THE LABOURERS WHO SHIFT THINGS AROUND: THE PROFESSIONALISATION OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION WORK AND ITS IMPACT ON LIBRARY ASSISTANTS′ PERCEPTIONS OF THEIR WORK Available to Purchase

The professionalisation of library and information work in England appears to have had an impact on the library assistants′ perceptions of their work. The failure of some senior members of staff to entrust their subordinates with authority and responsibility appears to engender feelings of mistrust. As the library becomes bigger and more complex,petty hierarchies develop within sections, resulting in some library assistants getting less variety of jobs and less information. This brings about a condition of low trust relationship. What is needed is a more human‐oriented approach, with more attention being paid to job content; intellectual stimulation (scope for creative thinking);training of a professional nature (scope for personal development);achievement, self respect, promotion and pay.