Media Release
May 16 2007
State Library leads skills update for information managers
Director
of the
State Library of SA, Alan Smith has announced a new drive to upskill
library employees to meet the demands of the modern information
environment.
Smith says all future appointees will need to have a qualification
equivalent to the new
Business Information Management (BIM) degree program launched by the
University of South Australia this year.
“In the face of the enormous pressures in the information management
business, we need to ensure that all our professional staff have the
most up to date knowledge and skills. The UniSA Business Information
Management degree brings the right set of skills together in one degree.
“This is not just about having a well trained workforce, the State
Library as with many other public information sources, has a legal
responsibility to ensure the community has adequate research and
information services.
“We can’t expect to maintain that capacity without a radical new
approach to information education and recruitment. Our partnership in
the foundation of a
Chair of Business Information Management at UniSA is a strong
investment in the future of quality information management for South
Australia.”
UniSA Vice Chancellor, Professor Denise Bradley said the State Library
move to require a higher skills set for employees was an important
endorsement of a program that has built significant and welcome support
across the information management professions.
“The program is particularly attractive to people already employed in
records management, archiving, and libraries, but is also a good entry
point for those who a re looking for a new direction in what promises to
be a new and exciting frontier.”
Prof Bradley, acknowledged the support of the State Library, State
Records, the SA Government and Fuji Xerox in the funding and development
of the new degree program.
“This is a forward thinking and constructive industry partnership and it
has meant UniSA has been able to respond quickly and decisively in
developing a program that will equip graduates to work in the exciting
and demanding information management environment.”
Information sessions about the new Business Information Management
degree will be held at UniSA’s Magill campus, Lorne Avenue, Magill on
May 23 from 11- 12pm, followed by a BBQ lunch. The session will be
repeated at the City West campus from 4:30 and 6:30pm on May 24 in the
Yungondi Building, 70 North Terrace.
Contact for interview
-
Prof Paula Swatman office (08) 8302-0238 mobile 0423 783071 email paula.swatman@unisa.edu.au
Media contact
-
Michèle Nardelli office (08) 8302 0966 mobile 0418 823 673
email michele.nardelli@unisa.edu.au