Careers Spotlight

Library and Information Careers Spotlight project – results and reflections from Roma Bains

Starting a career in Library and Information Management can be exciting but also slightly confusing. The main that entices many including myself is that the sector presents a huge variety of roles, from academic and public libraries to research support, archives, digital services, knowledge management and publishing. For students and early-career professionals, knowing where to begin can sometimes feel like trying to find a book that has been shelved in three different places.

This was exactly the case for me. Towards the end of my Master’s degree, I felt both prepared and uncertain. I had developed useful knowledge and skills, but I was still unsure about the practical next steps into the profession. Conversations with other students and also published research showed that many of us had similar questions: what do different roles really involve, which skills matter most, and how have professionals found their way into the sector?

That is where I created The Library and Information Careers Spotlight, in response to those questions. Its aim was simple - to provide honest and practical insight from people working across Library and Information Management. Rather than polished career descriptions, I wanted to ensure that the project gathered real experiences, routes into the profession, reflections on the realities of different roles, and advice contributors wish they had received when starting out.

The form was shared through CILIP Northwest channels, and I was delighted to receive numerous generous and thoughtful responses from information professionals. Their contributions highlight the many different routes into the sector and the broad range of skills, experiences and perspectives that people bring to their work. I can only thank those who contributed, and I can certainly say that the advice will make the difference in the steps of countless curious and ambitious students.

Ultimately, I hope that sharing these stories helps make the profession feel a little less closed-off and a lot more possible. Knowledge exchange can open doors and when we make career journeys visible, we can help break down barriers and encourage a more diverse range of people to see a future for themselves in Library and Information Management.

Finally, email addresses have been noted of those contributors who are happy to be reached out to, if anyone reading feels that they would love a conversation.

Thank you to everyone who contributed, and happy reading!

View the contributions here.