"im a librarian not a social worker" i often tell my coworker who gives me crap for not going above and beyond at our public library. i care but i have limits.
Reading this is really funny because as I have heard, libraries are hiring social workers. Librarians are there to aid others by helping them find resources for the questions/problems that they have. Same with social workers. There are differences of course but there is a lot of overlap as well. I want to get a MA for social work and Library Science so I can better understand how to help others and gain better skills at finding resources as well.
I appreciate that you stick to your guns. You (general ‘you’) can’t do your job to the best of your ability and satisfaction if you’re faced with the expectation to do above and beyond what’s in your wheelhouse. In fact, it can be more harmful to do so.
Libraries are community hubs now per the ALA. You will need to aim for an archive, special collection or academic library if you require quiet. Public school and public libraries are not quiet.
After 20 years of being a librarian, my most important pieces of advice to anyone getting in the field of information studies/science is twofold: (1) in the early years, do not stay at a job beyond the point where you have learned everything that you can and (2) learn as many computer skills (e.g., programming, data manipulation, and database design and implementation) as you can as this is the future of the field outside of managing people. It is also easy to get stuck in one area of librarianship, which closes the doors for other possibilities due to a lack of subject specific knowledge and skills. I wish that I had realized how large managing others and taking part in social programming would be when I started as I would have likely switched over to archival studies.
I think that first piece about not staying in a job beyond a certain point works in any field. Some people are OK doing the same thing but most people would like that pay raise or mental challenge. Find a way to expand your existing job or look for something new.
@@stephaniewilson7352 I agree that this can apply to many jobs, e.g., cooking, but I feel that it is particularly important for vocations where the expected skills and knowledge base keep changing over time as they do in librarianship. By switching jobs frequently while younger, I meant that one should focus on acquiring skills as it is easy to stay too long in a position where you are no longer learning the latest practices, particularly computer-focused skills or standards of practice (e.g., RDA based on the LRM model instead of FRBR). You also have to ensure that you are around others who are current and can mentor you. It is also possible to end up in a position where there is no opportunity for advancement at all as special libraries can be siloed from the rest of an organization.
Hello mam, how is the salary of a school librarian? Is it enough to pay bills? I am thinking about the career change from a teacher. How can I do that?
As a librarian with 20+ years of experience, several with hiring responsibilities... the "I love books" can often times get the resume/CV placed to the bottom of the stack
When I was the director of a public library I had a section for personal interests on applications. It stated, "Do not list reading." It was easier to train an aide that worked fast food than a recent English grad.
Everyone wants to do the fun stuff! Important to note though that at least in the US and Canada (aside from during the current COVID situation), one can still find a job IF one is willing to move cities or even states/provinces. Currently there are fewer jobs, but I've started to see more and more positions open up in the past couple weeks, so things are getting better... slowly but surely.
(Fellow librarian here) If you feel like the career calls you, do it. There will be a job for you, if you put yourself out there and DO IT. If you are interested in the field of librarianship, there WILL be a job for you. Librarians are retiring at a rapid rate through this pandemic.
I just wanted to add my 2 cents as someone very new to this field. It seems very daunting at first to get started, but once you get into it, you might find there's lots of opportunity if you're willing to think outside the box. For years I wanted to work in a public library, but my entryway into the profession ended up being a school position (as a library media technician) and I love it! Try getting your foot in the door somewhere and take advantage of professional development opportunities, and talk to people. Turn on your google alerts for library jobs in your area. You might be surprised at what pops up. I got an alert for a library tech job at the US court of appeals, I never would have considered that! Listen to some librarian podcasts (there are many!) to learn more about the industry. If you want to do it, you can do it!
I know I’m super late to this thread, but in the case that you’re still looking at it, please don’t fall into that trap that so many people do. There are millions, billions of people across the planet retired or children not withstanding, so you are not gonna find an industry that does not have a large population of people trying to get into it. You just have to find your niche establish yourself and go for it.
I've only been a librarian for a little more than five years, but this is what I would say: 1) If you work at a branch in an emerging or underserved neighbourhood, you will be shocked at the number of community needs that you will be responsible for despite not being qualified to provide them. For example, you will encounter hordes of people living with debilitating mental illnesses or other personal/societal barriers because those services are regularly defunded and they will have no one and nowhere else to turn to. They will speak to you as if you're their therapist and you will have to walk the fine line of empathizing with them and helping as best as you can while also making clear that you're not a social worker. One of the services we offer at [LOCATION REDACTED] is an income tax clinic for modest-income people. In effect, certified volunteers agree to electronically file taxes for people who meet the government's criteria for who qualifies as a low-income person. It serves a very real need for people who are lacking in resources including but not limited to financial literacy, and those same people need and expect staff to be able to answer questions related to their taxes despite librarians not being accountants. The same is true for questions related to legal or medical advice. It's in your best interest to make clear whenever these situations come up that you're not a doctor/lawyer/etc. 2) Despite having once been librarians themselves, managers are rarely democratic. You will have staff meeting after staff meeting where everyone airs their concerns about how the workplace and the service they provide can be improved to meet the community's needs. Again and again, the managers will simply do what they had already decided on but likely did not communicate prior to any of the meetings in question. To make it better, there is rarely any mechanism in place to hold managers accountable to their staff. It can be jarring when you learn how out of touch they are with the work that you do. (A personal example is when a manager saw someone check out 12 DVDs at once, a perfectly normal and unremarkable interaction because of the number of people in our community who cannot afford either cable or the internet, and was surprised that someone would check so many out at once). 3) The notion of library fines will make less and less sense to you the longer your career goes on. We are often taught from a young age that overdue fees are an acceptable, benign, and even good way of teaching social responsibility - that our actions incur consequences. In reality, all they do is highlight who can pay and who cannot. If you haven't already guessed, the people who cannot are disproportionately affected by fines. For example, most systems charge $1.00 for every day a DVD or videogame is late. Let's say the aforementioned customer was a week late in returning their items because of circumstances that are not their fault and which they have no control over. $1.00 a day for each of those 12 items over 7 days will accrue $84.00 in late fines, money the person in question probably does not have. Most systems will encourage staff to "use their judgement," in situations where fines can be forgiven, but many of your colleagues will be such sticklers for the rules even and especially if they get in the way of doing the decent and ethical thing. Encouragingly, there are very real movements and pilot projects working to abolish fines but, at the time of this writing, they're only just gaining traction. 4) Being a Bookworm is not a requirement. Reading advisory (RA) questions are not as common as you might expect. There are people who really want an "expert's" opinion on what they should read next or a recommendation based on what they previously liked, but there is less demand for that particular skill than being able to help someone who struggles with digital literacy to access their email or a senior not understanding how their smartphone works. It's also not unheard of for staff to be so busy and/or overwhelmed with all of their other projects that an RA query coming from out of nowhere can really stump them. I don't say this to discourage anyone from becoming a librarian, but to try and ensure that people who are thinking of pursuing librarianship as a career are making an informed decision about where to take their professional lives.
I think I have the opposite concern? I worry I'm not enough of a bookworm. I love the ambiance, but more because it's the last real Third Place there is. And I value it as a place for the working class (well, everybody too but specifically, for me, for the working class) to educate themselves and get access to all sorts of media.
Facts!!!!! 100% THIS especially the “other duties as required” that’s how they get you, and then morally you have to spend the hour helping a walk in apply for unemployment because then it’s on you.
Thankful I have had much better managers than you. All the managers I've had, in the 7 years I've been working in public libraries, all still participate in programming, outreach, and cover both circ/reference desks. Also SUPER thankful that most public libraries are doing away with their late fees because studies have shown that it hinders access and doing away with fines brings more people in and increases circulation.
I'm a teen/reference librarian at a small, private library. I don't have my MLIS. I have a BA in English. I was hired because I'm active in the online reading community, I have over a decade of working with kids and teens and performance/directing/improv/venue halls/event planning. I have such a random assortment of experience that they said it was perfect for a librarian. I help people with applications, faxing, directions, Google searches, even shopping, more than I do helping people find books. And also dealing with a lot of homeless, mentally and physically ill people with things they need. And a lot of elderly. I'm slowly building up the teen section again and bringing them back, but daily activities, especially during school hours, deal less with books and more just helping people find what they need.
Thank you for posting this. I am an adult and want to start working for a Library. I have 30 years of experience in informal education, customer service, computer skills, event planning, public programming and more.
I worked in the library in college. To this day, it is still the best job I have ever had. It was so quiet and people that come into the library are generally very nice. The librarians were the best people and were also there for me on a personal level. I have never had a more caring group of coworkers ❤
“Few people are served well by a librarian who comes to work because they like the ambiance.” As an aspiring librarian, I feel very called out by this-there is a reason the library was my favourite place to be at school. A space where it’s (generally) against the rules to be noisy? SIGN ME UP. But I also like books. And the satisfaction that comes with being a part of helping someone to Do Their Thing. And organising things genuinely makes my brain happy.
Libraries do have a really great feel to them. I thing hospitality is a huge part of why libraries have such a great atmosphere. I’ve been a librarian for a little over 5 years and it’s great that most customer interactions are way friendlier than most service oriented jobs. I also like the things to be organized, but just to warn you, things don’t stay organized so I welcome you to the repetitive struggle of keeping things organized. Whenever I hear someone tell their child to put something back where they found it I cringe internally.
While I wouldn’t go into an interview saying “I like the ambiance” one of the biggest motivators for me becoming a librarian was that I loved BEING in the library so much. That said, it wasn’t that I just liked to read or that it was quiet (although I like that too), but the sheer excitement of all there was to learn (plus the entertainment) that was available at the library just made me so happy to be there. I have to say, 16 years later, I still feel that way. It’s not that I walk into work every day thinking, “Oh boy! What books can I look at today?” But I still love the atmosphere, the accessibility of information AND the joy of trying to transfer a little bit of that enthusiasm to others is what makes me still love my job.
If you want to go into an interview saying "I like the ambiance", go for it. You're being authentic; your interviewers know. And you know, too. Remember... when you interview for a job, YOU are asking THEM if you want the job. You hold the power to decide.
I work for a large, urban public library... one of the largest systems in north america. There is noise, there is chaos, there can be violence. You need to be able to deal with conflict, de-escalate arguments, and serve people. Reading books is secondary to all of that. Perhaps you can find an old-fashioned library in a rural setting where things are different. Or an academic library. But in large cities, public libraries are temporary homeless shelters...and also hangouts for people with other barriers (mental illness, drug addiction). If you are not interested in acquiring some social worker skills, then do not work in a public library.
@@annk9027 I am interested in working in a public library. A close friend of mine does, and has shared stories of the times when they had to act more social worker than librarian, and how unequipped they felt for the task. They’ve given me a lot to think about re: my expectations going into librarianship, and just how far being of ‘service’ to the community really goes.
My mom has worked in libraries since the 80s and her advice is to work in a library in other capacities before pursuing an MLIS, an added bonus is that many universities, particularly public systems in the US at least, provide tuition assistance to full time employees where they will pay (usually one class a semester) for your degree, though it will take longer and you'll have to work full time while doing so. It is an option though and my mother got her MLIS for free in 3 years while working full time!
Two points; 1) Echoing another comment because I hope people take the advice; After getting hired, my boss told me that they get nervous when they hear an applicant cite “loving books.” It demonstrates not only a lack of understanding about what librarians do, but what libraries do most often in the community. 2) As stated in the video, librarian may not be your preferred job if you hate working with people. It is a customer service job, even if you never handle money or sales. If you get easily frustrated with people because they are confused about how to open an email, if you are deterred by rude patrons, and you prefer to do solitary work, it might be worth considering what you want. The difference is that you’re not just selling someone something. You are helping people access information. This is what makes me love being a librarian. People are so excited when you get them what they need and help them answer a question. You are the place where the community points people. Seeing people happy bc they get help is the best feeling.
Honestly I'm a high school student who has wanted to be a librarian since I was in middle school. Even back in middle school I'd help out a lot in my local library. I usually just helped putting books back, helped at their weekly children's corner or their poetry meet ups, and cleaning up at the end of the day, but I remember the other people who came weekly would get more and more loving towards me the longer I helped, to the point people asked my questions and tried to keep a conversation. At first I just really liked the idea of being around books and the soft environment, but the addition of the kind people I helped out with really pulled it all together and made me so much more trilled to continue. I'm just scared of the idea of failure, burnout, and stress. I'm not good in stressful environments and I already have a learning disability that I'm sure will push me back, so I really don't know if this is just a lost cause for me or I'm just psyching myself out. I really think its worth it, but I don't know if it's right for me.
I am a librarian at a university and I love it! It is more stressful than I thought it would be, but I think most jobs are. The stresses vary depending on the type of library, your role in the library, and the specific job. It’s important to realize it’s not all about peace and a grateful patronage. Most library jobs these days involve a good bit of technology skills and the better you are at technology, the better off you will be. I suggest you get a job in a library before you commit, preferably in the type of library where you would like to work, and talk to a number of librarians about what they do. Most college libraries employ student workers and I bet they’d love to have someone who aspires to be a librarian! I would do my best to avoid excessive debt for your education- which applies to most fields but librarianship isn’t likely to pay that debt off quickly. While I am pulled in more directions than I ever imagined, I thrive on having multiple challenges and am almost never bored. And while it’s not the main reason to be a librarian, yes, I still love walking into the library when it’s quiet and there are lots of glorious books on the shelves holding their wisdom and stories. :)
@Kyla Esqueda I’m sorry you had this experience. If you really want to be a librarian, keep trying. You might try talking to someone at the library about their job and get some advice. There’s no 100% guarantee.
You’ll make a great librarian one day. All careers have failure, burnout and stress. It’s best to choose the career you love and deal with the things that come with employment. That way the heavy things won’t be so unbearable because you’ll love your job at the end of the day. I am a librarian and I know that if anyone loves it for as long as you have, they’ll make great librarians. GOOD LUCK in the future and enjoy your youth, time in school, etc.
Personally, i like the idea of helping or educating the community without having to be an actual teacher (too rigid and i can't be dealling with kids for like, more than a few weeks at a time lol). But what scares me is having to hop from job to job frequently. Don't know if i could handle that :/ Thank you for the video and insight! Much to think about
When I went to college, I wanted to be a teacher. During college I changed my mind and broaden it to school Librarian. I graduated with a degree in elementary education and certified to be a school librarian. 1973 was my first year working in a small private K-8 school as the librarian in a different state than I was educated in. That required me to take courses in be licensed in that state, then I immediately started taking courses for my masters. Before finishing we moved to a new state. There I transferred as many hours as I could then finished my degree in 1983. Still working in a private school K-8 but with several hundred students. My specialty was children’s literature. Because I was in 3 different programs, I had to take the required courses of reference and cataloging 3 times. Actually they were very useful, since I was in private schools, there was me, myself and I to do everything; cataloging, filing, typing the catalog cards, purchasing, teaching, developing curriculum, technology. After 32 years I retired when a student gave me mono. Loved my job and you do have to love reading AND working with people. My students would ask “have you read ALL the books?”. My answer, How can I help you pick the right book if I haven’t read it? I gave 17-20 story hours a week, skills and research lesson to about 15 classes a week and booktalks to all before required book reports.
Don't hate me but I'm a high school student struggling to look for a degree, and I thought "Oh a librarian sounds fun because I love reading books and quiet environments, so I'll look into that". After watching this video that's NOT what I thought it would be at all, especially after your first point, when you talked about having to favor people > books. Idk if this profession is right for me yet, but you did a nice job explaining this video in small understandable pieces! Thanks again :)
Focus on becoming a Systems Librarian! Take as many technology classes as possible in library school. Also take advanced cataloging classes and metadata.
@@VL20190 scripting courses where you learn xml, json, python, and or SQL & also study metadata cataloging and make sure you understand the structure of a Marc record. Don’t let all of that intimidate you. Even just a slight knowledge of those things can be great when applying for a job and in librarianship you will learn most things on the job and we know that when hiring new librarians.
@@chamberv5261That's the thing. I've yet to find a good program that includes those tech courses. It seems like academia is lagging behind with incorporating tech competency in their curricula.
I am a Librarian but I am also an illustrator so I have been hard at work turning the job I have into the job I want. I went from the standard circ position to designing posters and social media, and getting to draw mythical creatures for a collectible card game which is in its 3rd year. I’m developing my portfolio so I can invent an ideal job for myself and convince an organization to hire me full time to do everything I do best, from wherever I am. A year ago this felt like an unrealistic goal, but now it seems doable.
I am a licensed librarian in the Philippines, one of the requirements aside from the having a bachelor degree is to take the board exam to called one. A lot of effort is spent to become a licensed librarian, and it was sort of fulfilling to go through those hard times and win them. Being a librarian changed my life, it opened my mind to a lot of things making me cling to the idea that we are not just mere workers but we are an epitome of change, the one that we want to see in the world.
I have an MLIS degree and I'm still looking for my first librarian job 4 years later. I am finally getting interviews after Covid since many older librarians are retiring. I am now trying to study and be prepared for interviews. I have a lot of customer service experience and I am a hard worker.
I am a teacher, though I never really intended to be one and am kind of feeling at my end with this job. Being a librarian sounds like there's a teacher aspect involved in all the different kinds of guidance, instruction, and activities you can run at libraries. That's not bad for me because it isn't the whole job. I also like data management, because digital hoarding became a coping mechanism for my depression, but managing all that data became a way to fight it. In another way, a library looks like a place to take care of, and I would really like my own garden to tend to, so to speak. I don't have a green thumb literally, but I think I could definitely be a good guide for people, and a good groundskeeper of managing the information the library provides.
I'm a teacher and your comments about vocational awe and boundaries feel very familiar. Obviously teaching and librarianship are not the same (for one, the job markets are hugely different) but there is so much pressure to dedicate an unreasonable amount of yourself to the profession. The standards for what a "good" or "dedicated" teacher should be doing are often deeply unsustainable and can push out folks who could bring so much to our schools. I'm starting my third year and it's always been very important to me to have boundaries and a life outside of my students. But the feeling that I am somehow a lesser teacher or don't care about my kids because of it is REAL. I know that that mindset is toxic, and as someone who has the privilege of both decent job security and a safety net to fall back on, I've found setting those boundaries hugely important. What that will look like as we start a new school year in the midst of COVID... remains to be seen.
I've left education because of this. I'm a female who's been in STEM higher ed for over 25 years, usually working 60-80 hours a week (going to the office all day Saturdays and Sundays too), mostly in smaller colleges. I loved not only the teaching, but the behind-the-scenes planning, organizing, helping other faculty, promoting students for scholarships or special programs or grad school or jobs, doing tutoring and outreach. I loved the connections with students, even being invited to weddings and baby showers, keeping in touch for decades, seeing their families grow and lives unfold beautifully. What I didn't love, though, was the lack of acknowledgement, and the dishonesty among peers and especially admin. I didn't like the pressure to cover up cheating rather than address it, giving cheaters advantages over honest people in terms of grades and scholarships and access to med school. I didn't like the threat of firing over grade quotas, and peers whispering to me that they fudged grades to keep their jobs. These things adulterate the beautiful world of teaching and learning. I am not generally combative at all, really too trusting sometimes, but I will stand my ground on ethical matters. I was often pushed out of jobs for standing up on ethical issues, though the official reasons given were that I didn't work hard enough! So, I'm seeking a career change. Librarianship, despite the saturation, seems like the happiest fit for me. Haven't started, researching still.
Thank you for this! I am considering doing an MLIS in 2022, but I wouldn't consider myself a big bookworm. I love to read but since entering the workforce I find myself reading a lot less than I used to. However, hearing you saying that librarianship is helping others source information set off a lightbulb.
@@itsfaylo congratulations! I'm a park interpreter and the best part of the job is helping people find answers to their questions. maybe I was meant to do this too
I'm in university in Germany studying LIS, I relate to a lot you said about the profession and the warped view a lot of people have on it, but the educational aspects and the job market are completely different here. First, you get a LIS degree as a bachelor's here (6 or 7 semesters, depends on the program), then you can also get a master's if you want, but there are not a lot of benefits to doing so. Money is not as big as a factor in the decision-making because there is no tuition. The job market is actually really good for us at the moment, our professors often tell us that we can basically choose which job we want after university because at the moment there is a big generational change in the field, a lot of librarians are retiring. Maybe this is our chance to change the profession in a more positive and modern direction.
Thank you for this video. I dropped out of studying architecture last year. It was my dream degree, a combination of people, math, and art. But I became disillusioned with the career, it suffers from a nasty case of vocational awe combined with the systemic barriers that makes it impossible for anybody in the lower classes to be successful in a creative career. I am on a gap year, reflecting on what I want to do with my life. Library sciences have come up for me. I feel so relieved. A career where I get to help my community directly, combined with systematic thinking, and flexibility of application, its more than I ever hoped for. I have had a passion for education and access to information my entire life, its amazing to find that there is a degree for what I consider to be my calling.
I love that you said that you said that loving books...basically was not why one becomes a librarian. I became an school librarian, not because I love books, (which I do), but more because I love how my elementary kids light up when I read something that connects with them. I hate how librarians are just treated as that old lady that beeps the books in and out.
I am almost finished with my degree, and I have already felt much of what you shared. My biggest issue with the theoretical knowledge of librarianship is this concept that school librarians are supposed to be superheroes who are able to juggle 100 balls at once (customer service, tech trends, curriculum expert, participation on all school committees, budget managers, storytellers, book reviewers, involved in community events, grant writers, etc.). There is literally no way that one person could possibly do everything that the academic world recommends. I have also recently been reminded that many school districts move their employees around which disrupts the process of developing collaborative relationships over the long term. I would prefer to devote myself to one school community where I can plant myself and nurture the stakeholders there. At this time, I am really not sure what I will do when I graduate. Thank you for your video and advice!
I love books, but I’m definitely a people person- I was going to school to be a play therapist and counseling but I have changed my mind and want to work for the public doing public service through the library. I’m great at research, family trees, as well as finding missing persons; so I’m thinking I could do something with that through being a librarian. So I’m taking my bachelors degree in Psychology onto get my MLS. 💜🥰
Apryl Dawn I am still confused about what a digital librarian does. Have you found any I formation on this yet? I start my MLIS next spring and I have to choose between public librarian, digital librarian, and archivist and record keeping. The only one I’m not sure of is digital, and there does not seem to be much information readily available online.
@@LostNFoundASMR Librarians like renaming their jobs. For example, catalogers have become metadata librarians. However, digital librarians are librarians who work with digitization of data or turning text documents, archives into digital collection so people do not have to travel to the library to retrieve information, but access it online.
Thanks for the point about other job titles. After almost 25 years in library world I changed jobs again (been a school librarian, public library director, etc.). The title: Data Management. What it is: Running a technology library. The world of special librarianship is HUGE. Sometimes you need to translate the vocabulary.
I'm not a librarian, but have worked as a Library and Archives Technician for over 20 years. Much of what you said resonated with me, especially perhaps being more suited to archival work. Two of my favorite, best and longest lasting jobs were working in archives. Most of the library jobs I had before and after them have been frustrating and unsatisfying. Even when I interviewed for other library jobs, it didn't feel like it was quite the right fit. Before your video, I never really thought there was much of a difference between library and archival work.
I would really like to pursue archival work. Do you have any advice for me? I’m currently in college pursuing my MLIS (still at the very beginning of it) but I can’t help but feel like the schooling is a waste of time but I’m a bit discouraged by job postings that all require the degree.
@@tivaa.7293 Archival jobs without a degree are not all that common. I got an Archival position at a music museum because I had cataloging and writing experience, plus music knowledge. Then I got a corporate archives job because of that previous experience. So I guess my advice would be look for archives that match up with your interests and experience and perhaps volunteer or intern. If you're unsure of getting an MLIS, you might consider an Associates Degree, which is what I have. The pay isn't as high, but the work may be more steady. These days, most of the librarians I know and work with have to have two or three part time jobs to survive, but Library Techs seem to be able to work full time at least. Good luck!
The first point actually made me realize I want to be a librarian even more. I have some stubborn social anxiety and am an introvert, but democratizing information is something I’ve always felt very strongly about and even currently do everything I can to make information accessible to people who are in close proximity to me. I got nervous when I went online and saw that “strong customer service skills,” were a must to be a librarian cause I immediately got flashbacks to my retail jobs, but I think enduring that for something I’m so passionate about will make it worth it. I’m happy I watched this video. :)
Thank you for this, esp #2. So many new librarians (myself included) burn out really quick or literally get sick from stress and overwork because they feel a calling to the career.
2020 really set up an abundance of fear into me. I got my MLIS back in June, couldnt get an entry level job anywhere and felt really hopeless about the field. I have a BA in Journalism and have gotten a 6 month contract with it. But I really need guidance as to where I should head with both these degrees. I cannot live with an 8 dollar minimum wage. Thank you so much for your video. As always, you never cease to amaze me with your kindness and honesty. I will take your wisdom and hopefully put it to good use. In the meantime, I would love to connect with other fellows on this platform. It seems like we are not alone at all.
I am nearing the final semester of my MLIS degree (SJSU - go Spartans!) - it is an entirely online program. I started my journey because I wanted to take control of the fact that I really don't like my job (Business Systems Analyst for a city crime lab) -- I am in a position where taking one class a semester is doable, both financially, and time wise. Interestingly, I am also nearing the time I can retire with a pension from the city, so my MLIS may do nothing other than allowing me to say "Hey I have a Master's degree". Now what does all this mean? the classes I have taken have been great, I feel like I have learned something about the world in general, and I have a greater sense of self worth. Don't get stuck in the fact that you can't (or just decide you don't want to) use your degree. Sometimes learning is a goal in and of itself.
@@cinnamonflan1412 I think I am just done with being in law enforcement - we see and know more about the crime in the world, and I think I would like to be a bit more oblivious. I have loved my job - but its time is past.
Wow that's great to know you can take one class per semester! As a single mom I can't afford to get in over my head with school costs, I will have to look into that option
I feel the same way! I have a bachelors in journalism with a video production background. 10 years later I am realizing that I don’t LOVE my background like I would LOVE to be a public librarian. I would love to give to my city the information and knowledge they are in search of when they come to the library but I also want to give them fun and create programs for children when they visit. 10 years after my bachelors and I’m deciding to go get a masters.
One of the great things about being a librarian is that so many of your non-librarian life experiences can apply. In your case, your background in law and criminal justice can be great assets in specialized librarian fields, or even apply in general reference as you never know what people are going to ask. Other aspects that might apply - crime statistics analysis could lead you to data services librarianship, awareness of intellectual property law --> librarians are increasingly needing to know about copyright and attribution, especially with open educational resources. Librarian skills apply in other fields that have to do with organizing, finding, and presenting information.
I’m nowhere near deciding what I want to do with my life, I’m still a freshman in high school. I’ve wanted to be a librarian for a long time. I like to read a lot, but I’ve also always wanted to be able to help people. To encourage them to seek out new information and to just be able to be a part of the community. Thank you for this video. I think this helped me realize that volunteering for the library could also be less stress and I could still be able to help others. If only my library was looking for volunteers right now lol. But nonetheless, thank you for this. The world is a complicated place but libraries will always be there. Librarians need to be appreciated more!
Your advice is spot on! As someone who runs a library, I can say, the love of people is most important as you say! It really helps you get the people connected to the right books they want. And it’s a thankless job sometimes. The books are not going to thank you, but seeing someone reading a book they really enjoy or helps them is very rewarding.
I'm not a professional librarian but I took care of two private libraries at my school in my undergrad. I love finding the right book for a student. I thought about getting my masters in library science. But I found I'm much happier as a nurse. I have my own private library though☺️ it is open to me and my friends
Hi Peter, I started watching your videos during the early stages of my MLS. I've since been lucky enough to get a library tech job in an outer suburban library in Melbourne Australia. It's full time so I'm planning on exiting next month with a graduate diploma which will allow me to work as a librarian. I'll go back to do the rest of my masters at a later time. When I started this degree, I did it because I want to help people and the pandemic has really helped me appreciate how much public libraries mean to the community. For me it was a choice between social work and librarianship and I see some of the work that we do as a kind of social work. Even though we are about to go in to a second lockdown, we'll be delivering food packages and calling people in the community who may need help. Hope you and your partner stay healthy and safe Peter xox
Ettarh's essay is one of one of the most important things I've read. It encouraged me to think a lot more critically about why I was pursuing library science. I still am, but I am less inclined to think of it as a calling than a career I'm interested in. Thanks for this video
even though you published this 4 years ago, this video was very helpful in actually *reinforcing* why i want to become a librarian. i have a master of public health, so i'm coming directly from the systems thinking, public service approach. i love books but honestly reading is like, my 3rd favorite hobby. i'm transitioning from public health research to librarianship precisely *because* i want to be more of a direct public servant to my community, and librarianship seems like a great way to do that. thanks for this video!
I was the same before running a library, reading was number 3 or 4. But once I had to run a library, reading became number 1 because I feel it is my duty to read through a all the subjects that the library has to offer, so that I can help give good recommendations. It’s a lot of reading and now I really enjoy it. I just take a book from different subjects, and skim through, read a little. Don’t need to read the entire book alway, but it is enough for me to start grasping that different subject and understand what the people who read it are thinking. It has advanced me so much in helping people find the books they need. There are so many clueless and ignorant librarians out there who are completely unhelpful to the patrons, and this is what I hope to change!
YES! Number 1 really speaks to me, because I am a teacher becoming a teacher-librarian. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than helping teachers by connecting them with the perfect resource and helping students by developing a love of reading.
I had never thought of librarianship when I graduated with an undergrad in Biology. It was thrust upon me when I was asked to establish a K-8 school library from the ground up. In the midst of sorting and cataloguing, I decided to take the Library Tech Program at a local college. It was very practical and hands on; perfectly suited for my day-to-day work. I've enjoyed the metadata aspect of my library studies and hope to focus on that when I apply for an MLIS. Thank you for sharing your experiences and refreshing perspective. Side note, I had respect for you before but the TNG reference put it over the top.
Great video Peter. As a librarian, I second most of what you say. Many misconceptions clarified, particularly 'ooh I would love to work in a library, you must have a lot of time to read...' We really need more librarians who are passionate about serving people.
Loved this video. It was very informative. Been thinking very seriously about getting an MLIS recently. I've always loved helping people and sharing knowledge. When I volunteered at my big city library I saw a lot of homeless people there. I didn't think much of it until a librarian told me that the library is one of the only places homeless people can go to stay warm in the winter, use a computer, learn, and feel safe for a little bit. This made me realize that a library is so much more than a place for books, but a place to help people. Was on a completely different life path until COVID hit. It made me rethink a lot about what I want to do and how I want to spend my time on this earth. Cause anything can happen at any time. So thank you for spending the time to make this video. It is much appreciated.
i found this video useful. I completed my MLS and I start my first full-time library job next tuesday, almost 6 years after earning my degree. I had 2 internships.
Thank you so much for posting this video. I found it after getting my PhD in another field, teaching for a year, and then taking a break to rethink my life. I can't say enough about how the problems you mentioned in the field of librarianship also afflict higher ed. I'm more than happy with my own PhD, but there are those who sacrificed so much more and got so much less for theirs.
I think there are precious few professions where actually reading books all day is part of the job. Even book sellers mostly spend their time processing books, not reading them.
I came back to this video as a refresher before I start my MLIS in September. This time I actually read the article-and it was well worth the read. Thanks, Peter! I’ll be bopping around the rest of your videos in preparation for my studies. I appreciate that you’ve taken the time to make them. All the best from Montreal!
I just recently discovered I would like to work in a library. Libraries have long been a backbone of the Internet and a pillar of freedom of information. I'm a computer scientist at heart and the good that libraries do for their communities is something I want to be a part of
I just got an entry level job at a library and this video is great! im really excited to be apart of my communities throughout my life. i do love books, and sharing information and making it available to people. I love people the most.
This video was exactly what I needed to watch. I love books and I like being in libraries, so I get pressurised a lot by my parent to be a librarian, then got mad whenever libraries rejected me. I am so relieved to hear this so thank you, I will choose a path that suits me more. Also librarians are the heroes, their customer service is great and their organization, support and kindness is invaluable. So many terrible days in my life were soothed thanks to the library
I was working in a school library while doing my master's degree with MLS's but now I'm looking for a library job myself and all I keep finding are leave replacements. I do love the books but I also love when the students find that one book that makes them fall in love with reading.
It's a hard thing, right? What I've heard from folks is that sometimes (not always) those leave replacements are the first step into permanent positions. At a library system near me, my understanding is that they just hire so many people for part time positions and maternity leaves that, when a permanent position comes up, it becomes an internal competition only because they have such a big pool of candidates. On the one hand, great that they're giving their current employees who are underemployed a shot at full time. On the other hand, I find it morally wrong (not just questionable, but actually wrong -- and I'll stand by that statement forevermore) that they rely on part time work so extensively. People shouldn't *have* to cobble together multiple part time jobs just to get by, and hiring external folks into those precarious underemployment roles is asking your workers to sacrifice their wellbeing for the employer's sake.
I landed here while mentally preparing for a PT job at my local library while I recover from career burnout as a copywriter. Always have enjoyed helping my local community, and the library is an underappreciated resource. With my career history, I'm open to the idea of transistioning into their marketing dept someday if the opportunity becomes available. Anyway, I didn't expect to cry from the refreshing encouragement regarding degrees. Part of my burnout came from feeling shame for not pursuing the same jobs as the rest of my family (mostly nurses and blue collars) even though I know those fields aren't good fits for me... It always felt like I had to be doing something extraordinary for it to be "worth it" in comparison. So, thank you for the uplifting content. Subscribed.
@incandescentlightbulb I hope you enjoy your new library job! I'm not a librarian but have worked as a Library Clerk for most of my adult life (I started as a Page). I last worked in a library in 2016 but have just landed another library job this past month and will be starting soon (I've done fingerprinting and pre-employment physical - next step is to fill out paperwork). I'm excited, yet still nervous about starting a new job and having to re-learn everything from how to work the telephone transfers and everything else 😂. I would love to know how things go for you.
Just subscribed, my mother was a librarian for 30 years, and i wish i would have followed her into the profession. Still dream of doing it when it's an available option.
I was nodding my head and passively taking in your points, and then suddenly, at the end of the video, I teared up. Realizing self worth and then decidedly making your choices around that is huge. I suspect you just unknowingly applied some part of your education. I came for info on academia and left with so much more.
Thanks for this video. I work in museums, but the information on your channel always feels very relevant. Especially since I sometimes think I'd like to work in a library at some point. I'm actually going to be looking for a new job in the near future and I may apply to a library or two in addition to museums, just to try my luck. But I'm worried that I won't be able to get a job in either field because I actually don't have a degree. I have 5 years of experience in museum work, but in this climate I'm scared it still won't be enough.
I’ve recently developed an interest in becoming a librarian or work in a library. Haha yes I do love books! But I do enjoy working and talking with people. I think it would be deeply satisfying to connect people with books they need and connect people to great stories. Unfortunately I am not in college or anything. I work full time and provide for myself. I’ve thought about school once before, I just don’t want to waste my time and money if I can’t find librarian jobs. Could I possibly just go straight to a library and see if they have intern programs or any extra side work for people? I’m sure it depends on the state and city, but I was just curious if school or university or mandatory.
You can find non-librarian jobs at libraries that don't require degrees! And as you say, it varies from place to place. Just keep in mind that the jobs you're eligible for without a degree or experience will be quite limited in scope, and likely in pay.
I love your channel! I see all kinds of experiences with people who have gotten their MLIS. 3 people have 3 part time jobs at different libraries. Another person told me it took 10 years to get any kind of library work with her degree and the work she is doing now doesn’t require a degree she’s a technician like me. One co-worker got a full-time Youth Services job right after she got her degree. Whenever I ask them about their experiences getting an MLIS, the ones with the “Awe for Librarianship,” get resented at me for even questioning the degree and tell me that unless I am fully dedicated it’s not for me. I also question the safety of library employees as I feel there aren’t enough safety measures in place for patrons that continually cross boundaries. They also tell me that librarianship might not be for me but I still hold that it’s basic working conditions rights. Librarianship is just a job and you need to respect yourself! I am a library technician that can do librarian work as a temporary substitute, so I am getting the experience but I also see that it favors some personality types more than others and all this uncertainty makes it more prone towards people with more privileges that these things don’t matter to them. I still love library patrons and despite all my fears I can say that I enjoy working with people more than the some librarians around me. I was the one to point to my librarian boss how I see “diversity” in the lower level jobs but all the supervisors are white. She brought it up in a supervisors meeting after. I don’t know anything for sure yet, I still have hope that maybe I’ll get to be a librarian as I nervously enroll into one or two classes. 😔 Librarians were my heroes as a kid and I as a Latina see the relief in people’s faces when they can talk to me in Spanish. There are only two other people who speak Spanish in the whole entire system so I make myself fully available for my Spanish speaking patrons. So I see how I can make contributions but like you said the MLIS might not love me back.
Thank you so much for the Picard reference. I highly agree in many of your views on what to do to achieve your dreams. Becoming a librarian holds a lot more options to something OTHER than work in the ambience of books. However I strive to include literary genres into all my work as a librarian: when we make an event, when we have new partners, when we create new spaces within the library. But it is easy to burn out. And I am reaching that point at the moment. That won't stop me from trying to achieve my goal: to work with literature and people. And this is key, working as a librarian is more often working with people and their interest in specific topics, than working with your own interest in specific topics. Another however, this is why and this is IMPORTANT, when you have to come up with an idea or you are already part of something your library team creates, you hold the power to include some of the literature you desire to give to the people who come and go to the library. Let me give an example: I have always adored this obscure poetic compilations of perverted, but very poetic poems made by what would become a Danish national social critic and writer. He made this collection of poems and published it in the 1920s using words as: catpiss, whore, etc. It was controversial then and turns out: it still is 100 years later. When we had a theme called "Østerbro Dares" I included using the poem. How you might ask? Well, we decided to make an exhibition of banned books, and also retrieve books that were banned to make a section of library devoted to the exhibition. THEN I made a poster with one of the old poems from the 1920s about a hooker who has an abortion. It sounds gross and bizarre, but the poems are very beautifully done. So I made a poster with one of the poems, but before that I had ask those who hold the rights to the texts i.e. in this case an obscure publishing company called ÆTHER, if I could use one poem in one library only then; and I got a YES, with the promise to sent pictures from the exhibition (and yes I did sent that email, and took some photos, because keeping promises with partners or other is important). Alright, back to the story, then when I had gotten the yes to use the poem on a poster. We curated six different banned books, made posters with appetizers on the books and then printed out A4 pages with curated texts by us about the books. There are many ways to include your interests in literature either it being aparte poems or popular culture books - the ideation is formed by your ability to use it to serve the higher purpose of enlightening someone who might not have known about this otherwise, also known as the principle of serendipity. One day an old woman came into the library on my shift, I helped her, I listened we talked. Because I did that I noticed something in her interests, culture, so I took her to the section of the library where we had the exhibiton on banned books. She immediatly started smiling and I told her I had curated the old obscure poem, told her about it's controversy in what a poem is and what art is and why we publish and to my big surprise, she told me that the author of my favorite obscure poems that I had curated, asked for permission by the owners today to use, spent time writing about the controversy and court trial during it's time of publishing, my favorite weird collection of words.. well, the old woman told me that the author used to be her teacher. This would not have been known to me if my interests had not been part of what we create within the library space. And I have numerous of examples of how using literature within your job, whatever and however you might be affiliated with the library, is a big part of what will shine through to the user. I hope this very long story made you want to become a librarian even though we are not always working surrounded by books, for instance I have only two shifts during the week where I am actually available for users, but I do spent a lot of time working from remote spaces, because I find them (be it a café, at home, walking, going to other libraries, museums wherever I go) .. I find them inspiring in accordance of what might be possible for me to do as a librarian for the people who use our libraries. I do not work with literature every day, much time goes to help people where a techincal system has failed them, but everytime I talk to someone, I get to know a little more about the community I work in - and then can I start combining their thoughts on libraries today with my interests and qualifications and within the office policies and bureaucracy that I am a part of and have to take in to notion, only then can I combine you as a library goer with me - a person who loves literature. Do not stop dreaming of becoming a librarian because of your interest in books, but learn how to use it in accordance with your workplace and in accordance to how that might benefit someone else and in what way. - Sincerely a danish librarian. Cæcilie Brix PS. I do have an instagram account if someone who reads this finds my weird approaches interesting. :) @brixandthebooks
Ps. One disclaimer I got : the words I use from to describe the poem is words used within the poem, and are not my opinion on how to talk about sexworkers or other career paths.
So, my issue with the MLIS and the ALA is that the ALA uses the requirement for an MLIS as a way to reproduce their ideological standpoint, which, I’m sorry, is conservative and tends towards gatekeeping. I don’t understand the value that the ALA brings to the table, especially since they are siding against library workers in this COVID climate.
Thank you so much for your video, your words are very valuable to me! I've been studying Library Science for three years and have learned many of these things you said. Although I haven't graduated yet, a few months ago I had the opportunity to start working in a library and let me tell you that facing the experience of being a librarian is wonderful, it makes you realize how much you love your career and that every step is important for your learning and knowledge. Greetings from Colombia! 😊
Saludos de Canada! :D It really is a big challenge, because the work truly is so gratifying which can make someone feel, "oh well sure there are these dark sides to the profession but they are outweighed by these nice things!" And of course it comes down to the individual to make that choice for themselves. Heck, I'm not even sure where I'm at professionally and I've been working in libraries for a couple of years now. In any case, glad to have you along ^_^
Thank you so much! I liked how you clarified librarians care about people more than books and the historical self-sacrifice that I sensed in libraries but always seemed muddy to me. Thanks again!
Honestly i love books too. But i love them, because of what they give to people. Books give people information, education, and even access to resources they never knew existed. They help build community. And at a library, the most important job you have is working with the community, and doing what you can to help your patrons. I grew up at the library, because it was our third space. So much information, and so many community based activities to allow the disenfranchised people a chance to educate themselves and build strong relationships with others close by they may not have met before Not just that, but they organized events for our little town as well. Librarians are amazing, and do so much for the areas they're placed in. And a lot of the time, those things may not involve books at all.
Hello Stacks & Facts! Thanks for an informative and great video. I just started my libarian education yesterday and feel really great about it. Greetings frome Sweden.
I really liked this video and the points that it touched on. I have been a professional librarian for 18 years now.I was lucky and got full time librarian job almost as soon as I graduated. One of the most frustrating aspects was that the pay was so low that for the first five years I almost always had a second job so I could pay my loans back and pay my rent. Sometimes supervisors would say things to the staff about how the professional staff had to handle the customer problems because they were making more money. It was annoying because if I subtracted the amount I was paying in student loans I was making about the same or less than the library assistants. I feel like I found my monjo or path in libraries by stepping back and having my children and working part time instead of fulltime. It allowed me to figure out what aspects I was truly interested in. I love creating programs and creative learning projects for the customers. Next year when my children are in school fulltime I would like to work on libraries part-time and blog or work in web design part time.
To be honest, I'd love to work at an alternative type of library. One that serves an alt community and doesn't push to serve everyone but rather provide space for alternative ideas and practices. I wonder what that would look like. I'd think more libraries for street arts, video games, etc. Basically anything labeled street, minority or other... If not... maybe I'd have to build something myself after some time in the field.
This is my major barrier, the cost as you mentioned, I have a technical associates degree that has me working in health, I'm receiving a bachelors in generalized management. What's my point in sharing this? I worked part time in two public libraries and my university's medical library for many years and loved it. I like working with people and I liked the education side of thing plus how the librarians and staff had to adjust to the new needs of a technologically advancing society. An example was adding a 3D printer as one of our offered services plus a class on how to use them. We even started offering English classes to primarily Spanish speakers as well. I know as a librarian my salary would probably stay around the same or possibly increase a tad if I'm going to believe all those website statistics. However, I just imagine myself taking out loans for that masters degree. Ive been lucky to get scholarships and federal aid so I'll be getting my bachelors with no debt as I did with my associates but I can't imagine finishing my masters with out any debt at all. I'd want to not regret my choice because of the cost of schooling as the primary reasoning for that regret.
I find myself back on this video and to my surprise found a LIS job title I didn't expect being an intelligence analyst....though now thinking it clearly it makes sense after all most library science degrees aren't just library but also tack on information science in there
I am an interpretive park ranger considering a librarian career. The absolute best part of my job is gathering information about our park and sharing it with people eager to learn and experience the natural world. I love finding answers to questions, I love the research that goes into creating programs, and I love the depth of knowledge each park holds. (And parks have libraries!) I definitely do it for the connections with the public. Do you think I'd be a good fit for an MLIS degree?
I think so. You enjoy engaging people for their sake and the benefit of their community and have experience with information literacy and programming for niche audiences.
where I live, the academic librarianship is occupied mostly by men. the public schools have majority of women working as librarians, but the university positions are filled by mainly men. I'm trying to get into a university library, but it's very difficult.
I'm really glad I got a paraprofessional work at an academic library with benefits and healthcare before I went into libraries - now I'm hoping to work my way up at the same institution!
My city heavily relies on college students for their positions, so it’s really hard to move up to a full time. I actually got my degree in communications. I am very passionate about production, but with COVID applying to a full time library job at one of the biggest library systems feels secure and is pretty school with all of their services. The only downside is the pay. I went to college to only barely get paid the living wage. I’m thinking of getting my MLIS to give me the opportunity to apply to programming jobs within the library for better pay. I don’t know if I want to fully give my life to the libraries when my passion is in production. Maybe the library might be temporary for me? Also, I’ve worked at a library since I was 19 and I’ve learned that the library is all about the community. I love being able to talk to teens and help people, but people take advantage of that and want you to do everything for them when you’re not qualified.
I'm in high school and am still looking at colleges and career paths, I love research and I love helping people, I love every aspect of libraries from providing technology access to underprivileged peoples to helping college kids do research papers to being a spot for a kid to just sit and read. I really think that looking into librarianship could be a good fit for me but there aren't really any offerings for MLIS programs in my area let alone at the schools that excite me for non library reasons. So I'm kind of at a impasse, but I have all kinds of options for my future so who knows. We will see.
What an ALA accredited MLS enabled me to do as a tenure track faculty librarian at a podunk liberal arts college. 1) put paper in the printer; 2) hand out staplers, highlighters, and tape at the “desk”; 3) remove paper jams from said printer noted in item #1; 4) publish peer reviewed articles, make multiple presentations at local and annual library conferences, work assigned nights and weekends, plus a plethora of other tasks...and receive absolutely no salary/merit increase over the two and a half years I worked for that crappy school; 5) dealt w/ rude, entitled students and area residents who barked orders and treated me like crap. Anyone considering getting your MLS/MLIS...think long and hard about it and talk to LOTS of librarians who have been in the trenches to really get an inside glimpse into what your future can hold. I ditched the profession after 3 years and went back into my non-faculty academic profession making just shy of six figures b/c being Marian the Librarian was making me brain dead and bankrupt.
Something worth considering - as a non-librarian but a library-worker of many years now - is the precarious position libraries are in now in terms of serving as this pseud-social services site, or being asked to be this, and the impacts of that. I.e. serving as a safe space for folks experiencing homelessness, and how that and the needs therein clashes with the more affluent members of the community. We absolutely exist for the people, not the collection, however, with that there comes a LOT more issues than simply a "customer focused mindset." Intellectual freedom is a fun thing to try to discuss with someone who thinks we should be calling the police on someone watching porn - and then calls the police on us when we refuse to do so because it's technically something we protect. The current political climate can make programming for LGBT+ teens EXCRUCIATINGLY difficult and borderline dangerous (see King County Library System's Drag Queen Storytime debacle and how that was handled by leadership). Which then ties neatly into issues of...what libraries are supposed to be, and what they're being turned into, in many cases, in a late-stage capitalist world. Just some thoughts I'd love to hear your opinion on!
Is it just me or are librarians/library workers much more class conscious than typical office professionals? Like I was worried at first that they might find out I'm a commie pinko and no one has like, challenged me or threatened me with a lecture about how communism killed 69 gorrilion people
really appreciate this and your work Peter - wish I wasn't sad/upset/not myself when I came into the program in 2018, but even so I got a lot out of it! And no, you don't have to be a librarian!
hi, I love the channel and I'm really in love with the idea of becoming a librarian! i've volunteered as a page at both my local library (a little slower, much more suburban) and the downtown branch for a few years now so I think I have a good understanding of most of the front-end tasks (I've done shelving, requests, book withdrawals, displays, programs, inventory, new items, all those lovely things), and I've seen my supervisors handle patron questions and a few of my own, which I adore! But I've always wondered, and I'm not sure how to ask them, what is a librarian doing when they're typing and scrolling away at a computer? It seems like a good chunk of their job, and while I love all I've seen, I feel like there's still so much I don't know about what I'd be getting into. I've kind of guessed it's cataloging? And what exactly is cataloging anyway? thank you, have a nice day :)
This is a great question! For what it's worth, I give you my explicit permission to ask your librarians, "what do you do on a daily basis? I'm thinking of becoming a librarian because I love working here but I don't know what that means exactly." You can also get a feel for the variety of jobs and duties on this video: ua-cam.com/video/yv425sNrjO0/v-deo.html -- around the 3:30 mark a table shows up on screen showing some of the duties that librarians do behind the scenes. You can also get a feel for what librarians do by scoping out various library job boards: look up "ALA joblist" and "bc partnerhsip job site", poke around some of the postings that are interesting to you, and read through the description of duties.
Thank you for this video. I’ve been considering getting my MLIS (I got my BA in Illustration/graphic design 2 years ago but can’t get into the field), but wasn’t sure about what career I might want to go for with it. Good to know that being a librarian is mostly about people. I’m an independent worker by nature, so having my job being mostly about serving others sounds... Not ideal 🙃
I love the books but I"m thinking more helping people find stuff in those books-so maybe Researching or Archivist. We shall see as the time goes on. Hm, thank you for your food for thought.
I am entering the final semester of my MLIS degree and I have found myself leaning towards the Information Policy and Management. My specialization is in digital curation which I feel adds a level of understanding of digital information and digital data lifecycles
Thank you for this vid! I’m actually going back to school (second undergrad for history, my first is in english lit but mental health struggles and not seeking help led to a low gpa) this fall. I’ve been wanting to pursue an MLIS for awhile and am finally figuring out where I might best fit: I’d ultimately like to work in archives and help change the system to better support access to information (especially to marginalized and underprivileged groups) and also help shift the colonialist nature of museums and the like. A wide goal I know lol but hey, shoot for the moon and I’ll land among the stars at least?
Haley please start out with some courses in Library Technology at a local community college or online, please. I am advising this because the MLS is a tough ride. I love the young people who are in the field now because you guys are smart and friendly in comparison to some older professionals who are now retired. Archives is a good choice and also working with people at the front desk checking out books or Reference. Hope that this helps a lot. Stay in touch with your docs and counselors/friends and family. I am a retired educator and I care.
Even as a bookseller, you don't work with books; it's all about customer service
Really?
"im a librarian not a social worker" i often tell my coworker who gives me crap for not going above and beyond at our public library. i care but i have limits.
Reading this is really funny because as I have heard, libraries are hiring social workers. Librarians are there to aid others by helping them find resources for the questions/problems that they have. Same with social workers. There are differences of course but there is a lot of overlap as well. I want to get a MA for social work and Library Science so I can better understand how to help others and gain better skills at finding resources as well.
I appreciate that you stick to your guns. You (general ‘you’) can’t do your job to the best of your ability and satisfaction if you’re faced with the expectation to do above and beyond what’s in your wheelhouse. In fact, it can be more harmful to do so.
I relate to this statement so much and that's why I'm here, can't pursue this if I'm not actually going to get the peace and quiet work environment
Libraries are community hubs now per the ALA. You will need to aim for an archive, special collection or academic library if you require quiet. Public school and public libraries are not quiet.
After 20 years of being a librarian, my most important pieces of advice to anyone getting in the field of information studies/science is twofold: (1) in the early years, do not stay at a job beyond the point where you have learned everything that you can and (2) learn as many computer skills (e.g., programming, data manipulation, and database design and implementation) as you can as this is the future of the field outside of managing people. It is also easy to get stuck in one area of librarianship, which closes the doors for other possibilities due to a lack of subject specific knowledge and skills.
I wish that I had realized how large managing others and taking part in social programming would be when I started as I would have likely switched over to archival studies.
I think that first piece about not staying in a job beyond a certain point works in any field. Some people are OK doing the same thing but most people would like that pay raise or mental challenge. Find a way to expand your existing job or look for something new.
@@stephaniewilson7352 I agree that this can apply to many jobs, e.g., cooking, but I feel that it is particularly important for vocations where the expected skills and knowledge base keep changing over time as they do in librarianship.
By switching jobs frequently while younger, I meant that one should focus on acquiring skills as it is easy to stay too long in a position where you are no longer learning the latest practices, particularly computer-focused skills or standards of practice (e.g., RDA based on the LRM model instead of FRBR). You also have to ensure that you are around others who are current and can mentor you.
It is also possible to end up in a position where there is no opportunity for advancement at all as special libraries can be siloed from the rest of an organization.
Hello mam, how is the salary of a school librarian? Is it enough to pay bills? I am thinking about the career change from a teacher. How can I do that?
@@hayley1868 its about$4300 a month in nc
@@hayley1868 why don't you wanna teach anymore?
As a librarian with 20+ years of experience, several with hiring responsibilities... the "I love books" can often times get the resume/CV placed to the bottom of the stack
Oh I CRINGE thinking about the applications I put in years ago with how much I love books
I make a point to say that I'm not that interested in books. Takes some explaining, but (a) it's true and (2) it gets people's attention.
You seem nice.
When I was the director of a public library I had a section for personal interests on applications. It stated, "Do not list reading." It was easier to train an aide that worked fast food than a recent English grad.
What sort of applications gets put at the top of of the stack?
It seems like every career I have researched has an over saturated job market. It kinda sucks and is very discouraging 😕
Everyone wants to do the fun stuff!
Important to note though that at least in the US and Canada (aside from during the current COVID situation), one can still find a job IF one is willing to move cities or even states/provinces. Currently there are fewer jobs, but I've started to see more and more positions open up in the past couple weeks, so things are getting better... slowly but surely.
What careers have you search
(Fellow librarian here)
If you feel like the career calls you, do it. There will be a job for you, if you put yourself out there and DO IT.
If you are interested in the field of librarianship, there WILL be a job for you. Librarians are retiring at a rapid rate through this pandemic.
I just wanted to add my 2 cents as someone very new to this field. It seems very daunting at first to get started, but once you get into it, you might find there's lots of opportunity if you're willing to think outside the box. For years I wanted to work in a public library, but my entryway into the profession ended up being a school position (as a library media technician) and I love it! Try getting your foot in the door somewhere and take advantage of professional development opportunities, and talk to people. Turn on your google alerts for library jobs in your area. You might be surprised at what pops up. I got an alert for a library tech job at the US court of appeals, I never would have considered that! Listen to some librarian podcasts (there are many!) to learn more about the industry. If you want to do it, you can do it!
I know I’m super late to this thread, but in the case that you’re still looking at it, please don’t fall into that trap that so many people do. There are millions, billions of people across the planet retired or children not withstanding, so you are not gonna find an industry that does not have a large population of people trying to get into it. You just have to find your niche establish yourself and go for it.
I wish there was a video just like this for every profession
I've only been a librarian for a little more than five years, but this is what I would say:
1) If you work at a branch in an emerging or underserved neighbourhood, you will be shocked at the number of community needs that you will be responsible for despite not being qualified to provide them. For example, you will encounter hordes of people living with debilitating mental illnesses or other personal/societal barriers because those services are regularly defunded and they will have no one and nowhere else to turn to. They will speak to you as if you're their therapist and you will have to walk the fine line of empathizing with them and helping as best as you can while also making clear that you're not a social worker. One of the services we offer at [LOCATION REDACTED] is an income tax clinic for modest-income people. In effect, certified volunteers agree to electronically file taxes for people who meet the government's criteria for who qualifies as a low-income person. It serves a very real need for people who are lacking in resources including but not limited to financial literacy, and those same people need and expect staff to be able to answer questions related to their taxes despite librarians not being accountants. The same is true for questions related to legal or medical advice. It's in your best interest to make clear whenever these situations come up that you're not a doctor/lawyer/etc.
2) Despite having once been librarians themselves, managers are rarely democratic. You will have staff meeting after staff meeting where everyone airs their concerns about how the workplace and the service they provide can be improved to meet the community's needs. Again and again, the managers will simply do what they had already decided on but likely did not communicate prior to any of the meetings in question. To make it better, there is rarely any mechanism in place to hold managers accountable to their staff. It can be jarring when you learn how out of touch they are with the work that you do. (A personal example is when a manager saw someone check out 12 DVDs at once, a perfectly normal and unremarkable interaction because of the number of people in our community who cannot afford either cable or the internet, and was surprised that someone would check so many out at once).
3) The notion of library fines will make less and less sense to you the longer your career goes on. We are often taught from a young age that overdue fees are an acceptable, benign, and even good way of teaching social responsibility - that our actions incur consequences. In reality, all they do is highlight who can pay and who cannot. If you haven't already guessed, the people who cannot are disproportionately affected by fines. For example, most systems charge $1.00 for every day a DVD or videogame is late. Let's say the aforementioned customer was a week late in returning their items because of circumstances that are not their fault and which they have no control over. $1.00 a day for each of those 12 items over 7 days will accrue $84.00 in late fines, money the person in question probably does not have. Most systems will encourage staff to "use their judgement," in situations where fines can be forgiven, but many of your colleagues will be such sticklers for the rules even and especially if they get in the way of doing the decent and ethical thing. Encouragingly, there are very real movements and pilot projects working to abolish fines but, at the time of this writing, they're only just gaining traction.
4) Being a Bookworm is not a requirement. Reading advisory (RA) questions are not as common as you might expect. There are people who really want an "expert's" opinion on what they should read next or a recommendation based on what they previously liked, but there is less demand for that particular skill than being able to help someone who struggles with digital literacy to access their email or a senior not understanding how their smartphone works. It's also not unheard of for staff to be so busy and/or overwhelmed with all of their other projects that an RA query coming from out of nowhere can really stump them.
I don't say this to discourage anyone from becoming a librarian, but to try and ensure that people who are thinking of pursuing librarianship as a career are making an informed decision about where to take their professional lives.
I think I have the opposite concern? I worry I'm not enough of a bookworm. I love the ambiance, but more because it's the last real Third Place there is. And I value it as a place for the working class (well, everybody too but specifically, for me, for the working class) to educate themselves and get access to all sorts of media.
Facts!!!!! 100% THIS especially the “other duties as required” that’s how they get you, and then morally you have to spend the hour helping a walk in apply for unemployment because then it’s on you.
Thankful I have had much better managers than you. All the managers I've had, in the 7 years I've been working in public libraries, all still participate in programming, outreach, and cover both circ/reference desks.
Also SUPER thankful that most public libraries are doing away with their late fees because studies have shown that it hinders access and doing away with fines brings more people in and increases circulation.
I'm a teen/reference librarian at a small, private library. I don't have my MLIS. I have a BA in English. I was hired because I'm active in the online reading community, I have over a decade of working with kids and teens and performance/directing/improv/venue halls/event planning. I have such a random assortment of experience that they said it was perfect for a librarian. I help people with applications, faxing, directions, Google searches, even shopping, more than I do helping people find books. And also dealing with a lot of homeless, mentally and physically ill people with things they need. And a lot of elderly. I'm slowly building up the teen section again and bringing them back, but daily activities, especially during school hours, deal less with books and more just helping people find what they need.
Thank you for posting this. I am an adult and want to start working for a Library. I have 30 years of experience in informal education, customer service, computer skills, event planning, public programming and more.
I worked in the library in college. To this day, it is still the best job I have ever had. It was so quiet and people that come into the library are generally very nice. The librarians were the best people and were also there for me on a personal level. I have never had a more caring group of coworkers ❤
“Few people are served well by a librarian who comes to work because they like the ambiance.”
As an aspiring librarian, I feel very called out by this-there is a reason the library was my favourite place to be at school. A space where it’s (generally) against the rules to be noisy? SIGN ME UP. But I also like books. And the satisfaction that comes with being a part of helping someone to Do Their Thing. And organising things genuinely makes my brain happy.
Libraries do have a really great feel to them. I thing hospitality is a huge part of why libraries have such a great atmosphere. I’ve been a librarian for a little over 5 years and it’s great that most customer interactions are way friendlier than most service oriented jobs. I also like the things to be organized, but just to warn you, things don’t stay organized so I welcome you to the repetitive struggle of keeping things organized. Whenever I hear someone tell their child to put something back where they found it I cringe internally.
While I wouldn’t go into an interview saying “I like the ambiance” one of the biggest motivators for me becoming a librarian was that I loved BEING in the library so much. That said, it wasn’t that I just liked to read or that it was quiet (although I like that too), but the sheer excitement of all there was to learn (plus the entertainment) that was available at the library just made me so happy to be there. I have to say, 16 years later, I still feel that way. It’s not that I walk into work every day thinking, “Oh boy! What books can I look at today?” But I still love the atmosphere, the accessibility of information AND the joy of trying to transfer a little bit of that enthusiasm to others is what makes me still love my job.
If you want to go into an interview saying "I like the ambiance", go for it. You're being authentic; your interviewers know. And you know, too. Remember... when you interview for a job, YOU are asking THEM if you want the job. You hold the power to decide.
I work for a large, urban public library... one of the largest systems in north america. There is noise, there is chaos, there can be violence. You need to be able to deal with conflict, de-escalate arguments, and serve people. Reading books is secondary to all of that. Perhaps you can find an old-fashioned library in a rural setting where things are different. Or an academic library. But in large cities, public libraries are temporary homeless shelters...and also hangouts for people with other barriers (mental illness, drug addiction). If you are not interested in acquiring some social worker skills, then do not work in a public library.
@@annk9027 I am interested in working in a public library. A close friend of mine does, and has shared stories of the times when they had to act more social worker than librarian, and how unequipped they felt for the task. They’ve given me a lot to think about re: my expectations going into librarianship, and just how far being of ‘service’ to the community really goes.
My mom has worked in libraries since the 80s and her advice is to work in a library in other capacities before pursuing an MLIS, an added bonus is that many universities, particularly public systems in the US at least, provide tuition assistance to full time employees where they will pay (usually one class a semester) for your degree, though it will take longer and you'll have to work full time while doing so. It is an option though and my mother got her MLIS for free in 3 years while working full time!
Two points;
1) Echoing another comment because I hope people take the advice; After getting hired, my boss told me that they get nervous when they hear an applicant cite “loving books.” It demonstrates not only a lack of understanding about what librarians do, but what libraries do most often in the community.
2) As stated in the video, librarian may not be your preferred job if you hate working with people. It is a customer service job, even if you never handle money or sales. If you get easily frustrated with people because they are confused about how to open an email, if you are deterred by rude patrons, and you prefer to do solitary work, it might be worth considering what you want.
The difference is that you’re not just selling someone something. You are helping people access information. This is what makes me love being a librarian. People are so excited when you get them what they need and help them answer a question. You are the place where the community points people. Seeing people happy bc they get help is the best feeling.
Honestly I'm a high school student who has wanted to be a librarian since I was in middle school. Even back in middle school I'd help out a lot in my local library. I usually just helped putting books back, helped at their weekly children's corner or their poetry meet ups, and cleaning up at the end of the day, but I remember the other people who came weekly would get more and more loving towards me the longer I helped, to the point people asked my questions and tried to keep a conversation. At first I just really liked the idea of being around books and the soft environment, but the addition of the kind people I helped out with really pulled it all together and made me so much more trilled to continue. I'm just scared of the idea of failure, burnout, and stress. I'm not good in stressful environments and I already have a learning disability that I'm sure will push me back, so I really don't know if this is just a lost cause for me or I'm just psyching myself out. I really think its worth it, but I don't know if it's right for me.
You can do it.
I am a librarian at a university and I love it! It is more stressful than I thought it would be, but I think most jobs are. The stresses vary depending on the type of library, your role in the library, and the specific job. It’s important to realize it’s not all about peace and a grateful patronage. Most library jobs these days involve a good bit of technology skills and the better you are at technology, the better off you will be. I suggest you get a job in a library before you commit, preferably in the type of library where you would like to work, and talk to a number of librarians about what they do. Most college libraries employ student workers and I bet they’d love to have someone who aspires to be a librarian! I would do my best to avoid excessive debt for your education- which applies to most fields but librarianship isn’t likely to pay that debt off quickly. While I am pulled in more directions than I ever imagined, I thrive on having multiple challenges and am almost never bored. And while it’s not the main reason to be a librarian, yes, I still love walking into the library when it’s quiet and there are lots of glorious books on the shelves holding their wisdom and stories. :)
@Kyla Esqueda I’m sorry you had this experience. If you really want to be a librarian, keep trying. You might try talking to someone at the library about their job and get some advice. There’s no 100% guarantee.
I believe in you 😊
You’ll make a great librarian one day. All careers have failure, burnout and stress. It’s best to choose the career you love and deal with the things that come with employment. That way the heavy things won’t be so unbearable because you’ll love your job at the end of the day. I am a librarian and I know that if anyone loves it for as long as you have, they’ll make great librarians. GOOD LUCK in the future and enjoy your youth, time in school, etc.
Personally, i like the idea of helping or educating the community without having to be an actual teacher (too rigid and i can't be dealling with kids for like, more than a few weeks at a time lol). But what scares me is having to hop from job to job frequently. Don't know if i could handle that :/
Thank you for the video and insight! Much to think about
When I went to college, I wanted to be a teacher. During college I changed my mind and broaden it to school Librarian. I graduated with a degree in elementary education and certified to be a school librarian. 1973 was my first year working in a small private K-8 school as the librarian in a different state than I was educated in. That required me to take courses in be licensed in that state, then I immediately started taking courses for my masters. Before finishing we moved to a new state. There I transferred as many hours as I could then finished my degree in 1983. Still working in a private school K-8 but with several hundred students. My specialty was children’s literature. Because I was in 3 different programs, I had to take the required courses of reference and cataloging 3 times. Actually they were very useful, since I was in private schools, there was me, myself and I to do everything; cataloging, filing, typing the catalog cards, purchasing, teaching, developing curriculum, technology. After 32 years I retired when a student gave me mono. Loved my job and you do have to love reading AND working with people. My students would ask “have you read ALL the books?”. My answer, How can I help you pick the right book if I haven’t read it? I gave 17-20 story hours a week, skills and research lesson to about 15 classes a week and booktalks to all before required book reports.
Don't hate me but I'm a high school student struggling to look for a degree, and I thought "Oh a librarian sounds fun because I love reading books and quiet environments, so I'll look into that". After watching this video that's NOT what I thought it would be at all, especially after your first point, when you talked about having to favor people > books. Idk if this profession is right for me yet, but you did a nice job explaining this video in small understandable pieces! Thanks again :)
Focus on becoming a Systems Librarian!
Take as many technology classes as possible in library school.
Also take advanced cataloging classes and metadata.
Any example of technology courses you would suggest?
THIS! It’s easier to get a job if you do what this person has said. Trust us!
@@VL20190 scripting courses where you learn xml, json, python, and or SQL & also study metadata cataloging and make sure you understand the structure of a Marc record. Don’t let all of that intimidate you. Even just a slight knowledge of those things can be great when applying for a job and in librarianship you will learn most things on the job and we know that when hiring new librarians.
In our uni cataloging and metadata are obligatory, I can't imagine finishing LIS and not knowing about those things!
@@chamberv5261That's the thing. I've yet to find a good program that includes those tech courses. It seems like academia is lagging behind with incorporating tech competency in their curricula.
I am a Librarian but I am also an illustrator so I have been hard at work turning the job I have into the job I want. I went from the standard circ position to designing posters and social media, and getting to draw mythical creatures for a collectible card game which is in its 3rd year. I’m developing my portfolio so I can invent an ideal job for myself and convince an organization to hire me full time to do everything I do best, from wherever I am. A year ago this felt like an unrealistic goal, but now it seems doable.
I am a licensed librarian in the Philippines, one of the requirements aside from the having a bachelor degree is to take the board exam to called one. A lot of effort is spent to become a licensed librarian, and it was sort of fulfilling to go through those hard times and win them. Being a librarian changed my life, it opened my mind to a lot of things making me cling to the idea that we are not just mere workers but we are an epitome of change, the one that we want to see in the world.
I have an MLIS degree and I'm still looking for my first librarian job 4 years later. I am finally getting interviews after Covid since many older librarians are retiring. I am now trying to study and be prepared for interviews. I have a lot of customer service experience and I am a hard worker.
Did you ever find a job dude?
I am a teacher, though I never really intended to be one and am kind of feeling at my end with this job. Being a librarian sounds like there's a teacher aspect involved in all the different kinds of guidance, instruction, and activities you can run at libraries. That's not bad for me because it isn't the whole job. I also like data management, because digital hoarding became a coping mechanism for my depression, but managing all that data became a way to fight it. In another way, a library looks like a place to take care of, and I would really like my own garden to tend to, so to speak. I don't have a green thumb literally, but I think I could definitely be a good guide for people, and a good groundskeeper of managing the information the library provides.
Not sure how but you mirror myself. I fell into teaching and love it but it been hell.
I'm a teacher and your comments about vocational awe and boundaries feel very familiar. Obviously teaching and librarianship are not the same (for one, the job markets are hugely different) but there is so much pressure to dedicate an unreasonable amount of yourself to the profession. The standards for what a "good" or "dedicated" teacher should be doing are often deeply unsustainable and can push out folks who could bring so much to our schools.
I'm starting my third year and it's always been very important to me to have boundaries and a life outside of my students. But the feeling that I am somehow a lesser teacher or don't care about my kids because of it is REAL. I know that that mindset is toxic, and as someone who has the privilege of both decent job security and a safety net to fall back on, I've found setting those boundaries hugely important. What that will look like as we start a new school year in the midst of COVID... remains to be seen.
I've left education because of this. I'm a female who's been in STEM higher ed for over 25 years, usually working 60-80 hours a week (going to the office all day Saturdays and Sundays too), mostly in smaller colleges. I loved not only the teaching, but the behind-the-scenes planning, organizing, helping other faculty, promoting students for scholarships or special programs or grad school or jobs, doing tutoring and outreach. I loved the connections with students, even being invited to weddings and baby showers, keeping in touch for decades, seeing their families grow and lives unfold beautifully.
What I didn't love, though, was the lack of acknowledgement, and the dishonesty among peers and especially admin. I didn't like the pressure to cover up cheating rather than address it, giving cheaters advantages over honest people in terms of grades and scholarships and access to med school. I didn't like the threat of firing over grade quotas, and peers whispering to me that they fudged grades to keep their jobs. These things adulterate the beautiful world of teaching and learning. I am not generally combative at all, really too trusting sometimes, but I will stand my ground on ethical matters. I was often pushed out of jobs for standing up on ethical issues, though the official reasons given were that I didn't work hard enough! So, I'm seeking a career change. Librarianship, despite the saturation, seems like the happiest fit for me. Haven't started, researching still.
@@lrigdrenlrigdren2147 Academia is a corrupt oligarchy based on prestige
Thank you for this! I am considering doing an MLIS in 2022, but I wouldn't consider myself a big bookworm. I love to read but since entering the workforce I find myself reading a lot less than I used to. However, hearing you saying that librarianship is helping others source information set off a lightbulb.
update: I am starting my MLIS next week. :)
@@itsfaylo congratulations! I'm a park interpreter and the best part of the job is helping people find answers to their questions. maybe I was meant to do this too
@@itsfaylo How’s it going thus far? I’m thinking of doing a program myself but I have no experience.
@@Chavon019 I am loving it. Best I've ever done in school.
I'm in university in Germany studying LIS, I relate to a lot you said about the profession and the warped view a lot of people have on it, but the educational aspects and the job market are completely different here. First, you get a LIS degree as a bachelor's here (6 or 7 semesters, depends on the program), then you can also get a master's if you want, but there are not a lot of benefits to doing so. Money is not as big as a factor in the decision-making because there is no tuition. The job market is actually really good for us at the moment, our professors often tell us that we can basically choose which job we want after university because at the moment there is a big generational change in the field, a lot of librarians are retiring. Maybe this is our chance to change the profession in a more positive and modern direction.
I wanna become a librarian, probably a school librarian. I know my love for books isn't gonna be enough for it, so I'm here! :) Thanks for this video
Thank you for this video. I dropped out of studying architecture last year. It was my dream degree, a combination of people, math, and art. But I became disillusioned with the career, it suffers from a nasty case of vocational awe combined with the systemic barriers that makes it impossible for anybody in the lower classes to be successful in a creative career. I am on a gap year, reflecting on what I want to do with my life. Library sciences have come up for me. I feel so relieved. A career where I get to help my community directly, combined with systematic thinking, and flexibility of application, its more than I ever hoped for. I have had a passion for education and access to information my entire life, its amazing to find that there is a degree for what I consider to be my calling.
I love that you said that you said that loving books...basically was not why one becomes a librarian. I became an school librarian, not because I love books, (which I do), but more because I love how my elementary kids light up when I read something that connects with them. I hate how librarians are just treated as that old lady that beeps the books in and out.
I am almost finished with my degree, and I have already felt much of what you shared. My biggest issue with the theoretical knowledge of librarianship is this concept that school librarians are supposed to be superheroes who are able to juggle 100 balls at once (customer service, tech trends, curriculum expert, participation on all school committees, budget managers, storytellers, book reviewers, involved in community events, grant writers, etc.). There is literally no way that one person could possibly do everything that the academic world recommends. I have also recently been reminded that many school districts move their employees around which disrupts the process of developing collaborative relationships over the long term. I would prefer to devote myself to one school community where I can plant myself and nurture the stakeholders there. At this time, I am really not sure what I will do when I graduate. Thank you for your video and advice!
I know many school librarians who feel your pain
Your vocabulary is insanely extensive wow
Aw shucks no you are 😊
I love books, but I’m definitely a people person- I was going to school to be a play therapist and counseling but I have changed my mind and want to work for the public doing public service through the library. I’m great at research, family trees, as well as finding missing persons; so I’m thinking I could do something with that through being a librarian. So I’m taking my bachelors degree in Psychology onto get my MLS. 💜🥰
Love it!
This is what I did! I have my bachelor's on psychology and now I am getting my masters in Librarianship. I think they fit together really well...
Apryl Dawn I am still confused about what a digital librarian does. Have you found any I formation on this yet? I start my MLIS next spring and I have to choose between public librarian, digital librarian, and archivist and record keeping. The only one I’m not sure of is digital, and there does not seem to be much information readily available online.
@@LostNFoundASMR Librarians like renaming their jobs. For example, catalogers have become metadata librarians. However, digital librarians are librarians who work with digitization of data or turning text documents, archives into digital collection so people do not have to travel to the library to retrieve information, but access it online.
@@Teffi_Club thank you so much for that information Teffi ☺️
Thanks for the point about other job titles. After almost 25 years in library world I changed jobs again (been a school librarian, public library director, etc.). The title: Data Management. What it is: Running a technology library. The world of special librarianship is HUGE. Sometimes you need to translate the vocabulary.
I'm not a librarian, but have worked as a Library and Archives Technician for over 20 years. Much of what you said resonated with me, especially perhaps being more suited to archival work. Two of my favorite, best and longest lasting jobs were working in archives. Most of the library jobs I had before and after them have been frustrating and unsatisfying. Even when I interviewed for other library jobs, it didn't feel like it was quite the right fit. Before your video, I never really thought there was much of a difference between library and archival work.
I would really like to pursue archival work. Do you have any advice for me? I’m currently in college pursuing my MLIS (still at the very beginning of it) but I can’t help but feel like the schooling is a waste of time but I’m a bit discouraged by job postings that all require the degree.
@@tivaa.7293 Archival jobs without a degree are not all that common. I got an Archival position at a music museum because I had cataloging and writing experience, plus music knowledge. Then I got a corporate archives job because of that previous experience. So I guess my advice would be look for archives that match up with your interests and experience and perhaps volunteer or intern. If you're unsure of getting an MLIS, you might consider an Associates Degree, which is what I have. The pay isn't as high, but the work may be more steady. These days, most of the librarians I know and work with have to have two or three part time jobs to survive, but Library Techs seem to be able to work full time at least. Good luck!
The first point actually made me realize I want to be a librarian even more. I have some stubborn social anxiety and am an introvert, but democratizing information is something I’ve always felt very strongly about and even currently do everything I can to make information accessible to people who are in close proximity to me. I got nervous when I went online and saw that “strong customer service skills,” were a must to be a librarian cause I immediately got flashbacks to my retail jobs, but I think enduring that for something I’m so passionate about will make it worth it. I’m happy I watched this video. :)
Thank you for this, esp #2. So many new librarians (myself included) burn out really quick or literally get sick from stress and overwork because they feel a calling to the career.
Yes. I have a former co-worker who had a heart attack due to stress.
2020 really set up an abundance of fear into me. I got my MLIS back in June, couldnt get an entry level job anywhere and felt really hopeless about the field. I have a BA in Journalism and have gotten a 6 month contract with it. But I really need guidance as to where I should head with both these degrees. I cannot live with an 8 dollar minimum wage.
Thank you so much for your video. As always, you never cease to amaze me with your kindness and honesty. I will take your wisdom and hopefully put it to good use.
In the meantime, I would love to connect with other fellows on this platform. It seems like we are not alone at all.
I am nearing the final semester of my MLIS degree (SJSU - go Spartans!) - it is an entirely online program. I started my journey because I wanted to take control of the fact that I really don't like my job (Business Systems Analyst for a city crime lab) -- I am in a position where taking one class a semester is doable, both financially, and time wise. Interestingly, I am also nearing the time I can retire with a pension from the city, so my MLIS may do nothing other than allowing me to say "Hey I have a Master's degree". Now what does all this mean? the classes I have taken have been great, I feel like I have learned something about the world in general, and I have a greater sense of self worth. Don't get stuck in the fact that you can't (or just decide you don't want to) use your degree. Sometimes learning is a goal in and of itself.
Your job sounds so interesting! What made you not like it?
@@cinnamonflan1412 I think I am just done with being in law enforcement - we see and know more about the crime in the world, and I think I would like to be a bit more oblivious. I have loved my job - but its time is past.
Wow that's great to know you can take one class per semester! As a single mom I can't afford to get in over my head with school costs, I will have to look into that option
I feel the same way! I have a bachelors in journalism with a video production background. 10 years later I am realizing that I don’t LOVE my background like I would LOVE to be a public librarian. I would love to give to my city the information and knowledge they are in search of when they come to the library but I also want to give them fun and create programs for children when they visit. 10 years after my bachelors and I’m deciding to go get a masters.
One of the great things about being a librarian is that so many of your non-librarian life experiences can apply. In your case, your background in law and criminal justice can be great assets in specialized librarian fields, or even apply in general reference as you never know what people are going to ask. Other aspects that might apply - crime statistics analysis could lead you to data services librarianship, awareness of intellectual property law --> librarians are increasingly needing to know about copyright and attribution, especially with open educational resources. Librarian skills apply in other fields that have to do with organizing, finding, and presenting information.
I’m nowhere near deciding what I want to do with my life, I’m still a freshman in high school. I’ve wanted to be a librarian for a long time. I like to read a lot, but I’ve also always wanted to be able to help people. To encourage them to seek out new information and to just be able to be a part of the community. Thank you for this video. I think this helped me realize that volunteering for the library could also be less stress and I could still be able to help others. If only my library was looking for volunteers right now lol. But nonetheless, thank you for this. The world is a complicated place but libraries will always be there. Librarians need to be appreciated more!
Your advice is spot on! As someone who runs a library, I can say, the love of people is most important as you say! It really helps you get the people connected to the right books they want. And it’s a thankless job sometimes. The books are not going to thank you, but seeing someone reading a book they really enjoy or helps them is very rewarding.
I'm not a professional librarian but I took care of two private libraries at my school in my undergrad. I love finding the right book for a student. I thought about getting my masters in library science. But I found I'm much happier as a nurse. I have my own private library though☺️ it is open to me and my friends
This is pretty depressing, but thanks for letting me know how much customer service there is with this job.
Hi Peter, I started watching your videos during the early stages of my MLS. I've since been lucky enough to get a library tech job in an outer suburban library in Melbourne Australia. It's full time so I'm planning on exiting next month with a graduate diploma which will allow me to work as a librarian. I'll go back to do the rest of my masters at a later time. When I started this degree, I did it because I want to help people and the pandemic has really helped me appreciate how much public libraries mean to the community. For me it was a choice between social work and librarianship and I see some of the work that we do as a kind of social work. Even though we are about to go in to a second lockdown, we'll be delivering food packages and calling people in the community who may need help. Hope you and your partner stay healthy and safe Peter xox
Congratulations!! This is encouraging, I live in Melbourne, too and have just applied for a Master's of Info Management at RMIT. :)
Ettarh's essay is one of one of the most important things I've read. It encouraged me to think a lot more critically about why I was pursuing library science. I still am, but I am less inclined to think of it as a calling than a career I'm interested in. Thanks for this video
even though you published this 4 years ago, this video was very helpful in actually *reinforcing* why i want to become a librarian. i have a master of public health, so i'm coming directly from the systems thinking, public service approach. i love books but honestly reading is like, my 3rd favorite hobby. i'm transitioning from public health research to librarianship precisely *because* i want to be more of a direct public servant to my community, and librarianship seems like a great way to do that. thanks for this video!
I was the same before running a library, reading was number 3 or 4. But once I had to run a library, reading became number 1 because I feel it is my duty to read through a all the subjects that the library has to offer, so that I can help give good recommendations. It’s a lot of reading and now I really enjoy it. I just take a book from different subjects, and skim through, read a little. Don’t need to read the entire book alway, but it is enough for me to start grasping that different subject and understand what the people who read it are thinking. It has advanced me so much in helping people find the books they need. There are so many clueless and ignorant librarians out there who are completely unhelpful to the patrons, and this is what I hope to change!
YES! Number 1 really speaks to me, because I am a teacher becoming a teacher-librarian. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than helping teachers by connecting them with the perfect resource and helping students by developing a love of reading.
The reason I want to become a librarian is I love helping others with their needs
I had never thought of librarianship when I graduated with an undergrad in Biology. It was thrust upon me when I was asked to establish a K-8 school library from the ground up. In the midst of sorting and cataloguing, I decided to take the Library Tech Program at a local college. It was very practical and hands on; perfectly suited for my day-to-day work. I've enjoyed the metadata aspect of my library studies and hope to focus on that when I apply for an MLIS. Thank you for sharing your experiences and refreshing perspective.
Side note, I had respect for you before but the TNG reference put it over the top.
Great video Peter. As a librarian, I second most of what you say. Many misconceptions clarified, particularly 'ooh I would love to work in a library, you must have a lot of time to read...'
We really need more librarians who are passionate about serving people.
Loved this video. It was very informative. Been thinking very seriously about getting an MLIS recently. I've always loved helping people and sharing knowledge. When I volunteered at my big city library I saw a lot of homeless people there. I didn't think much of it until a librarian told me that the library is one of the only places homeless people can go to stay warm in the winter, use a computer, learn, and feel safe for a little bit. This made me realize that a library is so much more than a place for books, but a place to help people.
Was on a completely different life path until COVID hit. It made me rethink a lot about what I want to do and how I want to spend my time on this earth. Cause anything can happen at any time.
So thank you for spending the time to make this video. It is much appreciated.
I'm a librarian student, second year :') thank you :)
i found this video useful. I completed my MLS and I start my first full-time library job next tuesday, almost 6 years after earning my degree. I had 2 internships.
I really appreciate this. I just finished my first semester of my ILS undergrad and I appreciate hearing from others in the field
Thank you so much for posting this video. I found it after getting my PhD in another field, teaching for a year, and then taking a break to rethink my life. I can't say enough about how the problems you mentioned in the field of librarianship also afflict higher ed. I'm more than happy with my own PhD, but there are those who sacrificed so much more and got so much less for theirs.
Yup I can rule out being a librarian. I appreciate the information.
I think there are precious few professions where actually reading books all day is part of the job. Even book sellers mostly spend their time processing books, not reading them.
I came back to this video as a refresher before I start my MLIS in September. This time I actually read the article-and it was well worth the read. Thanks, Peter! I’ll be bopping around the rest of your videos in preparation for my studies. I appreciate that you’ve taken the time to make them.
All the best from Montreal!
I just recently discovered I would like to work in a library. Libraries have long been a backbone of the Internet and a pillar of freedom of information. I'm a computer scientist at heart and the good that libraries do for their communities is something I want to be a part of
I just got an entry level job at a library and this video is great! im really excited to be apart of my communities throughout my life. i do love books, and sharing information and making it available to people. I love people the most.
This video was exactly what I needed to watch. I love books and I like being in libraries, so I get pressurised a lot by my parent to be a librarian, then got mad whenever libraries rejected me. I am so relieved to hear this so thank you, I will choose a path that suits me more.
Also librarians are the heroes, their customer service is great and their organization, support and kindness is invaluable. So many terrible days in my life were soothed thanks to the library
I'm applying to library school right now & I'm thrilled to find this video/channel. You're doing very useful work
I was working in a school library while doing my master's degree with MLS's but now I'm looking for a library job myself and all I keep finding are leave replacements. I do love the books but I also love when the students find that one book that makes them fall in love with reading.
It's a hard thing, right? What I've heard from folks is that sometimes (not always) those leave replacements are the first step into permanent positions. At a library system near me, my understanding is that they just hire so many people for part time positions and maternity leaves that, when a permanent position comes up, it becomes an internal competition only because they have such a big pool of candidates.
On the one hand, great that they're giving their current employees who are underemployed a shot at full time. On the other hand, I find it morally wrong (not just questionable, but actually wrong -- and I'll stand by that statement forevermore) that they rely on part time work so extensively. People shouldn't *have* to cobble together multiple part time jobs just to get by, and hiring external folks into those precarious underemployment roles is asking your workers to sacrifice their wellbeing for the employer's sake.
I landed here while mentally preparing for a PT job at my local library while I recover from career burnout as a copywriter. Always have enjoyed helping my local community, and the library is an underappreciated resource. With my career history, I'm open to the idea of transistioning into their marketing dept someday if the opportunity becomes available.
Anyway, I didn't expect to cry from the refreshing encouragement regarding degrees. Part of my burnout came from feeling shame for not pursuing the same jobs as the rest of my family (mostly nurses and blue collars) even though I know those fields aren't good fits for me... It always felt like I had to be doing something extraordinary for it to be "worth it" in comparison. So, thank you for the uplifting content. Subscribed.
@incandescentlightbulb I hope you enjoy your new library job! I'm not a librarian but have worked as a Library Clerk for most of my adult life (I started as a Page). I last worked in a library in 2016 but have just landed another library job this past month and will be starting soon (I've done fingerprinting and pre-employment physical - next step is to fill out paperwork). I'm excited, yet still nervous about starting a new job and having to re-learn everything from how to work the telephone transfers and everything else 😂. I would love to know how things go for you.
Just subscribed, my mother was a librarian for 30 years, and i wish i would have followed her into the profession. Still dream of doing it when it's an available option.
Thank you for this video! I'm currently 3rd year Library and Information Science student 😊
Good luck, you're doing great! :)
I was nodding my head and passively taking in your points, and then suddenly, at the end of the video, I teared up. Realizing self worth and then decidedly making your choices around that is huge. I suspect you just unknowingly applied some part of your education. I came for info on academia and left with so much more.
You deserve the best, and nobody can advocate better for that than yourself.
Wow, thank you so much for this. I’m currently deciding whether or not to pursue an MLIS myself and your video was incredibly helpful.
Thanks for this video. I work in museums, but the information on your channel always feels very relevant. Especially since I sometimes think I'd like to work in a library at some point. I'm actually going to be looking for a new job in the near future and I may apply to a library or two in addition to museums, just to try my luck. But I'm worried that I won't be able to get a job in either field because I actually don't have a degree. I have 5 years of experience in museum work, but in this climate I'm scared it still won't be enough.
Peter, may God bless you! Thanks for the message! I'm trying to keep everything is perspective concerning my librarian job and act positively.
I’ve recently developed an interest in becoming a librarian or work in a library. Haha yes I do love books! But I do enjoy working and talking with people. I think it would be deeply satisfying to connect people with books they need and connect people to great stories. Unfortunately I am not in college or anything. I work full time and provide for myself. I’ve thought about school once before, I just don’t want to waste my time and money if I can’t find librarian jobs. Could I possibly just go straight to a library and see if they have intern programs or any extra side work for people? I’m sure it depends on the state and city, but I was just curious if school or university or mandatory.
You can find non-librarian jobs at libraries that don't require degrees! And as you say, it varies from place to place. Just keep in mind that the jobs you're eligible for without a degree or experience will be quite limited in scope, and likely in pay.
I love your channel! I see all kinds of experiences with people who have gotten their MLIS. 3 people have 3 part time jobs at different libraries. Another person told me it took 10 years to get any kind of library work with her degree and the work she is doing now doesn’t require a degree she’s a technician like me. One co-worker got a full-time Youth Services job right after she got her degree. Whenever I ask them about their experiences getting an MLIS, the ones with the “Awe for Librarianship,” get resented at me for even questioning the degree and tell me that unless I am fully dedicated it’s not for me. I also question the safety of library employees as I feel there aren’t enough safety measures in place for patrons that continually cross boundaries. They also tell me that librarianship might not be for me but I still hold that it’s basic working conditions rights. Librarianship is just a job and you need to respect yourself! I am a library technician that can do librarian work as a temporary substitute, so I am getting the experience but I also see that it favors some personality types more than others and all this uncertainty makes it more prone towards people with more privileges that these things don’t matter to them. I still love library patrons and despite all my fears I can say that I enjoy working with people more than the some librarians around me. I was the one to point to my librarian boss how I see “diversity” in the lower level jobs but all the supervisors are white. She brought it up in a supervisors meeting after. I don’t know anything for sure yet, I still have hope that maybe I’ll get to be a librarian as I nervously enroll into one or two classes. 😔 Librarians were my heroes as a kid and I as a Latina see the relief in people’s faces when they can talk to me in Spanish. There are only two other people who speak Spanish in the whole entire system so I make myself fully available for my Spanish speaking patrons. So I see how I can make contributions but like you said the MLIS might not love me back.
Thank you so much for the Picard reference. I highly agree in many of your views on what to do to achieve your dreams. Becoming a librarian holds a lot more options to something OTHER than work in the ambience of books. However I strive to include literary genres into all my work as a librarian: when we make an event, when we have new partners, when we create new spaces within the library. But it is easy to burn out. And I am reaching that point at the moment. That won't stop me from trying to achieve my goal: to work with literature and people. And this is key, working as a librarian is more often working with people and their interest in specific topics, than working with your own interest in specific topics. Another however, this is why and this is IMPORTANT, when you have to come up with an idea or you are already part of something your library team creates, you hold the power to include some of the literature you desire to give to the people who come and go to the library. Let me give an example: I have always adored this obscure poetic compilations of perverted, but very poetic poems made by what would become a Danish national social critic and writer. He made this collection of poems and published it in the 1920s using words as: catpiss, whore, etc. It was controversial then and turns out: it still is 100 years later. When we had a theme called "Østerbro Dares" I included using the poem. How you might ask? Well, we decided to make an exhibition of banned books, and also retrieve books that were banned to make a section of library devoted to the exhibition. THEN I made a poster with one of the old poems from the 1920s about a hooker who has an abortion. It sounds gross and bizarre, but the poems are very beautifully done. So I made a poster with one of the poems, but before that I had ask those who hold the rights to the texts i.e. in this case an obscure publishing company called ÆTHER, if I could use one poem in one library only then; and I got a YES, with the promise to sent pictures from the exhibition (and yes I did sent that email, and took some photos, because keeping promises with partners or other is important). Alright, back to the story, then when I had gotten the yes to use the poem on a poster. We curated six different banned books, made posters with appetizers on the books and then printed out A4 pages with curated texts by us about the books. There are many ways to include your interests in literature either it being aparte poems or popular culture books - the ideation is formed by your ability to use it to serve the higher purpose of enlightening someone who might not have known about this otherwise, also known as the principle of serendipity. One day an old woman came into the library on my shift, I helped her, I listened we talked. Because I did that I noticed something in her interests, culture, so I took her to the section of the library where we had the exhibiton on banned books. She immediatly started smiling and I told her I had curated the old obscure poem, told her about it's controversy in what a poem is and what art is and why we publish and to my big surprise, she told me that the author of my favorite obscure poems that I had curated, asked for permission by the owners today to use, spent time writing about the controversy and court trial during it's time of publishing, my favorite weird collection of words.. well, the old woman told me that the author used to be her teacher. This would not have been known to me if my interests had not been part of what we create within the library space. And I have numerous of examples of how using literature within your job, whatever and however you might be affiliated with the library, is a big part of what will shine through to the user. I hope this very long story made you want to become a librarian even though we are not always working surrounded by books, for instance I have only two shifts during the week where I am actually available for users, but I do spent a lot of time working from remote spaces, because I find them (be it a café, at home, walking, going to other libraries, museums wherever I go) .. I find them inspiring in accordance of what might be possible for me to do as a librarian for the people who use our libraries. I do not work with literature every day, much time goes to help people where a techincal system has failed them, but everytime I talk to someone, I get to know a little more about the community I work in - and then can I start combining their thoughts on libraries today with my interests and qualifications and within the office policies and bureaucracy that I am a part of and have to take in to notion, only then can I combine you as a library goer with me - a person who loves literature. Do not stop dreaming of becoming a librarian because of your interest in books, but learn how to use it in accordance with your workplace and in accordance to how that might benefit someone else and in what way.
- Sincerely a danish librarian.
Cæcilie Brix
PS. I do have an instagram account if someone who reads this finds my weird approaches interesting. :) @brixandthebooks
Ps. One disclaimer I got : the words I use from to describe the poem is words used within the poem, and are not my opinion on how to talk about sexworkers or other career paths.
So, my issue with the MLIS and the ALA is that the ALA uses the requirement for an MLIS as a way to reproduce their ideological standpoint, which, I’m sorry, is conservative and tends towards gatekeeping. I don’t understand the value that the ALA brings to the table, especially since they are siding against library workers in this COVID climate.
Thank you so much for your video, your words are very valuable to me!
I've been studying Library Science for three years and have learned many of these things you said. Although I haven't graduated yet, a few months ago I had the opportunity to start working in a library and let me tell you that facing the experience of being a librarian is wonderful, it makes you realize how much you love your career and that every step is important for your learning and knowledge.
Greetings from Colombia! 😊
Saludos de Canada! :D
It really is a big challenge, because the work truly is so gratifying which can make someone feel, "oh well sure there are these dark sides to the profession but they are outweighed by these nice things!" And of course it comes down to the individual to make that choice for themselves. Heck, I'm not even sure where I'm at professionally and I've been working in libraries for a couple of years now.
In any case, glad to have you along ^_^
Thank you for this video. Ultimately, I don't think I want to be a librarian anymore. I just want to read books. 📚💕
Thank you so much! I liked how you clarified librarians care about people more than books and the historical self-sacrifice that I sensed in libraries but always seemed muddy to me. Thanks again!
Honestly i love books too. But i love them, because of what they give to people. Books give people information, education, and even access to resources they never knew existed. They help build community. And at a library, the most important job you have is working with the community, and doing what you can to help your patrons. I grew up at the library, because it was our third space. So much information, and so many community based activities to allow the disenfranchised people a chance to educate themselves and build strong relationships with others close by they may not have met before
Not just that, but they organized events for our little town as well. Librarians are amazing, and do so much for the areas they're placed in. And a lot of the time, those things may not involve books at all.
Hello Stacks & Facts! Thanks for an informative and great video. I just started my libarian education yesterday and feel really great about it. Greetings frome Sweden.
I really liked this video and the points that it touched on. I have been a professional librarian for 18 years now.I was lucky and got full time librarian job almost as soon as I graduated. One of the most frustrating aspects was that the pay was so low that for the first five years I almost always had a second job so I could pay my loans back and pay my rent. Sometimes supervisors would say things to the staff about how the professional staff had to handle the customer problems because they were making more money. It was annoying because if I subtracted the amount I was paying in student loans I was making about the same or less than the library assistants.
I feel like I found my monjo or path in libraries by stepping back and having my children and working part time instead of fulltime. It allowed me to figure out what aspects I was truly interested in. I love creating programs and creative learning projects for the customers. Next year when my children are in school fulltime I would like to work on libraries part-time and blog or work in web design part time.
To be honest, I'd love to work at an alternative type of library. One that serves an alt community and doesn't push to serve everyone but rather provide space for alternative ideas and practices. I wonder what that would look like. I'd think more libraries for street arts, video games, etc. Basically anything labeled street, minority or other...
If not... maybe I'd have to build something myself after some time in the field.
I'm a year late, but have you looked into being a Makerspace Librarian?
This is my major barrier, the cost as you mentioned, I have a technical associates degree that has me working in health, I'm receiving a bachelors in generalized management. What's my point in sharing this? I worked part time in two public libraries and my university's medical library for many years and loved it. I like working with people and I liked the education side of thing plus how the librarians and staff had to adjust to the new needs of a technologically advancing society. An example was adding a 3D printer as one of our offered services plus a class on how to use them. We even started offering English classes to primarily Spanish speakers as well. I know as a librarian my salary would probably stay around the same or possibly increase a tad if I'm going to believe all those website statistics. However, I just imagine myself taking out loans for that masters degree. Ive been lucky to get scholarships and federal aid so I'll be getting my bachelors with no debt as I did with my associates but I can't imagine finishing my masters with out any debt at all. I'd want to not regret my choice because of the cost of schooling as the primary reasoning for that regret.
Love the job search tips at the end. Thank you for sharing. 🙏🏻 Also, the TNG clip!!!!!
I find myself back on this video and to my surprise found a LIS job title I didn't expect being an intelligence analyst....though now thinking it clearly it makes sense after all most library science degrees aren't just library but also tack on information science in there
I have been thinking about going for a masters in library and information science, because I love information and democracy.
I am an interpretive park ranger considering a librarian career. The absolute best part of my job is gathering information about our park and sharing it with people eager to learn and experience the natural world. I love finding answers to questions, I love the research that goes into creating programs, and I love the depth of knowledge each park holds. (And parks have libraries!) I definitely do it for the connections with the public. Do you think I'd be a good fit for an MLIS degree?
I think so. You enjoy engaging people for their sake and the benefit of their community and have experience with information literacy and programming for niche audiences.
thank you for these tips - I want to become a librarian in the future!!
where I live, the academic librarianship is occupied mostly by men. the public schools have majority of women working as librarians, but the university positions are filled by mainly men. I'm trying to get into a university library, but it's very difficult.
My ex female boss enjoyed hiring males. Only women who enjoyed flattering her were able to keep working there.
I'm really glad I got a paraprofessional work at an academic library with benefits and healthcare before I went into libraries - now I'm hoping to work my way up at the same institution!
My city heavily relies on college students for their positions, so it’s really hard to move up to a full time. I actually got my degree in communications. I am very passionate about production, but with COVID applying to a full time library job at one of the biggest library systems feels secure and is pretty school with all of their services.
The only downside is the pay. I went to college to only barely get paid the living wage. I’m thinking of getting my MLIS to give me the opportunity to apply to programming jobs within the library for better pay. I don’t know if I want to fully give my life to the libraries when my passion is in production. Maybe the library might be temporary for me?
Also, I’ve worked at a library since I was 19 and I’ve learned that the library is all about the community. I love being able to talk to teens and help people, but people take advantage of that and want you to do everything for them when you’re not qualified.
very inspirational discourse
I'm in high school and am still looking at colleges and career paths, I love research and I love helping people, I love every aspect of libraries from providing technology access to underprivileged peoples to helping college kids do research papers to being a spot for a kid to just sit and read. I really think that looking into librarianship could be a good fit for me but there aren't really any offerings for MLIS programs in my area let alone at the schools that excite me for non library reasons. So I'm kind of at a impasse, but I have all kinds of options for my future so who knows. We will see.
What an ALA accredited MLS enabled me to do as a tenure track faculty librarian at a podunk liberal arts college. 1) put paper in the printer; 2) hand out staplers, highlighters, and tape at the “desk”; 3) remove paper jams from said printer noted in item #1; 4) publish peer reviewed articles, make multiple presentations at local and annual library conferences, work assigned nights and weekends, plus a plethora of other tasks...and receive absolutely no salary/merit increase over the two and a half years I worked for that crappy school; 5) dealt w/ rude, entitled students and area residents who barked orders and treated me like crap. Anyone considering getting your MLS/MLIS...think long and hard about it and talk to LOTS of librarians who have been in the trenches to really get an inside glimpse into what your future can hold. I ditched the profession after 3 years and went back into my non-faculty academic profession making just shy of six figures b/c being Marian the Librarian was making me brain dead and bankrupt.
you look like indie rock singer Alex G. this was a very informative vid thank you
Something worth considering - as a non-librarian but a library-worker of many years now - is the precarious position libraries are in now in terms of serving as this pseud-social services site, or being asked to be this, and the impacts of that. I.e. serving as a safe space for folks experiencing homelessness, and how that and the needs therein clashes with the more affluent members of the community. We absolutely exist for the people, not the collection, however, with that there comes a LOT more issues than simply a "customer focused mindset." Intellectual freedom is a fun thing to try to discuss with someone who thinks we should be calling the police on someone watching porn - and then calls the police on us when we refuse to do so because it's technically something we protect. The current political climate can make programming for LGBT+ teens EXCRUCIATINGLY difficult and borderline dangerous (see King County Library System's Drag Queen Storytime debacle and how that was handled by leadership). Which then ties neatly into issues of...what libraries are supposed to be, and what they're being turned into, in many cases, in a late-stage capitalist world.
Just some thoughts I'd love to hear your opinion on!
Is it just me or are librarians/library workers much more class conscious than typical office professionals? Like I was worried at first that they might find out I'm a commie pinko and no one has like, challenged me or threatened me with a lecture about how communism killed 69 gorrilion people
This makes me worry about becoming a librarian in the state of Florida…
really appreciate this and your work Peter - wish I wasn't sad/upset/not myself when I came into the program in 2018, but even so I got a lot out of it! And no, you don't have to be a librarian!
hi, I love the channel and I'm really in love with the idea of becoming a librarian! i've volunteered as a page at both my local library (a little slower, much more suburban) and the downtown branch for a few years now so I think I have a good understanding of most of the front-end tasks (I've done shelving, requests, book withdrawals, displays, programs, inventory, new items, all those lovely things), and I've seen my supervisors handle patron questions and a few of my own, which I adore! But I've always wondered, and I'm not sure how to ask them, what is a librarian doing when they're typing and scrolling away at a computer? It seems like a good chunk of their job, and while I love all I've seen, I feel like there's still so much I don't know about what I'd be getting into. I've kind of guessed it's cataloging? And what exactly is cataloging anyway? thank you, have a nice day :)
This is a great question! For what it's worth, I give you my explicit permission to ask your librarians, "what do you do on a daily basis? I'm thinking of becoming a librarian because I love working here but I don't know what that means exactly."
You can also get a feel for the variety of jobs and duties on this video: ua-cam.com/video/yv425sNrjO0/v-deo.html -- around the 3:30 mark a table shows up on screen showing some of the duties that librarians do behind the scenes. You can also get a feel for what librarians do by scoping out various library job boards: look up "ALA joblist" and "bc partnerhsip job site", poke around some of the postings that are interesting to you, and read through the description of duties.
@@StacksFacts thank you, that's so helpful!
Thank you for this video. I’ve been considering getting my MLIS (I got my BA in Illustration/graphic design 2 years ago but can’t get into the field), but wasn’t sure about what career I might want to go for with it. Good to know that being a librarian is mostly about people. I’m an independent worker by nature, so having my job being mostly about serving others sounds... Not ideal 🙃
I love the books but I"m thinking more helping people find stuff in those books-so maybe Researching or Archivist. We shall see as the time goes on. Hm, thank you for your food for thought.
I am entering the final semester of my MLIS degree and I have found myself leaning towards the Information Policy and Management. My specialization is in digital curation which I feel adds a level of understanding of digital information and digital data lifecycles
Great video! Thank you! I am currently in my second semester of library school. Hopefully I will be graduating in spring of 2022!
I love all your videos!
Thank you for this vid! I’m actually going back to school (second undergrad for history, my first is in english lit but mental health struggles and not seeking help led to a low gpa) this fall. I’ve been wanting to pursue an MLIS for awhile and am finally figuring out where I might best fit: I’d ultimately like to work in archives and help change the system to better support access to information (especially to marginalized and underprivileged groups) and also help shift the colonialist nature of museums and the like. A wide goal I know lol but hey, shoot for the moon and I’ll land among the stars at least?
Haley please start out with some courses in Library Technology at a local community college or online, please. I am advising this because the MLS is a tough ride. I love the young people who are in the field now because you guys are smart and friendly in comparison to some older professionals who are now retired. Archives is a good choice and also working with people at the front desk checking out books or Reference. Hope that this helps a lot. Stay in touch with your docs and counselors/friends and family. I am a retired educator and I care.
@@lilliansteele7165What about a BLIS?