Transcript The Information Society

Information Careers
LS 501: Introduction to
Library & Information Studies
Revised Summer 2006, 2010, 2011
C.2003, Deborah J. Grimes
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Working Conditions for Librarians
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Significant amount of time at desks & computer terminals (eyestrain,
headaches, CTS)
Variety of library users need assistance requires and patience and
good “reference interview” skills
Smaller libraries -- more breadth in daily tasks and responsibilities;
larger libraries -- more depth in daily tasks and responsibilities
School librarians -- same weekday schedule and holidays as students
Special librarians -- same schedule and holidays as business/industry
(but may work longer hours during peak periods)
Public and academic librarians -- often work weekends, evenings,
holidays
Some physical work necessary in most positions; some tedium and
details; much bureaucracy (at organization level) but autonomy (at
individual level)
More than 20% librarians work part-time
Rapid technological change at the present
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Degree Requirements for
Librarians
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Professional positions generally require Master’s
degree in librarianship, library science, library studies,
information studies, etc.
Minimum requirement for some positions may be
Master’s in any field with 18 hours in library studies;
school library positions vary and sometimes require
teaching certification.
Special librarians and subject bibliographers often
need additional graduate or professional degree -- or
no library degree at all!
Ph.D. is often required for library educators, top
administrative jobs in colleges, universities, or large
library systems.
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Is the MLS a legitimate credential?
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Cottam points out that exceptions to the “rule” do not challenge the
MLS as a legitimate credential and that the few who wish to do library
work without the credential do not threaten the profession.
But what is the public perception of the work and the job of a librarian?
Do credentials help explain librarians’ roles to the public?
Other librarians consider it legitimate and a minimum qualification (and
who hires & reviews applications?).
MLS considered to be minimum qualification for most academic
libraries (see ACRL minimum competencies and statement on MLS)
MLS affects promotion and rank, particularly at academic institutions
with faculty status for librarians
When considering jobs and positions: what really matters are the
requirements of the library and/or institution with the job
P.S. Only one Librarian of Congress has had a library degree (L.
Quincy Mumford, BS, Columbia University, 1929)
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Currently 159,900 librarians at work
Job Outlook for Librarians,
Occupational Outlook Handbook , 2010-11 ed.
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Employment is expected to grow as quickly as average rate in other
jobs through 2018 (about 8%), but retirement of large numbers of
librarians will lead to need for replacements.
 More than 3 in 5 librarians are aged 45 or older and will become
eligible for retirement in the next 10 years.
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OTOH, systems librarians will be needed, along with librarians who
can use technology to meet user needs.
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There will be more competition for jobs in large metropolitan areas and
less competition in rural areas.
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59% jobs will be in public and private educational institutions; 27% will
be with local governments
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“The Boomer Brain Drain:
The Last of a Generation”
Published in Library Journal (May 1, 2000), pp. 38-43, by Evan St.Lifer (AVL)
Why, then are recent grads still finding boomers holding onto their jobs?
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How to Locate Library Jobs
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UA SLIS Placement Materials
Chronicle of Higher Education (Academe Today at
http://www.chronicle.com
ALA online (plus placement center at conferences)
Library Journal (print and online)
ALLA -- http://allanet.org/www/employment.htm
APLS -- http://www.apls.state.al.us/webpages/news/jobs.htm
Libraryjobs -- http://www.libraryjobpostings.org/
Special libraries -- http://www.ibiblio.org/slanews/jobs/jobs.html
Lib Jobs -- http://www.libjobs.com/
UIUC Library School site -http://alexia.lis.uiuc.edu/gslis/resources/jobs.html
Local newspapers, school boards, listservs, etc.
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Salaries for Librarians
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Number of Placements and Full-Time
Salaries of 2009 US Graduates (by Region)
Region
No.Jobs
Low
High
Average
Median
Women
Men
Women
Men
Women
Men
ALL
NE
299
$15,600
$18,000
$104,000
$70,000
$42,101
$37,695
$42K
SE
250
$13,104
$15,000
$75,000
$72,500
$39,622
$38,068
$39K
MW
321
$12,000
$18,720
$82,000
$112,500
$38,965
$44,999
$38.2K
SW
121
$15,000
$25,000
$85,000
$88,000
$41,921
$46,980
$41K
West
154
$20,000
$30,500
$95,000
$98,000
$48,170
$56,251
$46K
Internat’l
24
$22,000
$32,000
$80,000
$61,400
$45,716
$47,133
$48K
Combined
1220
$12,000
$15,000
$104,100
$112,500
$41,514
$44,945
$40K
Why the differences?
From ALA Annual Survey, pub.in Library Journal, October 1, 2010
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Alabama Graduates/Employed, 2008*
Graduates
Employed
Women
Men
Total
Women
Men
Total
UA
72
25
97
8
5
13
Total
4098
1061
5192
1343
320
1666
From ALA Annual Survey, pub.in Library Journal, October 2, 2010
*Probably due to number responding – So please respond when you get the
survey!
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Salaries for Librarians
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Occupational Outlook Handbook , updated 12/09
(http://www.bls.govocc/print/ocos069.htm)
“In fact a few simple
mathematical
calculations
OOH Earnings in 2008
reveal that if reference
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Median earnings = $52,530
Middle 50% = $42,240 and $65,300
Lowest 10% < $33,190
Highest 10% > $81,130
librarians were paid at market
rates for all the roles they play,
they would have salaries well
over $200,000."
Will Manley in The Truth About
Reference Librarians, McFarland,
1996, p. 30.
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Median annual earnings where most librarians are
employed
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Elementary/secondary schools = $54,050
Junior Colleges = $55,250
Colleges & universities = $55,180
Local government = $54,650
Other information services = $40,000
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Salaries/Placements for
Librarians
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Annual Salary Survey in Library Journal (October issue)
Salaries increased fastest in MW and esp. SW, chiefly in academic
and vendor positions
Average starting salary LIS grads in 2008 gained by 1.5% to
$42,215
But unemployment was reported 7.8% higher (with length of search
averaging 5 months) with grads down 7%
 Hiring freezes, mandated furloughs, budgets
 More placements outside libraries than previous years (41%)
Gender gap and glass ceiling increases, esp. minority women
22.8% in part-time positions
44.6% graduates returned to their current jobs
Location matters -- higher average salaries in West ($50,343 or 16%
higher); placements decreased in SE by 10% with 8.5%
unemployment
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Advancement in the Field
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Experience
Additional education, degree, training
Publications, presentations (especially academic
librarians)
Special skills (especially computer skills), foreign
language abilities
Willingness to relocate
Networking
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Where else can your MLS take you?
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Information specialist for government officials or city management
Associate Product Manager, eBay (Nancy Firchow)
Librarian, Johnson Publishing Company, Chicago
Librarian, Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences
Digital Librarian, Anti-Defamation League, NYC
Librarian, The Freedom Forum, Washington, DC
Project Manager, Zimmerman Associates, Washington, DC (digitizing
historical collection of US Mint)
Library school professor (with doctorate)
Tribal libraries and educational programs
“Answer Lady,” Facts for Fiction (verifying info. for authors)
Archivists, curators, museum technicians
Information industry jobs (publishers, jobbers, systems vendors, etc.)
Information brokers
Information architect
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Let’s Revisit: Is Librarianship a
Profession?
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Characteristics of a profession (mostly from Goode)
 Autonomy -- individual choice in standards of
excellence; judged by peers not outsiders;
accountability
 Professional associations
 Higher incomes than other workers
 Prolonged specialized training
 Code of ethics
 Body of knowledge, ongoing research attached to
learning and philosophy in the field
 Service orientation (client’s needs more imp. Than
self-interest)
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Let’s Revisit: Is Librarianship a
Profession?
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Continued: Characteristics of a profession (mostly
from Goode)
 Making sacrifices (pro bono work, risking life or
other things)
 Time and money is spent on recruiting superior
candidates and better training.
 Elite members know what to do (ethics, service,
lobbying, curricula, fund-raising, research, image).
 Public must believe and be aware that there is a
specialized body of knowledge.
 ‘Backstage’ activities more important than what the
public sees.
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Is Librarianship a Profession?
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Continued: Characteristics of a profession (mostly
from Goode)
 Rise to administrative levels later in careers
 Understanding of client’s needs rather than wants
(puts their good first); decisions are made by the
professional and not by the client
 Little competition -- distinct function?
 Hierarchy within the field (Robbins)
 Degree to which perceived as public good (i.e. high
social value)
Trade
Continuum
Profession
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What Do You Think?
CLASS EXERCISE:
Is the MLS DOA?
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