Comments on: Are We in the Midst of a Lost Generation of Librarians?

By: THE ANCIENT LIBRARIAN

THE ANCIENT LIBRARIAN — Wed, 01 May 2013 11:22:09 +0000

I really appreciate your advice!

I am a Veteran of the United States Armed Forces. Therefore, it is time to move on, and establish a new career, and/or use my present skills in a different environment.

In April, I visited the Department of Veteran Affairs in the Federal Building, and was surprised by the number of benefits available to Vets. I’ve applied for additional schooling and retraining, and awaiting approval, which takes about four weeks.

Lastly, I live in L.A., and am amazed by the number of schools that don’t offer Library Science.

NAMASTE’

By: Heather

Heather — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 20:27:53 +0000

I’m stuck too. I’m a librarian for a small tech college that will be closing in about a year. So far, I haven’t found another job after searching for about half a year. It’s downright depressing as I have so many people making job suggestions for me and the jobs are either something that requires another degree or masters or something I have no training or interest in. I’m great at research (I worked as a researcher for the small business development center). I was a great Adult reference and YA librarian (or at least my bosses always made me feel like I knew what I was doing).

I know it’s probably too soon to stress out, but it took me about two years to find another job after getting a little burned out in the public library.

I can’t relocate now as most of the jobs in my husband’s field are in this area.

By: Cynthia

Cynthia — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 13:04:29 +0000

I know that you are crushed, but you at least have many MLIS graduate students, like me, who are in the same boat. In our Academic Library class, one of our class projects was to survey the job market for academic librarian positions. Not one of us could find an entry level position. The professor finally chimed in that the project confirmed his evaluation that something was amiss. The libraries do not need the new MLIS graduates. The open job positions required (and these were not preferences) a minimum of 2 to 8 years of experience, usually a second masters or intent to earn a PhD, “proven” advancement in your library career, “proven” several years teaching either info literacy classes or other college level classes, etc. etc. The job descriptions often read like a request for a highly skilled professor with an MLIS tacked on. Yes, I am still looking for a library position, but I seriously doubt that I will find one. I am now almost finished with a masters in education and I am also eyeing those overseas teaching jobs. I even interviewed with a school in Asia over Skype. It is sad that while I can’t even get as far as an interview for a library job while holding an MLIS, the education field is looking at my abilities and resume and has welcomed me into its ranks as a beginner without having completed a degree in education.

By: pattylibrarian

pattylibrarian — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 13:22:13 +0000

I hope I don’t end up eating words or putting you into a mountain of debt you can’t get out of but I think you in particular should get you MLIS. Having experience in a legal setting will make you very desirable working in a law firm, law academic or public law library. I worked part-time as law cataloger during my MLIS and it totally helped me find a job. All three of my jobs offers involved law libraries, law is specialty library and not one many librarians can get a job in because it requires a JD but since you worked as legal secretary you won’t have to do that, I didn’t.

By: THE ANCIENT LIBRARIAN

THE ANCIENT LIBRARIAN — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 09:09:19 +0000

WOW! I’ve worked as a legal secretary for 27 years, but have found myself in the midst of cutbacks and layoffs. I considered returning to school to study Library Science. After reading this article and the responses, perhaps I’ll reconsider!

By: MOOC: Learn Something New Today & Become a Librarian Tomorrow | Sarah Deringer

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:47:45 +0000

[...] new library graduates being lost when it comes to opportunities? The topic mentioned a blog post Are We in the Midst of a Lost Generation of Librarians? by AgnosticMaybe, which discusses the potential loss of a generation of job-seeking librarians due [...]

By: Annie Miller

Annie Miller — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 14:31:56 +0000

I received my degree 2 years ago and am now working a couple of part-time library jobs. I agree that my inability to relocate has been a big factor as well as my – second career – age. One big challenge is keeping up with professional training. If I want to be open to careers beyond my degree, how do I decide where to commit scarce resources of time and money? The best training in the wrong area is not useful on a resume. It is also difficult to stay active in professional organizations when my daily experience is not the same as that of my colleagues. Even my schedule makes it tough, since I am often working when my collegues are available for meetings. I don’t know that I am “lost”, but I am having to navigate a very different world from the one library school lead me to expect.

By: Reflections on Job Hunting « Amy's Scrap Bag: A Blog About Libraries, Archives, and History

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 15:36:09 +0000

[...] adults helps to ensure future generations of workers have experienced leaders. Otherwise we have the lost generation Andy speaks of in his library-themed blog, Agnostic, Maybe, in all [...]

By: Alex Watkins

Alex Watkins — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 21:30:11 +0000

While I have to agree with the premise of this article, many newly minted grads cannot find work anytime soon after graduating, and their careers will certainly be set back.

I don’t think this necessary reflects badly on the future of libraries or librarianship as a career. On the contrary Libraries that are hiring have their pick of highly qualified, motivated, innovative, and just all around good candidates to hire. Librarianship is increasingly a first choice/dream career for many. These are good signs and I think these very talented individuals will help continue the transformation that libraries are undergoing.

While I think the lack of jobs has eased, especially as state and local government budgets have recovered, I don’t think we will ever have enough positions for all people graduatinng from MLS degrees.This is partially the fault of schools producing more graduates than the market can handle, some of whom have no hope of landing a job. Some answers: admit fewer students, make library school harder, more competitive, the job market already is, so better to prepare students properly.

By: A. McColley

A. McColley — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 18:06:46 +0000

Timing is a huge part of landing a professional Librarian position. I hate to call it luck, but sometimes it just is. Willingness or ability to move (around the country) is an advantage, as is willingness to take less pay, or work in a different area than expected, in the beginning. I feel a library degree is beneficial in many different careers because it shows that librarians are technologically savvy, intelligent and dedicated information champions who know how to manage institutions of learning, supervise a work force, and enable people from all walks of life to enrich and improve their lives. So, no, I don’t agree that we are in the midst of a lost generation of librarians.