Parliamentary Libraries as Workplaces
In parliamentary libraries the pace can be fast, the skills utilized and developed are wide and deep, and the opportunity to use new tools and resources is exciting. Yet, the core work remains constant: offering a confidential and non-partisan service that provides parliamentarians with accurate and timely information.
Library staff need to be nimble and innovative to find, curate and make discoverable authoritative information; super-sleuths to answer questions; adept at creating information products on a myriad of subjects; and able to provide training on tools and resources. Â Staff anticipate client needs by staying informed of Chamber proceedings and current events, and acquiring and maintaining materials in physical and electronic collections. Individual libraries are supported by the cross-Canada APLIC community and are key players in the democratic process.
Parliamentary libraries need staff that have good technical and search skills, familiarity with the latest technologies, experience in customer service and a willingness to learn. If you want to build your skills and knowledge in areas such as reference services, catalogue and classification, collection development, government documents, records management and online retrieval, you will find working at a parliamentary library engaging and rewarding.