (1992-94), I was disappointed by the lack of
budgeting , accounting and managerial processes studied in library
education - I did a double major in Library and Information studies and
literature, and have studied half a degree's worth of library subjects.
It did include one subject on collection development, but interest in
this was mainly swept aside with - "but only senior librarians will do
selection / academic liaison / surveys...". This was the view of the
library literature available and of the academic staff teaching the
subject.
    This is not the case where I currently work, where I am doing 
selection and liaison. What I have learned, I have picked up on the job.
    As to being a professional acq librarian of some sort, I have just
about given up hope. Job specifications require reference experience
(?), or qualified accountancy or finance , or a second language
preferebly CJK or European  (I do speak French, but not brilliantly) or
6 years in a professional position in acquisitions - Catch 22.
Professional positions in acquisitions:  Where does one find that? -
see para 2 above - serials librarian in the only type of position
currently available- however these positions also generally require
years of professional experience to go to an interview.
It seems that the only way one can get an interview is to already be
either a pro acq or serials librarian ( for at least 6 years if
possible)
     To get a chance at a serials librarian position, I have to become a
serials technician to become eventually a serials librarian. Then I
might progress to an acquisitions librarian. However serials librarians
also require the 'professional' experience of at least 2-6years.
Any professional library experience is only realisitically obtainable
in Reference / Information services, which is the only library area
where libraries are currently employing new / inexperienced staff. The
attitude of Reference /IS employers seems to be (to me personally) that
anyone who works in technical services is regarded as retarded socially
and mentally.
    .. Also, I must admit that I privately think being an "older" person
at 47 is also a definite disadvantage. Despite my flexibility, my
excellent academic qualifications, my new ideas and my experience, I am
continually gazumped in jobs by younger interviewees.
    I may as well get used to looking at the brick library wall for the
rest of my life.
     Its lucky that I still like my job and the place that I work !
     Cheers and good luck with that reference job!
Nan

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Nan Sweetser                        E-mail: nsweetse_at_usc.edu.au

Acquisitions Technician             Tel: +61-7-5430-2812
University of the Sunshine Coast    Fax: +61-7-5430-2810
Library Collection Services         http://www.usc.edu.au
Maroochydore D. C. Qld 4558
Australia

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