The BIALL Blog

Once a year, CILIP hosts a Graduate Day providing help, support and advice to those who are considering a career in the library and information sector. As a part of this day, BIALL’s President Daniella King was joined by Tracey Dennis of the Inner Temple Library to be a part of a Speed Networking Panel. So what did this involve?

30 graduates were given the chance to question and interrogate Library professionals from a whole range of sectors – private, public, academic and freelancers. Many of the graduates were just about to embark on a Library and Information Course or were already working in the library sector but fancied a change of direction. They were given three minutes (a very loud hooter told everyone when time was up) to ask each professional about their sector to get an impression what opportunities may be on offer to them.

Several of the graduates hadn’t appreciated that law firms actually had librarians and thought law librarians only existed in academic institutions. A couple of others has law degrees but had decided not to become lawyers and felt that it was a good way to utilize their degree by becoming a law librarian. Many others didn’t really know what sector appealed to them but definitely seemed to feel that the law could offer them a great deal of variety and good career development.

It was a very enjoyable day and well worth attending – so hopefully after Daniella and Tracey’s efforts a few more people have now heard of BIALL and what we do. BIALL will definitely be attending again next year.