• Legal Officer (Contract)

NALIS Employment Application Form

CONTACT INFORMATION:

The Director, Human Resources Division
National Library and Information System Authority
National Library Building
Hart & Abercromby Streets,
Port-of-Spain

Email via recruitment@nalis.gov.tt

Librarians need specialised education in Library and Information Science at either the Undergraduate or Postgraduate Levels. At the Undergraduate Level one may read for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Library and Information Science. At the Postgraduate Level one may read for a Master of Library Science Degree (MLS) or a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) Degree. Students with any undergraduate major in any discipline can study for a MLS Degree.

Other positions such as Library Assistants and LibraryTechnicians range from 2 A-Levels, Associate Degree and other tertiary qualifcations. The development of expert skills is now being offered in specialised areas such as digitisation, knowledge management, information literacy and other aspects of the profession that are being defined by the technology impact on library operations.

• Public Libraries

A Public Librarian does more than check out books. This person is a technology expert, information detective, manager, literacy expert, children's storyteller, community programming coordinator and reading advisor. Some Public Librarians specialise in one service, for example: children, young adult, systems and acquisition. Specialised services can also be developed for a particular population such as the blind and physically challenged.

• School Libraries

School Librarians are also called school library media specialists. They are teachers, information partners, information specialists, reading advisors and programme administrators. They work directly with students and help them learn and grow.

• Academic/College Libraries

College and university librarianship or academic librarianship provides many opportunities for careers. Reference librarians help students, staff and faculty with research. Subject specialist work with academic departments to help build collections and provide specialised research in specific subjects. Technical Service Librarians handle purchasing and processing of materials, negotiating contracts and much more. Systems Librarians specialise in developing library computer systems and internet/web services. Other jobs combine these responsiblities and more.

• National Libraries

"The true treasure of a national library is in the collective wisdom of the nation contained within its collections: its history and achievements, its culture, its imaginative literature, its laws and commerce, its scientific and technical innovation" (Sir Colin Lucas, Chairman of the British Library Board). Most national libraries are also responsible for compiling a national bibliography, and some serve as the legal depository for works protected by copyright in the country.National libraries play a major part in preserving and conserving the heritage of the country. Jobs in the national libraries range from specialised researchers, subject specialists, indexers, conservations, preservation librarians, exhibition co-ordinators to curators. Library personnel at National Libraries provide a gateway to the countries' heritage through reference, research and outreach.

• Industry Libraries

This service would focus on a particular sector of operation as applicable to the range of industries from advertising, banking , energy and military.

• Government Libraries

Within the government sector, there are a number of special libraries which are set up to support the information needs of the particular areas of responsibility, for example, special libraries exist in the Ministries of Agriculture, Energy, Planning, Trade and Industry. The Parliament also has an extensive library service.

• Special Libraries

Special Libraries are defined by the delivery of an information service in a specific subject discipline, for example: in business, law, medical, industry or a government organisation (business, law, medical).

• Business Libraries

Business Librarians or Corporate Librarians, as they are sometimes called, are responsible for providing a company with competitive intelligence. They are knowledge managers and research specialists working in a fast-paced environment.

• Law Libraries

Law Librarians serve the larger organisation: law firms, law schools, government offices, courts and other legal organisations.

• Medical Libraries

Medical Librarianship is a service profession. They provide health information about new medical treatments, clinical trials, tests and equipment to physicians, health professionals, patients, consumers and corporations. A background in health sciences and a graduate course in medical librarianship are beneficial.

• Abstractor-Indexer

Processes the intellectual content of documents for convenient retrival

• Bibliographic Searcher

Uses modern computerised information systems and databases, in batch or online mode, to identify or retrieve pertinent publications.

• Database Manager

Analyses, manipulates and coordinates "hard" data for efficient use by reasearchers and management.

• Information Broker

Performs specialised information retrieval services on a fee basis.

• Information Marketing Specialist​​

Disseminates information on products and services available in the information industry.

• Information Technology Gatekeeper

This is primarily concerned with the management and deployment of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in the library and with planning its use to develop the service. At the service delivery level, the gatekeeper's role is to provide supported access to ICT in the library and to help people make the most of technology.

• Librarian

Librarians perform a range of professional duties from building and organising library collections to disseminating and providing information to meet the needs of its diverse clientele utilising ICT.

• Media Specialist

Uses non-print technologies to expedite the flow of information.

• Net Navigator

This involves helping people find their way around the information resources contained on the internet and on other digital information sources. This persons exploits the full potential of the Internet as in information resource.

• Records Manager

Maintains systematic control of paperwork and records activities from their creation to final disposition.

• Technical Information Specialist

Uses one's subject background to assist colleagues in staisfying their information requirements.

• Technical Writer or Editor

Conveys technical information clearly to other technical audiences or the lay person.

• Information Centre Manager

Responsible for the creation and consolidation of the range of information services pertinent to the needs and operations of the organisation.

• Information Manager

Manages information systems and provides information services, information storage and retrieval, records management, and consulting on information problems within an organisation.

• Knowledge Manager

Responsible for the development of a systematic process for acquiring, creating, synthesising, sharing and using information, insights and experiences to achieve organisational goals.

• Systems Manager

Organises operation and maintenance of the computerised systems to support the delivery of online and real time services.

• Systems Librarian

Plans and implements new computerised library systems for the delivery of online and desktop services to its clients.

• Applications Systems Programmer

Writes large-scale computer programs or modifying existing programs to solve information problems in business, science, education etc.

• Information Consultant

Advises management on development, marketing strategy, and business expansion through technology information systems.

• Information Systems Engineer

Designs, implements and evaluates new ways of organising and distributing information.

• Management Information Systems Specialist

Designs and implements automated systems to satisfy the information needs of decision-makers.

• Thesaurus-Designer

Develops a controlled list of terms and conceptually associated terms for use in information retrieval systems.

• Reference Librarian

A Reference Librarian provides reference services to onsite readers, and responds to telephone, mail, and virtual inquiries. He/she oversees the daily processing of inter-library loan requests, and supervises the Reading Room and Reference Desk.

• Music Librarian

A Music Librarian selects music, books, journals, recordings, microforms, and sometimes manuscripts and other rare materials for acquisition. He/she recommends means of preservation and housing of materials in their custody and uses electronic bibliographic and reference resources to their full potential. A Music Librarian has a strong aptitude and training in both music and librarianship.

• Oral History Librarian

The Oral History Librarian makes accurate descriptive records about an individual or a specific subject area in those instances where a prior record does not exist. In so doing, he/she captures a sample of the personality of the person being interviewed by preservation of the tape recording.

• Preservation Librarian

The Preservation Librarian is responsible for planning, organising, coordinating, and implementing the preservation programme of the National Library. This includes management and coordination of preservation activities for all formats, reformatting efforts, disaster preparedness planning, staff training, and patron education related to preservation.

• Book Conservator

The Book Conservator is responsible for the conservation treatment of rare and unique bound materials including: paper treatment, document repair, binding and binding restoration. The individual assists in the planning, programme development, staff and intern training and supervision. The Book Conservator must have extensive knowledge of books and manuscript conservation techniques, and the necessary skills to implement them.

• Computer Linguist

Analyses word and language structure to determine how the computer can manipulate text for indexing, classification, abstracting. search and retrieval.

• Cyberneticist

Studies communication and manipulation of information and and its use in controlling the behaviour of biological, physical and chemical systems.

• Information Scientist

Conducts basic research on the phenomena of information.

• Educator

The Educator's role encompasses the training of both staff and clients in their use of information and communication technology and an ability to exploit for the public good. They do, however, represent a significant change of direction for library personnel and there will be a need for advanced training designed both to support these roles and to stimulate a wider process of culture change among library staff.

• Education and Training Specialist

Provides an interface between a user and a system communications network or database.

• Teacher of Information Studies

Educates others in the planning, designing, management, evaluation and use of the total information process.