How can you try to condense a person’s life and experiences to some words and images on a page?
Well, I am going to try.
I love the feeling of helping a student learn in any way that I can. When I see that light bulb light after instruction and a student walks away with a smile, I couldn’t feel better.
But one of the things that I have come to realize is that students will always need information; the manner in which it is delivered might change but the information and enjoyment of the reading process will always be there.
With this generation who are weaned on Search Engines such as Google and non-authorative tools such as Wikipedia, we have our jobs cut out for us. I am determined to teach the students in a language that they can understand (I have a few tricks up my sleeve) why a database is better than a website. But most important of all is for for all of academia to understand the role that the librarians have in the education of students.
We need to make ourselves accessible and the students have to feel comfortable to come to us either personally(or electronically) when they need help with research, finding books on the shelves, how to use the Microsoft Office Suite, or how to use the copier or printer.
I feel that I have prepared my whole life for the opportunity to work with students, professors and colleagues to achieve this goal.
A word about copyright. All the articles and blogs on this website are for educational purposes only. I give credit to all authors/bloggers and do not attempt to pass these words off as my own and provide the URL to each posting. The images except where noted are open access.
6/15/2011 There is a dilemma that library science schools are facing. Fewer jobs, more competition and more new graduates. As someone who is currently seeking a position, I came across this article that resonated with me. Here it is–I welcome your comments.
WILL UNWOUND #467: “The Growing Divide Between Libraries and Graduate Library and Information Schools”
June 16, 2011
In the last few weeks the issue of graduate library school has come up over and over again in a variety of contexts:
- Context #1: Should graduate library schools make an effort to restrict their enrollment to the prevailing job market? Or put another way, before a student takes out a significant loan should the library school issue fair warning that a certain percentage of the enrollees (whatever that percentage is) will not get jobs because of the shrinking library labor market?
- Context #2: Are graduate library schools distancing themselves from the public library market by becoming too ivory towered in their approach to training future practitioners? Overwhelmingly public libraries are dealing with an increase in two major areas: children’s services and the provision of very basic computer services for adults. Do these areas of service require a battery of courses in something as theoretical as infometrics? In other words have graduate library schools become irrelevant to the real world of public or school library work?
- Context #3: Why have graduate library schools not forged closer ties with working libraries and focused their research on projects that can actually have practical value for libraries?
- Context #4: Because on-line education is now the dominant delivery approach for graduate library school is too much emphasis being placed on the library as an on-line data center accessed from the homes of patrons?
- Does graduate library school have any real value anymore other than as a place that issues union cards? This line of thought basically says that if you require a master’s degree for entry into the trade of librarianship it automatically becomes a profession that merits a higher pay scale. Any validity here?
In summary, what I am sensing from your comments over the past month is that there is a growing divide between theoreticians and practitioners. Personally, I think that this is a very serious problem because if we are to grow as a profession the graduate library schools need to function as our think tanks. Without them librarianship becomes just another job.
What say you? This is a touch one so Boris is pouring free shots of Jameson tonight.
From the “Centered Librarian” You always need to maintain your sense of humor:
I couldn’t agree more! When sharing knowledge and information, there is nothing more satisfying than seeing it positively affect others. The job of a librarian is an invaluable one.
This is why I love working with you, Nina – your positive attitude and enthusiasm are infectious. Thanks for putting into words the way I feel too. I look forward to working on many interesting projects together with you in the future.
Can’t wait to work on a research project with you!
It’s laborious to search out educated folks on this subject, however you sound like you realize what you’re speaking about! Thanks