Patricia Layzell Ward, Library Link Convenor, UK

Introduction
When writing of careers in the United States, Jim Sweetland made the point that it was a little complex, and in preparing this brief review of the UK situation I realised too that it was not easy to explain. So British librarians please forgive the generalisations, but the intention is to provide some useful information for information and library professionals from overseas.

The potential impact of the European Union
One of the more recent changes in employment regulation that has yet to impact on UK services is that brought about by the European Union and the free labour market. When using healthcare services in the UK, one is immediately struck by the numbers of doctors and nurses from continental Europe now practising in the UK. Yet despite the good language teaching in Europe, few information and library professionals seem to have gravitated in a westerly direction. If they are thinking of this, what do they need to know?

The state of the labour market
Perhaps the first need would be the state of the labour market. The growth areas are information management and knowledge management. In terms of the latter, some very good salaries have been attached to posts recently advertised. The job requirements have, in some cases, been vague, but range across information, records and library functions. The information function comes upfront, for the aim of the organisation to draw upon its human, as well as electronic and other documentary, resources. The increasing importance of records management and archives drives the move towards integration of services. People working in this field need to have exceptionally good communication, IT, and management skills. A qualification in the information, archive, records or library field is a plus. Whilst some posts are advertised in the professional journals, very many are filled by the recruitment agencies. Use the link to find out more about the recruitment agencies. In terms of information management many of the new posts have emerged in the services sector - in banking, law, commerce and healthcare. Typical of the special fields is that of the property industry. The Property Information Group surveyed this field and found that over half of their members earn more than �20,000 and receive many benefits such as contributory pensions, profit related pay, a season ticket loan and their professional subscriptions paid. Moving up in the finance industry can bring great rewards. The CEO of one of the largest asset management companies started her career in the information department and now earns several million pounds a year in salary and bonuses!

The academic library sector has undergone considerable change as library and IT services have merged - and some more senior positions emerge. Salaries for Directors of such services are not generally publicised but rumour indicates that one moving post recently did so to a salary of around �70,000. Public libraries have been undergoing changes of a different kind as local government has been re-organised. There are now more smaller services, but again some chiefs have moved into the senior levels of local government. The best source of information about job vacancies is a monthly supplement to the Library Association Record called Library and Information Appointments.

UK qualifications
This is where the complexity emerges, although it is important to note that courses at all professional levels should be recognised by the Institute of Information Scientists and the Library Association. These two prominent professional bodies work closely together. They may carry out joint visits to ILS schools, and some courses will qualify graduates for professional membership of either organisation. Taking a course recognised by the IIS qualifies the graduate to apply for Membership. The Library Association operates a system of Chartering library professionals who provide evidence to the Association of their continuing development before being elected as an Associate. They may later present additional evidence and be elected as Fellows.

The courses which provide these routes to qualification exist at two levels. The undergraduate courses consist of professional studies and generally study of another discipline, and may be of three or four years� duration. The graduates may have greater professional knowledge and expertise than those who take a first qualification masters degree, which generally consists of course work and a dissertation. Such courses may be of 9 or 12 months� duration. Whilst the content will meet the guidelines set down by the professional bodies, there is considerable variation between the philosophy and content of the programmes offered by the different ILS schools. The UK student has a wide range of choices.

A recent development has been distance learning undergraduate courses which enable library or information assistants to upgrade their qualifications. Students are required to have some years� practical experience before admission. They then study on a part-time basis to complete their degrees.

A newer qualification introduced by the government has received a mixed reception, though there are now signs of wider acceptance. These are the national vocational qualifications which follow a national framework designed to encourage mobility across occupations. They have been successful for para-professional staff, and involve courses provided and assessed locally. They have helped to focus interest in in-house training.

Continuing professional development Part of the confusion to an outsider comes from the second level masters courses. These upgrade the initial qualification, and some link professional and management studies. MPhils and PhDs are research degrees and it is likely that a professional doctorate will emerge in the near future.

The professional scene is lively with a number of specialist and regional groupings which organise conferences, meetings and more social events. There is a number of providers of short courses particularly Aslib, the Library Association and TFPL. Most courses are based in London, but some move out to the regional capitals.

Getting entry to the UK
For the person moving from continental Europe there are few problems. Coming from other parts of the world requires a visa and immigration rules are rather strict. If you have parents or grandparents born in the UK, then you may find entry easier. Enquiries to your nearest British embassy or consulates will provide information on the current regulations. Another way of getting UK experience is to consider an exchange with another professional. This may be for three, six, or twelve months and give the experience of working and living in another country. LIBEX is based at the Thomas Parry Library at the University of Wales Aberystwyth. It is a register of people seeking an exchange.

Working overseas
Moving to another country to work is a marvellous experience - the culture is different even if the language may sometimes be the same. The way in which we practise the profession may rest on the same foundations, but local practice adapts to local conditions. Finding new approaches and new ideas is stimulating - the term �mobile librarian� takes on a new meaning!

Sources of information
Both the Library Association and the Institute of Information Scientists provide information about qualifications and salaries. Two articles which delve deeper into the complex parts of the question are:

Challenges in developing professionals for �the information society�: and some responses by the British schools of librarianship and information studies
Ian M. Johnson Library Review, Vol. 47, No.3

Scottish/National Vocational Qualifications: revolutionaries and captives in the information society
Gillian Coker, Jennifer Drury, Anne Goulding and Evelyn Kerslake Library Review, Vol. 46, No.7