Catherine Seewald Documentalist E-mail

Trainees at the DRC work 6 months together with the ECML's two documentalists. They participate in daily activities linked to information and documentation.

Qualifications and skills required of trainees

• graduate or postgraduate studies preferably in the field of library and/ or information science;
• a very good knowledge of English or French which are the Council of Europe working languages, and, if possible, a basic knowledge of German;
• accuracy, flexibility;
• good organisation and communication skills;
• adequate drafting and computer skills;
• motivation, ability to work efficiently in a team.

The Information role
The DRC is responsible for supplying general/topic-related/activity-related information on the ECML and its activities and coordinates the use of the travelling exhibition showing the ECML project results of the second medium-term programme (2004-2007).

The Dissemination role
The DRC is responsible for the dissemination of all ECML documents - both information brochures and project reports and publications.

The Documentation role
The DRC maintains a selective library of:
- reference works built up around the subject areas of ECML projects;
- the complete collection of reports and publications resulting from the ECML projects as well as from the Council of Europe's work in the field of languages.
The great majority of ECML documents are available online and may be freely downloaded. Some 3 600 items are referenced in the online library catalogue.

The Editorial role
The DRC co-ordinates the edition of the newsletter "The European Language Gazette", which is published twice a year, and plays a role in editing the ECML publications. The overall editorial sequence involves contacts with authors, collection and collation of manuscripts, proofreading, arranging and checking translations, layout and contacts with printers.

Trainees may help with:
- answering postal, e-mail or telephone requests;
- assisting users in accessing relevant information /documents;
- organising the travelling exhibition of the ECML projects;
- preparing the necessary materials ordered for events (campaigns, conferences), by visitors to the ECML;
- indexing new resources;
- making the inventory of library resources;
- completing general tasks and assist the participants within the framework of programme events (workshops and meetings) and statutory meetings;
- collecting suggestions for new materials acquisitions (books, CDs);
- preparing customised documentation kits, documentation orders;
- drawing up selected bibliographies for teams and participants;
- promoting ECML resources during the activities (display of relevant documents etc.).

By the end of their stay, trainees will have gained:
- practical experience in information work with transferable skills that are valued in numerous professions, working experience in an international organisation, in a language resource centre, in dealing with an international audience of language experts;
- better understanding of the information and documentation policy of the ECML and the Council of Europe, and its challenges;
- knowledge in cataloguing according to the rules of the Council of Europe, in using Council of Europe information sources and tools (catalogues, thesaurus, etc.);
- an opportunity to develop their language skills by working in a multilingual environment and living in a German speaking country.