FAMI – What’s that?
FAMI is an abbreviation and means “Fachangestellte für Medien- und Informationsdienste” which can be translated as Specialist in Media and Information Services. The training course has existed since 1998. 1975-1998 there was a training course called “Assistenten an Bibliotheken” or Assistant in Libraries, which basically meant the same as FAMI. Additionally there is a similar training: Official Assistant or Secretary in Libraries.
What is a FAMI doing?
FAMIs are specialists in researching and preparation of media and information.
Tasks include acquisition, indexing, exchange and proof of information.
What school leaving certificate is required?
In order to become a FAMI a so-called Hauptschulabschluss is required which up to a certain degree corresponds to the CSE, the Certificate of Secondary Education.
How long does it take to become a FAMI?
The training course takes three years. With good achievements whilst the training in combination with a passed CSE it is possible to abridge the course down to 2 ½ years and in combination with a passed A-level down to two years.
Where does the training take place?
It is possible to start the training in public service as well as in private industry: in media and press archives, broadcast and television, municipal archives and public record offices, public and academic libraries, company libraries, information and documentation centres, science information centres and other providers of databases, photography agencies and services, museums, hospitals and other institutions of the public service, pharmaceutical companies, universities and research facilities.
How is the training organised?
The training is organised as a so-called “dual system”. That means vocational school and library, archive, or company share the joint task to qualify the trainees. One third of the training contains the specialization on one field.
What sorts of specialisation exist?
There are specialisations in the field of archive, library, information and documentation, medical documentation and photography agency.
