Co-Chairs: Annette Cade and Joanne Kiley
Board Liaison: Robert Martin
The Placement & Recruitment Committee continued to utilize the job posting procedure which was updated three years ago. The procedure successfully serves members, employers, job seekers, and enables an efficient process for committee use. Employers fill out a simple web form on the CALL website. The committee member who receives the form via email then confirms the posting and uploads it on the website, usually within a day. The procedure also triggers an email to the listserv. When requested by an employer submitting a job opening, the committee member sends an announcement to nearby library schools (with the exception of the University of Illinois, which instituted new job posting requirements in 2014) to help connect CALL with library students and recent alumni from graduate library programs. Using this described procedure, the committee posted 31 jobs on the CALL website and listserv during the membership year.
The committee also collaborated with the Continuing Education Committee in providing suggestions of possible programs to present to members. One suggestion was to present a webinar on harnessing the power of LinkedIn. The Continuing Education Committee did present a program on this topic in January 2015.
The Board indicated that it would like the committee to involve itself more fully in outreach to recruit students into law librarianship. It was suggested that an “alternative school break” program could be initiated that would allow students to have a real life experience (“shadowing”) in various types of law libraries. Students could either be placed in one library or a number of different types and sizes of law libraries. The P&R Committee submitted an article to the CALL Bulletin seeking members who would volunteer to have the “shadowers” in their institutions. Unfortunately, there was a lack of response and consequently this initiative did not progress. It is suggested that the CALL Board encourage members that, as part of their professional responsibilities they try, as much as it is possible, to make themselves available to individuals who are considering entering the profession.
Submitted by Annette Cade and Joanne Kiley