"Change Is One Thing, Progress Is Another:" The Future for Paraprofessional 
Staff

Presenters Rich Murray and Alice Poffinberger from Duke University Libraries discussed 
the future of paraprofessionals in terms of current issues and trends as well as 
approaches library administrators and individuals might consider using to address some 
of the paraprofessionals' concerns. 

Paraprofessionals comprise a large percentage of library workers and their numbers are 
growing. Currently, 58% of library staff are paraprofessionals while 42% are MLS 
librarians.  By 2010, those numbers are projected to be 61% support staff to 39% MLS 
librarians.

In 1996-97 major issues facing support staff were identified in an ALA conducted survey 
of 2,078 paraprofessionals. Those issues included: few opportunities for advancement; 
compensation not appropriate to level of education, experience, and job responsibilities, 
lack of access to continuing education and training opportunities, respect, job blurring 
and certification. Murray and Poffinberger discussed the differences between career 
ladders for paraprofessionals and librarians, factors affecting salaries, the questions and 
challenges concerning continuing education opportunities for support staff, the 
importance of mutual respect between the two groups, the fact that paraprofessionals 
are increasingly performing tasks that used to be done by MLS librarians and the current 
status of certification and accreditation programs. 

The presentation concluded by recommending the following methods to assist 
paraprofessionals: "give voice to the LSSIRT Issues Survey of 1997, find ways to 
address the shortage of library staff members, define the role of support staff members 
in ALA and define ALA's responsibility toward staff members and define ways to express 
mutual respect among all who staff America's libraries."

For more information go to: http://ils.unc.edu/~murrr/change.htm