If the reason you became a librarian is because it’s quiet and you like to read books, it might be time to think about getting into a different profession.
“If the reason you became a librarian is because it’s quiet and you like to read books, it might be time to think about getting into a different profession.”—
Curtis Rogers, “Social Media In Libraries: Keys to Deeper Engagement”, Information Today, June 2011, Vol. 28, 6. (via morerobots)
Completely true. When I tell people I’m going to become a Librarian they’re often surprised because I’m an extrovert and I can be loud at times. They don’t understand that not all libraries are tombs of silence and that all the really good librarians are people persons. Library buildings are stocked with books, yes, but libraries are really made of the people in the them, both the patrons and the librarians. If you don’t like working with the public, you won’t like working in a library. Also don’t expect to sit around all day reading books, believe me, there’s precious little time for that, for a Librarian pleasure reading happens on your own time.
Here, here. The introverts in the library world these days tend to be catalogers (and they seem to be growing rarer) and Library tech folks.
The idea that a librarian reads all day is a little silly. Librarians are there to help people find information (regardless of its media) and that means dealing with PEOPLE! It also means you have to spend the time you’re not dealing with people learning more about the resources available, which means reading articles ABOUT books, reading book reviews and lists of new publications, comparing prices and talking (or chatting, texting, emailing, blogging, etc.) to/with people about the best resources for your patrons.
NYPL Wire–The New York Public Library: Advice on starting a career in libraries
nypl:
Today, a question from one of our Tumblr followers:
I’m a junior in undergrad studying history, and my ultimate goal is to be a librarian. Would you say a degree (MLS) or experience in libraries is more important in finding a job? I’m trying to decide if I should stay a full-time student or…
Not much to add. This covers it pretty darn well.
The world is my oyster with sword I will open: I really need some advice as my co-workers are all discouraging and...
I really need some advice as my co-workers are all discouraging and claiming that it would be unwise to pursue my doctorate. Here is my situation: I am graduating with my Master of Library Science at the end of the summer. I have worked in a library as an assistant for over a year and I will…
The real question is: What would the PhD get you? If you’re goal is to work generally as a librarian, you probably don’t need the PhD, what you need is the experience. If your goal is to work for an academic library you will eventually need another masters degree (in whatever specialization you choose), so again, the PhD is not really necessary and you should probably save your money for the second masters.
If, however, your goal is to become a full-time professor of Library Science and do MLS-based research, then PhD is the route you should go.
Either way, if you’re only 24, I’d say you should get some work experience. Quit with the schooling and get yourself into the real-world already! After a few years working you’ll be in a much better position to know what you want to do and what, if any, additional education you’ll need to get there.
Ricky Waller. I am an academic librarian at St. John’s University in NYC…..and yes; my alter ego is St. Nicholas… :-)
That’s where I got my MLS!! Odd that we never met. I was mostly on the satellite campus in Manhattan, though.
The pin they gave me at Grad School Orientation for my MLS :)
Damn. I wish my MLS program had been that cool.
