My full-time job is as a para-professional, even though I graduated in May with my MLS. Since I work at an academic library, I get tuition assistance. Being that I am in no hurry to go into a job market that is unreliable, I’m going back to school and staying on as a librarian-in-a-non-librarian-role. Even though I work part-time as a Reference Librarian, I still do want to eventually get a full-time gig as a librarian. I think people shouldn’t stress about not being a librarian as soon as they graduate. Now is not the time to worry about your title. Besides, there are plenty of other places you can work as a librarian without being in a library, but you have to be creative.

It’s been noted before (I’m thinking Cynthia at Library Garden last winter/spring) that this is a field that assumes that its workers have an alternate source of funding, namely spouses, that allows them to accept lower wages, a lack of benefits, and part-time hours. That’s unsustainable, especially as libraries claim they want a diverse workforce with top notch skills. Job love doesn’t pay the rent, especially when you work weird shifts and can’t rely on a 2nd job..

But it goes beyond not being “lucrative” for most into an honest question of “why bother” when there’s a lack of jobs, particularly full-time jobs with benefits, followed by a never ending stream of new graduates. To me, it’s like playing slots at the casino–the house always wins.

It’s no secret that librarianship is far from being a lucrative career choice for most. If things continue to get worse, the only people who will be able to afford to be employed as professional librarians (or even in non-professional roles) will be a) the absolute best of the best, cream of the crop; or b) those for whom the compensation is not required for absolute personal sustainability. (I’ll just say it, since I never read it anywhere, and it’s not a total fabrication — the latter has not only existed for a while, but also keeps compensation lower, for better or for worse.) Personally, if I’m not employed, I’m homeless or dead. Seems to be closer to an exception than the rule. Therefore, for some of us to get by, we must have the attitude of “I’m better than you (and you, and you, too),” and have the game to back it up; or have another significant source of income to support a love of library service.

Competition will be more brutal than ever for the new professionals. I feel for those who are in this profession and have no margin for error when it comes to providing financial support for themselves. I feel even more for those who don’t/didn’t have a game plan upon professional certification, or shortly thereafter. Overall, though, it’s time for the library workers (not just the libraries) to make themselves more valuable, so that others might feel the same.