On the good ship Librarian

The face of librarianship is different these days from the stereotypic dowdy, bun-wearing shusher. We are just as likely to be wearing headsets, tattoos and eyebrow piercings (at least if your library has a more relaxed dress code than mine does).

Or feathers. Our library celebrated Mardi Gras in the spring. We all wore bright shirts, beads and feathered masks. I scared one adult patron, coming out of the stacks like that, but a child gazed up at me wonderingly, amazed. Isn't that how you'd rather kids think of librarians, though? As opposed to hornrims?

We think of ourselves differently, too, I am finding. We are a scared bunch these days, frightened that we won't find jobs, now or ever. We're scared that libraries won't keep their place in society. Or that they will, and we won't like it. We're scared that the generations who are clashing on our staffs won't ever get along. That the techno-terrified will hold all the rest of us up, or the techies will drag us all kicking and screaming into a future where we will be replaced by machines.

Let's not ditch all the past. Get rid of Marian the Librarian, but remember what else we do, too. Please.
We hold hands. We open eyes. We walk through doors with people through the information we provide. We boldly go where no one has gone before, through teaching people to read, showing them new possiblities, giving them options. One piece of information has the power to change someone's life, and we get to do it every day. Every day!

We do some of it through technology: virtual hand-holding and eye-opening. But my opinion? We do most of it through love. We love what we do, we love people, we love information, we love connection. Some love the very technology, too.

I'm not saying the problems aren't there; they are, just as frustrating and endless and grumpifying as people say. But that's not the whole picture. Librarians are some of the smartest, most creative people around, balanced between information and inspiration. And there are problems in every profession.

It's just that this one is worth it. It can't be the pay, right?

All you discouraged people in library school who are writing to me: come on. Keep going. Reassure yourselves: it's a practical profession, stimulating, fun. Most of us do this because we love it, despite all the griping. Walk down the dock and jump on the ship. Join us feather-wearers who are waiting for you.

And you discouraged librarians: remember why we do this. Put on your feathers and hold on to the rail.

It will be the ride of our lives.

Comments

[Mo]

Hey, FGL. Thanks for this post. I think that in the midst of "virtual libraries!!" and "downloadable audiobooks!!!" and "searchable OPACs!!!!" some folks do forget that there's a very human reason on both sides for libraries and librarians. I like people (especially people under 19) and I like helping them. I even like the wackos. You're right, it's definitely not the pay!

(BTW, the URL is my blog entry about my time at the ALA conference.)

[feelgoodlibrarian]

Excellent post, Mo. The enthusiasts are out there! And in here. Go us!

FGL

[T Scott]

You're a breath of fresh air (not just today, but this one was particularly good). I've been in the profession for nearly 25 years, and the scared librarians were in evidence when I was in library school, too, so don't let their discouragement rub off. I believe firmly that we live in the greatest age to be a librarian in at least 500 years. The explosion of information tools and resources makes our expertise more essential to society than ever, and gives us more opportunities to do what we love in more creative and effective ways than ever before. I'm the director of a large health sciences library at a major research university and yes, the challenges can be daunting and by the end of most days I am damned tired out. But I wake up (nearly) every morning not quite believing my good fortune at being a librarian in this day and age. You said it very well: "One piece of information has the power to change someone's life, and we get to do it every day. Every day!"

[Laura]

Yes! Yes! Yes! Being a librarian rocks--thanks for putting it so eloquently.

[Chad]

Amen! Thanks so much for writing this post. I'm graduating with my MLIS next month, and slowly realizing the picture isn't anywhere near as gloomy as I'd been led to believe.

[Marianne]

"Shake ya tail feather" ~ P. Diddy

:)

[Julian]

Excellent post. For me, it took leaving library school (not necessarily quitting, because I didn't leave the field entirely and I plan to make another run at it in a few years) for me to truly want to be in the profession. It took me going to library school in the first place to get me into the field. I'm actually happier now about being in libraries than I was when I was in library school, and certainly way happier than I would have been had I finished and become a librarian (on paper). I'm certainly not saying that everyone in library school who is a bit unhappy or discouraged should just leave; everyone has to make decisions that feel right.

(An aside. I've never been a library page, and I've never even worked at a circ desk. I have never worked in a public library, or even a small academic library. My first library job was almost two years ago. Maybe I've been a bit spoiled by working in libraries that are among the biggest and best of their kind. Maybe I need to get some experience with those areas of libraries in order to have a full appreciation of what it takes to keep libraries running.)

Librarians will always have a place. There's never a shortage of things that need to get done. They cannot be replaced by machines. The key, though, will be having an edge that the world cannot live without.

I believe that user education will become the main role for librarians. After all, the users come first, right?

[deb]

Well Said!

[Kris]

Thank you so much. I'm in the process of job hunting (just got my first nibble out of more than 100 applications), which is rapidly becoming soul-sucking. It's refreshing to hear some good news for a change that *isn't* telling me there is no job shortage.

[fish]

but where are the library schools? there's in fact very little knowledge in societies of the complete role a librarian plays, or how much qualification is involved. for instance, while i had some ambitions of being a librarian, i never imagined it to be any thing as complete as what you've written about. nor has it ever crossed my mind that there are specific qualifications involved.okay, enough with the ranting but... will you tell me what are some places that have library school/courses? is that the term? thanks!

[Fiona]

I have just got back into libraries after many, many years hanging around IT, and for the first time in years I get excited about going to work.

I'm sure this will wear off in a few months, but in the meantime I'm still telling people that "I'm back in the warm, enfolding arms of Mother Librarian". I'm aware that's not quite the imagery we want to project, but the sense of camaraderie and community, after so long in the twitchy, sharp edges of high tech, is almost overwhelming.

Best of all, the reason that IT could tempt me away from libraries in the first place - a chronic heel-dragging on technology's place in the library - has all but vanished, and I can finally use all the skills I've gleaned since getting my degree to the max.

(having a library manager who says "I want you to learn about blogs and RSS and use them for the library" doesn't harm at all, either :) :) ).

[Fiona]

I have just got back into libraries after many, many years hanging around IT, and for the first time in years I get excited about going to work.

I'm sure this will wear off in a few months, but in the meantime I'm still telling people that "I'm back in the warm, enfolding arms of Mother Librarian". I'm aware that's not quite the imagery we want to project, but the sense of camaraderie and community, after so long in the twitchy, sharp edges of high tech, is almost overwhelming.

Best of all, the reason that IT could tempt me away from libraries in the first place - a chronic heel-dragging on technology's place in the library - has all but vanished, and I can finally use all the skills I've gleaned since getting my degree to the max.

(having a library manager who says "I want you to learn about blogs and RSS and use them for the library" doesn't harm at all, either :) :) ).

[Fiona]

PS apologies for the double-post. Something crashed when I pressed "Post". Please forgive me!!

[Sarah Louise]

Thank you! Right now I'm in the midst of a pre-mid-life crisis, starting a blog, reading blogs, and reading Revolting Librarians. I find that I like being a librarian outside of the walls better (doing web research for non-work organizations I belong to or talking to people about programming). This is my first visit, but not my last.

[Annie]

This post has just affirmed my pursuit of librarianship. Thank you. :D

[Kathy]

I loved this post. I'm sitting here on a Saturday working the reference desk, feeling very bored and I ran across this. Suddenly my job feels interesting again. Thanks! :)

[Liberry]

Love it!

[Elspeth]

I love your posts. I'm not sure I feel heartened enough, yet, so I'll keep reading! When I worked a few years ago, I had my boss tell me a monkey could do my job (cataloging) and a boss (also a librarian) telling me I "expected" to get paid less because I was a librarian. Tell me the disrespect is lessened and I'll feel better!

[elizabeth]

Thank you! I am still in school but working in a library. I am probably one of the youngest employees not counting the clerks and sometimes feel out of place. I feel that I am too excited and too eager. I'm glad it's just the people I work with and not all librarians. I'm very excited about becoming a librarian and the opportunity it holds.

[CarynW]

I enjoyed the original post, as well as most of the comments. I graduated from library school in 1989, and ever since then, I've felt like I was in the right place at the right time. It was an odd time to be entering the field (as a professional - I'd been an assistant for almost 10 years) - we knew computers were going to have MAJOR influence on libraries, but we didn't really know how, other than things like automating circulation and searching databases (both of which were already being done at that time). Now that anyone can get more information in a second than I used to be able to find for them in hours, I feel like I'm even more necessary as a filter. They can't possibly use all that information - I'm here to help them just get what they need. And the fact of beng a real person when their other sources of information (and fun reading) are fraught with computer frustration can't be discounted. Thanks to everyone for posting!

[Nelson Hermogenes]

I love your post. I'm also a librarian and I really want to learn how to make blogs can you give me a site that can teach me to make blogs.. thanks

[Nazrie]

I'm also a Librarian, I'm controlling the Acquisition Unit, and one day from every week I wall working at Reference Desk. Librarian post is very interesting...when I was in Librarian School from part 1 until part 4 (2 years), I never imagene that I will be a Librarian. only After 2 years in Librarian School I realise that the subject has been teaching by my lecturer is mostly related with Librarian hahaha...., Until now after 6 years in this post I feel enjoy with my works....

[NAVEED AHMED]

i am a librarian and wana to search a job in field of librarian ship coz i wana to continue my studies in librarian ship. hope u will not discurege me thanks

[Tanya Travinsky]

I have a year to go til I get my B.A. Then library school perhaps.. although I'm wondering if it is a high stress job and if it pays too little. What are the benefits and pros of the jobs in librarian work?
Thanks,
Tanya