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Hopeful Time for Libraries

Filed under Economic Trends, Job Search Process, Job Search Process
Posted by Libraries, June 29, 2009
View all posts for June 2009

Despite the current state of the economy, Michael Casey and Michael Stephens, authors of the article The Transparent Library: Reasons for Optimism from Library Journal provide reasons for why they have an optimistic outlook for libraries.

They note that those librarians that are in tune with the economy are tailoring the services and resources they provide towards what they believe will be most useful to people. More of the programs being offered are geared towards training in basic skills and services, online job searching, and career related workshops.

Stephens also provides advice for Library Science graduates on what they can do to increase their chances for obtaining a job in this tough time.

• Make Issues Opportunities: View conditions affecting libraries from a critical standpoint and focus on providing inventive ways to handle them.

• Never Stop Learning: Graduates should not think that just because they have their degree that they have learned everything. Instead, they should take the skills they acquired in school to continue learning and master new ones.

• Be Curious: Curiosity is a characteristic that should definitely be emphasized. Do not hesitate to include this on your resume by stating something such as “I’m curious about how libraries and librarians can help change the world, one library user at a time.”

• Focus on the Heart: Remember that librarianship is a human-focused profession and that the goal should be to “help people achieve the best they can” regardless of what service or information that may involve.

Casey also adds that graduates should not only have ”a good philosophical understanding of the role and purpose of libraries but also [with] a solid working knowledge of customer service.” Being flexible and versatile is crucial and graduates should be prepared and not hesitate to take on tasks, no matter how mundane they may seem.

For more resources for Library and Information Science students and alumni, check out our LIS Career Guide, and the Career Resource Library’s eLibrary.

blogged by Tracy Vingo