Rethinking Information Work: A Career Guide for Librarians and Other Information Professionals

by G. Kim Dority

Today, information work offers you an unprecedented number of career options. Whether you are a student, taking your first steps in librarianship, a mid-careerist planning your next best professional move, or a seasoned information professional looking for new directions and growth; this practical guide can help you sort through the options. Leading you through a process of planning the information career of your choice, it shows you how to determine what type of work would be most fulfilling to you, explores what types of work are available to those with an LIS-based skill set, and helps you create an action plan for accomplishing your career goals and reaching your full professional potential. The author discusses the entire spectrum of information work, revealing a wealth of possibilities you may have never considered. These range from work within traditional, facilities-based librarianship, working in library-related but not necessarily library-based jobs, and working in non-library related positions that utilize the traditional skill sets of the LIS degree, such as research, information organization, training and development, business development, non-profit work, and so on. Designed as a text, this book can also be used as a self-directed guide. The author takes readers step-by-step through a fascinating process of career exploration and action. Taking into account the inevitable shifting priorities that occur throughout one's career, she emphasizes tools for lifelong career resiliency, rather than a rigid commitment to a single career goal. Thus, this is a book you will turn to again and again throughout your career. With numerous tables, worksheets, lists, and extensive bibliographies of recommended resources for further study, both print and on the web, you have everything you need to begin this exciting journey.

Genres: Nonfiction, Library Science, Reference, Librarianship, Books About Books

236 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2006

Reviews

[Mary-Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent guide! I would recommend it to anyone new to the profession, as well as to those considering a change in focus within the profession. Dority is honest and concise, using facts, stories, checklists and questions to help illustrate different career possibilities. The book covers traditional and non-traditional career paths and includes information on starting your own research business and being a consultant. A chapter on building your professional portfolio includes tips on understanding your skills, describing them, and making them transferable. Every chapter includes extensive resources, from books to websites to associations. Even if you already have a career, you may benefit from the chapter on "growing your career" where you can learn how to make an education map (i.e. actively plan what you want to learn and how), or the chapter about "thriving on change." Advice for information professionals who will be out/have been out of the workforce for a while is practical and realistic. This is the best book on careers as an LIS professional that I have come across.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great for anyone considering a career in Information Sciences or currently in the field looking to make a change. Each chapter ends with a comprehensive list of resources for further research and reading. This is a book that I will keep in my collection and most likely refer to regularly.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books should be a must-read for library school students, but it was a good refresher for someone a few years out of library school thinking about reinventing her career. While I picked up the book a few years ago because I thought it was all about working as a library outside of a library, it's actually a solid career guide for all librarians.

[Jessi Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read that allows someone who is interested in working in a library to get familiar with traditional and non-traditional roles.

I found it helpful and feel more confident in my decision to become a librarian and what speciality I want to choose.

[Chloe Noland · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book for developing ways to think outside the norm in terms of information service, devise job-hunting tactics based on prior skills and interests, and most importantly, how to make room for your own creativity on the job. Information work is so adaptable these days, the guide gives lots of tips on how to plan and manage a DIY career, where you make your own job duties, so to speak. I would definitely recommend this to people still working on their MLIS, because it has a lot of resources and tips that I could've used while in school!

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thinking of leaving the library field? Wondering what to do with your library experiences/education? Dority offers many options for those who want to apply their skill sets in new settings.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably should have read this at the beginning of my career instead of at the time I picked it up.

[Erica Tuggle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good tips and great perspective for students, those “stuck” in their career, or anyone who needs ideas to jumpstart their skills.

[Mike]

This was very depressing and made me despair once again for the future of my profession, and most of all made me wonder if I'm really qualified to be involved in LIS education.

(This also instantly reminded me of a really great essay by Barbara Ehrenreich in the NYT Book Review titled "Who Moved My Ability to Reason," which I think you can read at http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage... even if you're not a NYT subscriber (I am, so I can't say for sure whether I would have gotten to this if I weren't." It's in the August 14, 2005 edition, and of course I will send you a copy (Goodreads friends) if you can't access it.))

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of my textbooks for my degree I've started this fall, for a Masters in Library and Information Science. I like it so far, it makes you think about what are your preferences as far as working and describes the different fields you can go into within the field. It is enlightening for someone who is, like me confused about what exactly they want to concentrate on.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully-written and inspiring. It really helped me to think "outside of the box" and think of my career in different ways. I am still working as a traditional librarian, but Dority's book is helping me to make my position more innovative. I highly recommend it. I've read it twice now and noticed things I really didn't the first time.

[Ruby · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best chapters of this book provided universally sound guidance for career exploration and job searching, but I felt a little let down by the aspects that were specific to librarians and information professionals. It is not so much a rethinking as a repackaging and was far less creative about the paths open for those with an LIS background than I had hoped.

[Bron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gives a great outline to someone entering the field of Library and Information Systems, explaining what they may expect, with many descriptions of the pathways possible. The book goes into detail guiding us through how to design the ideal career for the future (but never forget things can never be fully planned and there is a need for flexibility).

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful look at how to stretch your career into new areas. It focuses on library careers and dips lightly into independent information professional careers.

[Rev. Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent resource for job seekers with MLS degrees who want information about using their degree in ways beyond a traditional library environment. Loads of resources and suggestions for laying out a job search...will be a helpful guide in the future.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was for school and a good primer for entry-level librarians (or those who are thinking about it).

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eased every fear and answered every question I'd had about getting my MLIS.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

an excellent look at the possibilities of non-traditional librarianship

[Alohatiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative with very long bibliographies about all the areas of library work. Good starting point. A pretty dense book.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Options!

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

full of information and sources both print and electronic