THE MOBILE LIBRARIAN

Patricia Layzell Ward, Editor, Library Link

No, I am not thinking about the librarians who travel round by van, boat and camel to deliver books to readers in remote areas, but rather the opportunities that a career in librarianship can present for travel. And it is an opportunity to be seized and rarely will anyone offer it to you - you have to go and find out about the ways in which it can be achieved.

The benefits are great - we are fortunate to work in a field where the fundamental principles relating to professional practice are the same around the world. The readers, users or clients may vary; the state of technology will be different; the cultural setting strange at first - but basically we are in the business of linking people with books and information. That may be a small child looking for picture books, a student searching for material for an assignment, a lawyer needing precedents for a case they are working on, or an elderly person just looking for "a good read". Such examples can be found almost anywhere. The way in which the need is met, together with the level of resources available, presents the professional challenge. If you have your basic qualification, either paraprofessional or professional, have membership of a professional association; you are equipped to look for a similar post elsewhere. So how do you go about it?

This piece was sparked by a recent announcement from IFLA/OCLC who are sponsoring Early Career Development Fellowships. Up to four a year will be awarded and recipients will travel to OCLC Headquarters in the USA for four weeks to participate in an intensive programme of lectures, seminars and mentoring. Librarians from developing countries will also be able to visit a few North American libraries. Further details available from OCLC or www.oclc.org/institute/ Other sources of travel scholarships can be your national professional association which may work with sponsors to provide funding. There may also be generous societies which promote friendship between your country and another, and offer travel scholarships. Often these are for cultural visits - and libraries come into the category of �culture�. Some public service or industrial groupings also offer travel awards. Check out lists of grant giving bodies and then find out dates of application, requirements etc. For making this type of application you will need to be well prepared with basic information and documentation to hand - and this takes a little time to prepare for a competitive situation. Check over your c.v. or resume and make sure it has the basic facts about you and your career to date, presented in an attractive format - and that it is short, yet informative. Work out why you would like a scholarship and what you would do with it. This means using your information skills to put a realistic package together. You will need an aim, a list of places to visit, and travel plans that are realistic. The sponsor will be looking for a learning experience, rather than a whistle stop tour - and you will be expected to produce a report! Checking travel schedules, maps, details about the organisations you would like to visit, takes more time. It is as well to have some thoughts well in advance.

There are now several summer schools that provide programmes for students from overseas. Two of the best are those offered at Tilburg University in the Netherlands and at the University of Wales Aberystwyth. They offer lectures, seminars, hands-on experience of ICT, and at Aberystwyth a study tour to see some of examples of what is reviewed during the lecture programme. Although they may seem to be expensive, the costs are really low - and some ILS schools give credit for participation in summer schools. Whilst the summer schools do not have scholarships, it may be possible to find funding in your own country, or save up for the experience.

It is now difficult to get funding to take a full-time course overseas. Few governments now have scholarships, but some countries still have aid programmes. The competition is fierce, but information can be obtained from the embassies and high commissions of the major developed countries. On the other hand students from some developed countries are now finding that it can be cost effective to study overseas as their governments impose fees. It is worthwhile to check out fees, say in the UK, Australia, Canada and the USA to see if you can get a better deal than studying at home. Universities in these countries usually have an international office and take special care of overseas students. Some North American and Australian universities have extensive programmes for exchange students - and this can extend to ILS students who may want to take one semester overseas for credit.

Students in the EU countries have better access to study in another EU country and a number of ILS schools operate co-operative arrangements.

The other opportunities for longer periods of travel depend on having a track record of practice. There has been a long established tradition of swapping jobs, houses, and cars for periods of between 3 and 12 months, which is often encouraged by employers as a form of staff development. Professional journals carry accounts of these experiences and the Thomas Parry Library at the University of Wales Aberystwyth has operated LIBEX which is a register of people seeking an exchange. Many countries have programmes of voluntary work overseas, and whilst these were often directed at new professionals keen to travel and extend horizons, now they are also targeted at the early retiree.

Travelling and working in another country is one of the best forms of career and personal development. It broadens the mind, extends professional experience and creates new friendships. I have been fortunate to have travel awards and have worked overseas for some years - very rewarding and fantastic experiences.

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