Working in the Virtual Stacks: The New Library & Information Science

by Laura Townsend Kane (Editor)

Thanks in part to technology, the boundaries of library positions are dissolving. It is no longer practical to discuss the profession in terms of traditional library types, and in today’s library, the relationship between librarians and technology is stronger than ever. In this informative volume, veteran author Kane interviews dozens of practicing librarians who are highly involved with technology as part of their day-to-day jobs. Revealing the full richness of the profession, Kane Profiles web-services librarians in all types of settings, from veterinary medicine and law to astronomy, market research, and cataloging Offers insights into career opportunities in the library world by challenging traditional notions of what a librarian does Shows examples of real-world librarianship in the fields of technology instruction, digital futures, virtual libraries, and even librarians as entrepreneursWritten in a warm and personal style, Working in the Virtual Stacks presents an exciting future for librarians, already upon us today!

Genres: Nonfiction, Library Science, Technology

167 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Ruby · Rating 2 out of 5]

Each chapter explores a different type of "new librarian" and provides a half dozen or so profiles of working professionals in the field. A few chapters were valuable, but others left me shrugging about what was really all that new in the roles they were describing. In several cases, it seemed like Kane deemed the addition of technology to traditional roles sufficient to label them "new librarians." I would argue that the need for librarians to keep up with technology is nothing new. In fact, they were among the first to use computers in the first place. That said, it is worth paging through to read any profiles that look interesting to you. There are definitely nuggets of inspiration to be found. Library heroes the Librarian in Black, Libraryman and The Ubiquitous Librarian are all featured.

[Paul Signorelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laura Townsend Kane's "Working in the Virtual Stacks: The New Library & Information Science," written primarily for those considering a career in libraries and those considering a mid-career change, is a wonderful resource for anyone interested in how libraries and library work are changing. Featuring interviews with more than 30 library insiders, "Working in the Virtual Stacks" introduces us to librarians as subject specialists; technology gurus and social networkers; teachers and community liaisons; entrepreneurs; and administrators in the five sections of her book. Even better for those of us involved with libraries as well as with training-teaching-learning within and outside of library land, we find numerous examples of library staff members as lifelong learners and facilitators of learning within the communities they serve. We can't go more than a few pages in this insiders' view without coming across references to library staff members' dedication to learning--their own as well as that of the library users they serve onsite and online. There are also numerous examples of library staff members promoting the use of online social media tools not only to complete the work they do but also to reach those in need of their services--just as many of us do in workplace learning and performance (staff training) endeavors outside of libraries. Most importantly of all, there is Kane herself confirming that "the days of sitting for hours at the reference desk, waiting for patrons to approach with questions, are long gone....librarians are expected to keep up with changing technologies" (p. 3)--just like the rest of us. And the best of them are there to help us through the transition in which we are still so deeply immersed in our careers as trainer-teacher-learners.

[Cynthia Varady · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had great descriptions of careers for information professionals, both traditional and non traditional. Each chapter was broken up by a description entailing schooling, experience necessary, traits for success, and professional organization for more information followed by several "spotlights" on actual professionals in the featured career field.

Folks with MLIS degrees don't just work in libraries anymore. Information professionals work in universities, for private firms, as constants, researchers, indexers, and much, much more.

If you are interested in Information Science as a profession or are already a professional and looking for a way to branch out, this is a great resource.

[Cathy Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Consists mainly of interviews with librarians in a variety of positions