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Information Careers

LS 501: Introduction to Library & Information Studies

Revised Summer 2006, 2010, 2011

C.2003, Deborah J. Grimes

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Working Conditions for Librarians Significant amount of time at desks & computer terminals (eyestrain,

headaches, CTS) Variety of library users need assistance requires and patience and good

“reference interview” skills Smaller libraries -- more breadth in daily tasks and responsibilities; larger

libraries -- more depth in daily tasks and responsibilities School librarians -- same weekday schedule and holidays as students Special librarians -- same schedule and holidays as business/industry

(but may work longer hours during peak periods) Public and academic librarians -- often work weekends, evenings,

holidays Some physical work necessary in most positions; some tedium and

details; much bureaucracy (at organization level) but autonomy (at individual level)

More than 20% librarians work part-time Rapid technological change at the present

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Degree Requirements for Librarians

Professional positions generally require Master’s degree in librarianship, library science, library studies, information studies, etc.

Minimum requirement for some positions may be Master’s in any field with 18 hours in library studies; school library positions vary and sometimes require teaching certification.

Special librarians and subject bibliographers often need additional graduate or professional degree -- or no library degree at all!

Ph.D. is often required for library educators, top administrative jobs in colleges, universities, or large library systems.

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Is the MLS a legitimate credential? Cottam points out that exceptions to the “rule” do not challenge the

MLS as a legitimate credential and that the few who wish to do library work without the credential do not threaten the profession.

But what is the public perception of the work and the job of a librarian? Do credentials help explain librarians’ roles to the public?

Other librarians consider it legitimate and a minimum qualification (and who hires & reviews applications?).

MLS considered to be minimum qualification for most academic libraries (see ACRL minimum competencies and statement on MLS)

MLS affects promotion and rank, particularly at academic institutions with faculty status for librarians

When considering jobs and positions: what really matters are the requirements of the library and/or institution with the job

P.S. Only one Librarian of Congress has had a library degree (L. Quincy Mumford, BS, Columbia University, 1929)

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Job Outlook for Librarians, Occupational Outlook Handbook , 2010-11 ed.

Employment is expected to grow as quickly as average rate in other jobs through 2018 (about 8%), but retirement of large numbers of librarians will lead to need for replacements. More than 3 in 5 librarians are aged 45 or older and will become

eligible for retirement in the next 10 years.

OTOH, systems librarians will be needed, along with librarians who can use technology to meet user needs.

There will be more competition for jobs in large metropolitan areas and less competition in rural areas.

59% jobs will be in public and private educational institutions; 27% will be with local governments

Currently 159,900 librarians at work

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“The Boomer Brain Drain: The Last of a Generation”

Published in Library Journal (May 1, 2000), pp. 38-43, by Evan St.Lifer (AVL)

SO WHAT?!

Why, then are recent grads still finding boomers holding onto their jobs?

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How to Locate Library Jobs UA SLIS Placement Materials Chronicle of Higher Education (Academe Today at

http://www.chronicle.com ALA online (plus placement center at conferences) Library Journal (print and online) ALLA -- http://allanet.org/www/employment.htm APLS -- http://www.apls.state.al.us/webpages/news/jobs.htm Libraryjobs -- http://www.libraryjobpostings.org/ Special libraries -- http://www.ibiblio.org/slanews/jobs/jobs.html Lib Jobs -- http://www.libjobs.com/ UIUC Library School site --

http://alexia.lis.uiuc.edu/gslis/resources/jobs.html Local newspapers, school boards, listservs, etc.

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Salaries for Librarians

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Number of Placements and Full-Time Salaries of 2009 US Graduates (by Region)

From ALA Annual Survey, pub.in Library Journal, October 1, 2010

Region No.Jobs Low High Average Median

Women Men Women Men Women Men ALL

NE 299 $15,600 $18,000 $104,000 $70,000 $42,101 $37,695 $42K

SE 250 $13,104 $15,000 $75,000 $72,500 $39,622 $38,068 $39K

MW 321 $12,000 $18,720 $82,000 $112,500 $38,965 $44,999 $38.2K

SW 121 $15,000 $25,000 $85,000 $88,000 $41,921 $46,980 $41K

West 154 $20,000 $30,500 $95,000 $98,000 $48,170 $56,251 $46K

Internat’l 24 $22,000 $32,000 $80,000 $61,400 $45,716 $47,133 $48K

Combined 1220 $12,000 $15,000 $104,100 $112,500 $41,514 $44,945 $40K

Why the differences?

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Alabama Graduates/Employed, 2008*

Graduates Employed

Women Men Total Women Men Total

UA 72 25 97 8 5 13

Total 4098 1061 5192 1343 320 1666

From ALA Annual Survey, pub.in Library Journal, October 2, 2010

*Probably due to number responding – So please respond when you get the survey!

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Salaries for Librarians Occupational Outlook Handbook , updated 12/09

(http://www.bls.govocc/print/ocos069.htm) OOH Earnings in 2008

Median earnings = $52,530 Middle 50% = $42,240 and $65,300 Lowest 10% < $33,190 Highest 10% > $81,130

Median annual earnings where most librarians are employed

Elementary/secondary schools = $54,050 Junior Colleges = $55,250 Colleges & universities = $55,180 Local government = $54,650 Other information services = $40,000

“In fact a few simple mathematical calculations reveal that if reference librarians were paid at market rates for all the roles they play, they would have salaries well over $200,000." Will Manley in The Truth About Reference Librarians, McFarland, 1996, p. 30.

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Salaries/Placements for Librarians Annual Salary Survey in Library Journal (October issue) Salaries increased fastest in MW and esp. SW, chiefly in academic

and vendor positions Average starting salary LIS grads in 2008 gained by 1.5% to

$42,215 But unemployment was reported 7.8% higher (with length of search

averaging 5 months) with grads down 7% Hiring freezes, mandated furloughs, budgets More placements outside libraries than previous years (41%)

Gender gap and glass ceiling increases, esp. minority women 22.8% in part-time positions 44.6% graduates returned to their current jobs Location matters -- higher average salaries in West ($50,343 or

16% higher); placements decreased in SE by 10% with 8.5% unemployment

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Advancement in the Field

Experience Additional education, degree, training Publications, presentations (especially academic

librarians) Special skills (especially computer skills), foreign

language abilities Willingness to relocate Networking

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Where else can your MLS take you? Information specialist for government officials or city management Associate Product Manager, eBay (Nancy Firchow) Librarian, Johnson Publishing Company, Chicago Librarian, Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Digital Librarian, Anti-Defamation League, NYC Librarian, The Freedom Forum, Washington, DC Project Manager, Zimmerman Associates, Washington, DC (digitizing

historical collection of US Mint) Library school professor (with doctorate) Tribal libraries and educational programs “Answer Lady,” Facts for Fiction (verifying info. for authors) Archivists, curators, museum technicians Information industry jobs (publishers, jobbers, systems vendors, etc.) Information brokers Information architect

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Let’s Revisit: Is Librarianship a Profession?

Characteristics of a profession (mostly from Goode) Autonomy -- individual choice in standards of

excellence; judged by peers not outsiders; accountability

Professional associations Higher incomes than other workers Prolonged specialized training Code of ethics Body of knowledge, ongoing research attached to

learning and philosophy in the field Service orientation (client’s needs more imp. Than

self-interest)

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Let’s Revisit: Is Librarianship a Profession?

Continued: Characteristics of a profession (mostly from Goode) Making sacrifices (pro bono work, risking life or other

things) Time and money is spent on recruiting superior

candidates and better training. Elite members know what to do (ethics, service,

lobbying, curricula, fund-raising, research, image). Public must believe and be aware that there is a

specialized body of knowledge. ‘Backstage’ activities more important than what the

public sees.

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Is Librarianship a Profession? Continued: Characteristics of a profession (mostly

from Goode) Rise to administrative levels later in careers Understanding of client’s needs rather than wants

(puts their good first); decisions are made by the professional and not by the client

Little competition -- distinct function? Hierarchy within the field (Robbins) Degree to which perceived as public good (i.e. high

social value)

Trade ProfessionContinuum

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What Do You Think?

CLASS EXERCISE:

Is the MLS DOA?