Comments on: So is there a librarian shortage or isn’t there? Part 2 http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/2005/01/21/so-is-there-a-librarian-shortage-or-isnt-there-part-2/ A librarian, writer and educator reflecting on the profession and the tools we use to serve our patrons Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:11:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.3 By: John http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/2005/01/21/so-is-there-a-librarian-shortage-or-isnt-there-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-183059 John Tue, 04 Dec 2007 03:55:00 +0000 /?p=133#comment-183059 It would serve graduates of accredited programs to aquire skills that mean something in the job market. I graduated this year from a program where only the only computer skills taught were Ovid and Dialog. What needs to happen is the ALA needs to ease up on recruitment, lobby for more funds, and update its accreditation to include IT training and certification in other computer related fields. Its a hole I am in, and a lot of other library students. Most entry level academic positions require at least 3-5 post graduation experience. With budgets being slashed entry level jobs are being cut out for more part time paraprofessional positions. Exactly how is a gradstudent supposed to walk into an interview with that kind of experience? I just applied and was interviewed at a public library job. I didn't get it. There were applicants ahead of me that had several years experience as a clerk and then went forward with the degree to get it. It also helps to know someone. Am I bitter? No. Just frustrated and angry at the ALA and its blindness. As each season passes another batch of librarians are let out into a market that does not exist. It would serve graduates of accredited programs to aquire skills that mean something in the job market. I graduated this year from a program where only the only computer skills taught were Ovid and Dialog.

What needs to happen is the ALA needs to ease up on recruitment, lobby for more funds, and update its accreditation to include IT training and certification in other computer related fields.

Its a hole I am in, and a lot of other library students. Most entry level academic positions require at least 3-5 post graduation experience. With budgets being slashed entry level jobs are being cut out for more part time paraprofessional positions. Exactly how is a gradstudent supposed to walk into an interview with that kind of experience?

I just applied and was interviewed at a public library job. I didn’t get it. There were applicants ahead of me that had several years experience as a clerk and then went forward with the degree to get it. It also helps to know someone.

Am I bitter? No. Just frustrated and angry at the ALA and its blindness. As each season passes another batch of librarians are let out into a market that does not exist.

]]> By: David Wyatt http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/2005/01/21/so-is-there-a-librarian-shortage-or-isnt-there-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-39721 David Wyatt Mon, 06 Mar 2006 05:30:47 +0000 /?p=133#comment-39721 I graduated from an information management post-graduate course in 2003 in Melbourne, Australia, and feel very disillusioned at the lack of entry-level positions for new librarians. The majority of the positions advertised in Australia are for staff who are expected to bring their own skills and knowledge into the organisation, with very little space provided for on-the-job learning. I've seen less than a handful of graduate positions advertised since graduation, and it seems to be a catch-22: either library managers want graduates with no experience so that they can be moulded into the skill-set a particular library demands, or they want graduates with five years experience in managing libraries. After almost 2 years of constant contract work, followed by 8 months in a semi-librarian position which involves processing and folding paper overdue notices, I'm strongly considering turning my back on librarianship and taking another course. The benefits certainly haven't been worth the effort. I graduated from an information management post-graduate course in 2003 in Melbourne, Australia, and feel very disillusioned at the lack of entry-level positions for new librarians. The majority of the positions advertised in Australia are for staff who are expected to bring their own skills and knowledge into the organisation, with very little space provided for on-the-job learning. I’ve seen less than a handful of graduate positions advertised since graduation, and it seems to be a catch-22: either library managers want graduates with no experience so that they can be moulded into the skill-set a particular library demands, or they want graduates with five years experience in managing libraries. After almost 2 years of constant contract work, followed by 8 months in a semi-librarian position which involves processing and folding paper overdue notices, I’m strongly considering turning my back on librarianship and taking another course. The benefits certainly haven’t been worth the effort.

]]> By: Michael Burton http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/2005/01/21/so-is-there-a-librarian-shortage-or-isnt-there-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-31545 Michael Burton Fri, 18 Nov 2005 22:51:46 +0000 /?p=133#comment-31545 Excellent post. It does seem like many traditionally trained librarians simply do not have the necessary skills to tackle today's informaiton requirements. Excellent post. It does seem like many traditionally trained librarians simply do not have the necessary skills to tackle today’s informaiton requirements.

]]> By: Pat Mahoney http://meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/2005/01/21/so-is-there-a-librarian-shortage-or-isnt-there-part-2/comment-page-1/#comment-19010 Pat Mahoney Tue, 02 Aug 2005 21:57:28 +0000 /?p=133#comment-19010 I agree with your article on the perceived and over-hyped notion of a library shortage. As technology advances the abilty of users to discover, access, and use information electronically without the aid of a librarian, more and more library systems are simply doing without MLS trained people. Coupled with declining budgets that force administrators to cut workers and or payroll, librarians are having a hard time getting decent jobs at all. Information emphasis is not on utilzing traditional library skills grounded on accessing print information sources. The emphasis lies on customer service and connecting people at a distance with their information needs using technology. Often, these skills are best served by those who do not posses library degrees, or any library training. If a shortage of librarians truly does exist then that shortage would take care of the low wages paid to members in our profession (supply and demand). I agree with your article on the perceived and over-hyped notion of a library shortage. As technology advances the abilty of users to discover, access, and use information electronically without the aid of a librarian, more and more library systems are simply doing without MLS trained people. Coupled with declining budgets that force administrators to cut workers and or payroll, librarians are having a hard time getting decent jobs at all. Information emphasis is not on utilzing traditional library skills grounded on accessing print information sources. The emphasis lies on customer service and connecting people at a distance with their information needs using technology. Often, these skills are best served by those who do not posses library degrees, or any library training. If a shortage of librarians truly does exist then that shortage would take care of the low wages paid to members in our profession (supply and demand).

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