Make them stay: keeping young librarians in the profession

Abstract

Even after a successful vocational training as a librarian most of the young Swiss professionals do not stay on in the profession. A mobility project tried to counteract this trend. Two young librarians search an internship in European libraries. This internship for trainees was financially supported by the “ch Foundation for Federal Cooperation”. To find a library that was willing to mentor those young professionals as volunteers was a tough challenge.

Supporting young professionals by providing them with a good start into the work environment and labor market is an investment in the future. To those who have to rake a vocational decision the profession of a librarian becomes attractive because a rewarding follow-up can be offered after the VET Diploma (Vocational Education Training) can be offered.

Mentors and teachers who provide care beyond the VET Diploma and a Library Association who offers a mobility program, are working for a sustainable librarian education.