COMMON ISSUES, RECRUITMENT, AND MENTORING Jesús Lau, Ph.D Universidad Veracruzana Library Director / On UACJ sabbatical leave, México __________________________ Panel: ¿Qué queremos? What Do Librarians from Mexico and Texas Want, Texas- Mexico Relations Committee/Tall Texans Roundtable, Texas Library Association Conference, Houston, TX, April 4, 2003
Common Issues Share a unique international library border Spanish-speaking users Collection building need to move towards bilingualism Ignore the potential of library neighbours on both sides US library practices permeate down South When the US sneezes Mexico catches a cold Economies tied up even more along the border NAFTA opened up some exchange/colaboration opportunities
Recruitment and Retention Professional pool is smaller even so outside Mexico City Professionals move less around Jobs tend to be life engagements at middle level Working schemes tend to be rigid Library directors come and go as higher up officials leave
Mentoring new leaders Association work New job responsabilities Committee work Lead task forces Continuing education Academic tutoring Mentoring is similar in general
An open invitation to you all! Come and attend XXXIV Jornadas Mexicanas de Biblioteconomía / Annual Library Conference ”Bibliotecas e información en la sociedad globalizada” Asociación Mexicana de Bibliotecarios, AC (AMBAC) / Universidad de Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, México,May 14-16, 2003
Thanks to the Texas-Mexico Relations Committee for building up closer LIBRARY links between our countries!