Flying solo

Abstract

In July 1995, two and a half years after the initiation of the library competency standards development project, the first set of nationally endorsed standards for the Australian library and information services industry was launched. While considerable progress has been made in education and at the workplace in the implementation of the standards, several issues have arisen which need further consideration if the effect of the standards is to spread. This article reviews what has been achieved to January 1996 and identifies some of the issues for consideration. Because the publication of the standards in Australia preceded the publication of any overseas library standards, and because most of the literature to date has dealt with the impact of competency standards on education, generally in the form of off-the-job education and training, the library and information services industry in this country is flying solo in implementing competency standards at the workplace. © THE AUSTRALIAN LIBRARY JOURNAL. All rights reserved.