Poll
Do you work as a librarian for a living?
No
Yes
I am in library science school or training to become a librarian.
I am a retired librarian.
Poll added by: Patrick
Comments (showing 1-50 of 379) (379 new)
message 1:
by
Paul
(new)
Apr 25, 2011 05:17pm
Damn you 6 lucky people who voted yes!
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I'm hoping to be an archivist, but I'd be happy being an academic or cataloging librarian.I'm currently in my second semester of library school.
No offence for people who voted yes, but to be honest, it's like you're in LUV with big Mac, and you wouldn't mind being the one flippin the burgers with the spatula :P
Brian wrote: "Lucky??? trapped in a dying field?"It won't be a dying field. There's more to "library sciences" than sitting behind a desk all day. Part of it's helping people find what they need for research, and so long as there's school, there will be people needing help with research. Also, someone has to categorize books, even if they're audio or digital (and I don't mean sorting).
Selena wrote: "Brian wrote: "Lucky??? trapped in a dying field?"It won't be a dying field. There's more to "library sciences" than sitting behind a desk all day. Part of it's helping people find what they nee..."
I love when people argue with someone who actually is working in the field about it's viability. Yes, you need people to do those things, yet not as many as are currently in library schools or are now in the field! That's why so many of us who have been it for decades can't find full-time work, or work that actually pays a living wage.
Sorry should be "did". Worked at a library page for 4yrs. At the time we did more than just teach people how to use the computers that they didn't have at the time. We showed people where the books were, shelf read to put things in order, shelved, checked in and out, collected fines, helped with children's programs.... Ironically our job description covered the entire library unlike the adult staff.
For the last two years I have volunteered at my son's school library once a week. It's great energy to be around kids and books.
I always wanted to work in a library or a book shop - but I imagine you don't actually get to sit around reading all day.
Craig wrote: "I'm just happy it's not a poll regarding Jane Eyre"OH YES! :D
Oh, I'd like to be a librarian, too. Stupid smalltown I live in, the library is as big as my restroom.
Craig wrote: "I'm just happy it's not a poll regarding Jane Eyre"Yes! This was my exact thought when I saw the new poll.
I work in college libraries and I definitely don't consider it to be a dying field. Changing, yes - tremendous changes, and if you don't keep up, you will for sure be out of a job. But very exciting as well. Many of the college libraries in our system now have more ebooks in their collections than physical books. Many of our librarians now spend more time teaching and tutoring than cataloging books. It is a matter of adapting and learning new skills. And yes, I love being a librarian!
I volunteered for several years in an elementary school library. I really feel like I missed my calling :(
Mimi wrote: "Craig wrote: "I'm just happy it's not a poll regarding Jane Eyre"I know right??"
Craig wrote: "I'm just happy it's not a poll regarding Jane Eyre"
haa haa
I work as a school librarian. I'm not sure that counts. I agree with those who say there is a lot more to libraries than books. I looked into the Master's in Library Science and it's not even called Library Science here any more. It's Information Sciences.
I work at our local small-town library as a volunteer, which with budget cuts they desperately need. In my state last year the libraries had their funds cut by 30% and they are holding their breaths this year to see what will happen. How could this not be a dying field if funds continue to be cut? And we all know that many, if not most states in the US are scrambling to reduce spending including to schools, police and fire protection services.Research materials have begun to go digital with help yourself listings on-line. The wave of the future for many public libraries?
Not "retired" exactly, but worked in two libraries as an undergrad, and volunteered in my hometown growing up.
Craig wrote: "I'm just happy it's not a poll regarding Jane Eyre"HEY....oh, you mean that horrible movie. Yeah, those sucked.
Moira wrote: "Craig wrote: "I'm just happy it's not a poll regarding Jane Eyre"HEY....oh, you mean that horrible movie. Yeah, those sucked."
Which of Jane Eyre's many proctologists was your favorite:
1) Dr. Hiney
2) Dr. B. Tay
3) Dr. Bak Syed
Natasha wrote: "I'm hoping to be an archivist, but I'd be happy being an academic or cataloging librarian.I'm currently in my second semester of library school."
I'm in my second semester of the MLIS program at Wayne State University. Thinking about archives, academic, or public libraries. Don't think cataloging would be a good fit for me :)
Lynlee wrote: "Mimi wrote: "Craig wrote: "I'm just happy it's not a poll regarding Jane Eyre"I know right??"
Craig wrote: "I'm just happy it's not a poll regarding Jane Eyre"
haa haa"
me, too!
I volunteer at our local library. I am always impressed by how hard our librarians work to bring great services to the community. Definitely an underpaid profession, along with teachers.
Jeannette wrote: "I volunteer at our local library. I am always impressed by how hard our librarians work to bring great services to the community. Definitely an underpaid profession, along with teachers."i'm an assistant, too.
Academic Libraries are not under the same budget threats and challenges from conservative activists that public libraries are. I don't see academic libraries fading away, but that is still a specialized and smaller field than Public Libraries. In the course of my career I hae seen public libraries become the last bastion of social services in our cities in a lot ways. From dealing with the homeless, to domestic violence and abuse, to just trying to keep people with no access to the tools to find work or education connected with ever shrinking budgets, it has become a losing battle. What happens when are largest cities no longer support the great libraries that were founded in the 19th century? Not everyone has access to the internet, or has a PC to take to a Starbucks. Not everyone has an e-reader or even access to books. Along with the destruction of public schools, the destruction of public libraries will mark this as the down turn of literacy in America and will lead to an such a division between those who are "connected" and those who are not, that we become a permantly divided society.
Librarian, advocate for thyself! (Or rather, thy library.) And remember that the field has had its ups and downs from its inception. We just happen to be in a down cycle right now.
I wouldn't! All those books... and you can't take any of them home without monies... eep, eep. Unbearable.
I am a School Librarian and I have the best job in the world! I get to read YA books, help students find books that interest them and teach them researching skills!
I'd like to become one. I know a librarian who says it's boring, which I believe. But all the same. I think I'd just love being around the books. :)
Brian wrote: "Lucky??? trapped in a dying field?"What makes you think it's a dying field??? Libraries are welcoming 60% more people than they did 10 years ago. We've been told we were going away when the World Wide Web came along, and then when Google showed up. Instead, our circulation has gone up 25% and visits to the library have gone up 60%. e-books are just one more format to provide. I love my job - there's so much technology involved.
I have worked as a librarian in the past though, during my first university degree. I had a part-time job in the departmental library, and issued and returned books. Much fun!
Libraries are definitely changing and librarians are needed now more than ever! Check out this slideshow: http://slidesha.re/hZolf6
MLIS from Pratt Institute, 1981. Working in Silicon Valley for high-tech (mostly networking and software) firms for 30 years. Love my job which pays well and which is annoying only occasionally.
VIVA LA RESISTANCE! TECHNOLOGY WILL NEVER KILL THE SPIRIT OF THE LIBRARY!!!!!!... Srry, just felt the need to defend my third home. Fourth? I lost count.
Yes, I'm a librarian according to my daily tasks. As the environmental specialist at the library I could not be happier with my job. Oh, and I'm continuing my education with library school and courses in natural sciences. Regardless of the format, a good book will never die, and may a good story never go un-told.
