So, You Want to be a Librarian: The Modern Librarian
Recently, I have been getting more questions about becoming a librarian- either from those interested in joining the field or who thought the field was dying...or dead.
To celebrate the start of the academic year, I decided to type up my answers and expand them into a blog series: So, You Want to Become a Librarian. This series aims to help those who are interested in pursuing a career in Library and Information Science (LIS) or who want to find out what us modern librarians really do.
In this post, I will be debunking some of the concepts of what libraries used to be like and revealing critical aspects of what makes up the modern librarian.
Libraries are traditionally depicted as old buildings with just as old librarians. And those librarians are typically women shushing loud patrons from behind the desk where they protect and circulate their precious books.
To celebrate the start of the academic year, I decided to type up my answers and expand them into a blog series: So, You Want to Become a Librarian. This series aims to help those who are interested in pursuing a career in Library and Information Science (LIS) or who want to find out what us modern librarians really do.
In this post, I will be debunking some of the concepts of what libraries used to be like and revealing critical aspects of what makes up the modern librarian.
Libraries are traditionally depicted as old buildings with just as old librarians. And those librarians are typically women shushing loud patrons from behind the desk where they protect and circulate their precious books.
While those elements can still exist in libraries today, they have become so much more.
Most likely, your local public library is a community hub that provides access to movies, television shows, video games, board games, technology, meeting spaces, and more.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, librarian employment opportunities are expected to grow by 9% between 2016-2026...which is 7% higher than the projected growth for 2014-2024, predicted in 2016 (source found via the WayBack Machine).
Now the question is, who do they plan to staff these librarian positions?
The answer depends on several variables: type, size, and location of the institution, to name a few (of which I will be covering in future blog posts).
Overall, I believe there a few core skills that can help demonstrate a modern librarian.
The American Library Association (ALA) also has some ideas about what makes up a modern librarian or as they refer to it, the Core Competences of Librarianship.
You might be thinking that the skills and knowledge needed for modern librarians demonstrated above are a bit vague. LIS is a multidisciplinary field, meaning that various academic backgrounds can be valuable.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, librarian employment opportunities are expected to grow by 9% between 2016-2026...which is 7% higher than the projected growth for 2014-2024, predicted in 2016 (source found via the WayBack Machine). Now the question is, who do they plan to staff these librarian positions?
The answer depends on several variables: type, size, and location of the institution, to name a few (of which I will be covering in future blog posts).
Overall, I believe there a few core skills that can help demonstrate a modern librarian.
1. En Trend
I think one of the most important aspects of being a modern librarian is to pay attention to societal trends. Trends can range from cult fads, like the fidget spinner, to keeping up with the latest technology hardware and software. One of the things that make libraries so great is the ability to grow and adapt to the world around them and is why librarians must stay up to date with new and emerging trends.
2. Information seeking
Whether a patron is looking for a specific book to read or a resource from a database, librarians often seek information. Librarians are also often the ones who teach individuals how to conduct a successful search. Therefore, they must be aware of search strategies that can be ever-changing with the technology we have today.
3. Teaching
Libraries are a place of learning, but many do not consider librarians as educators. As mentioned above, librarians help educate on how to search for information and other information literacy techniques. They also teach other useful skills such as gardening, crafts, health and wellness, and technology. Modern librarians must hold the values of lifelong learning for themselves and their patrons to help demonstrate the libraries role in the community.
If you have a keen interest in plants and gardening, you may be interested in a role that helps handle information for botanists and other biologists. If you come from a background of computer science you may want to purse an information technology department. Perhaps you love to read and help influence children or teenagers, you may want to work in a youth department at a public library. Projects and events also tend to be diverse since a librarians work depend on the members of their community. The options are practically endless!
Libraries today aren’t what they used to be. Thanks to the ever-adapting, modern librarians, libraries have continued to stay an essential part of communities across the world.
Libraries today aren’t what they used to be. Thanks to the ever-adapting, modern librarians, libraries have continued to stay an essential part of communities across the world.
Recommended Resources:
Interested in what it takes to become a modern librarian?
Stay tuned for upcoming blog posts!
If there is a specific topic that you would like me to focus on, please feel free to submit it through the feedback link below!
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