Recruiting the Next Generation of News Librarians (.pdf)
I wrote that I’d blog Amy Disch’s article Recruiting the Next Generation of News Librarians (.pdf) on pages 9 and 17 of the Spring 2004 issue of News Library News, so here it is. …
… First of all, I think anyone who’s a news librarian who wants to spread the word about our profession should read Amy’s article. Yes, it’s that important and it’s that good. Amy presents some really good ideas about attracting others to what we do. And I’m not just praising her because she reads my blog, either. She writes about a serious problem. …
May 21st, 2004 at 4:02 pm
Picking up on a theme from the posting “Recruiting the Next Generation of News Librarians:” I agree absolutely with my pal, J. Most students embarking on the MLS/MLIS don’t have a CLUE what sorts of jobs are out there in the bushes. Most go in, in my experience, thinking generic “public service,” “academic library,” “archives” etc. Additionally, since many of these students are switching careers or struggling to pay for school, many work full-time (perhaps not even IN a library - or maybe just in the library at their school). There are ALL kinds of jobs out there. I was “fortunate” to find a news library job early in grad school (1993) and THEN to get laid off. This gave me the “opportunity” to work for a library software company for about 18 months. During that unpleasant time (no knock on the library software industry, more on particulars of my experience within it), I managed to visit different kinds of libraries all over this hemisphere. It certainly broadened my horizons and gave me a much greater appreciation of the vast scope of “library” jobs out there. I eventually returned to news librarianship and have been here since 1995. However, nothing in this world is permanent. I am now a hardcore believer in visiting libraries (even for an hour or two) and talking with all kinds of librarians as an integral part of the library school and professional experience. We also host students for the Boston Chapter, SLA’s Day on the Job program. I am also not averse to inviting people I meet (between jobs or just curious librarians) to visit my library. If you are a library science student, take advantage of ANY opportunity to visit ANY kind of library. Talk to the people who work there, find out what they do, how they do it, what role they play in their larger organization and how they found their way to that job. If you are a practicing librarian, find a way to offer some time to library science students seeking exposure and mentoring. The benefits go both ways.
May 26th, 2004 at 12:54 am
Amen, Alan! What a great comment! I couldn’t have said it better.
What Alan didn’t say is that for a while, he was the Special Libraries Association Boston Chapter liaison with LIS students, which means he used to coordinate the Day on the Job program and other activities to bring students and real, live working professionals together. He did an excellent job. One of his coworkers coordinates a mentor program for a professional association conference, another great way to connect students and professionals together.