life in libraryland
DESCRIPTION
This is the presentation I give to 8th graders each year at their Career Fair. It describes what librarians do and what the work conditions are like.TRANSCRIPT
Life in Libraryland
What do Librarians do?
• Answer Questions• Buy Books, CDs, DVDs,
Magazines, Audio Books, etc.
• Weed Books• Design Web Pages• Catalog• Create booklists and
flyers• Plan Programs• Represent the Library in
the Community• Network with other
Librarians • Research
• Teach people how to access the Internet
• Teach people how to use the Library
• Give talks to groups• Book Talks• Blog• Organize Materials• Make Policy• Work with Boards• Supervise other people • Write Grants
School Subjects
"One of the great joys of being a librarian is that it is the last refuge of the renaissance person - everything you have ever read or learned or picked up is likely to come in handy."- GraceAnne A. DeCandido, Ten Graces for New Librarians
Education
Masters Degree in Library Science (High School + College + Grad School) Wayne State University University of MichiganVarious schools offer Online Degrees
Library Technician Degree (High School + Community College)Oakland Community College
Media Specialist (High School + College with a Teaching Degree + Grad School)
School Library
Elementary, middle, or high school
Public
Academic
• College or University
Special
Industry (SAPPI or Howmet)Medical (Hackley or Mercy-General)Government/LawMedia (CNN or CBS)MusicDatabase VendorsIndexing
Working Conditions
Hours
Buildings can be old:
Or New
Stress?
Connected to Other Librarians?
Salaries
• Entry Level: $20/hour or $40,000 per year
• Directors: +$70,000
• Health Insurance• Pension• Paid Holidays• Vacation
Benefits
Advancement
• Librarian I
• Librarian II
Personal Qualities
• Curiosity• Friendliness• Creativity• Patience• Good Listener
• Tenacious• Responsible• Flexible• Quick Thinker• Good
Communication Skills
Types of Librarians
YouthReferenceTechnical ServicesGovernment DocumentsAdministration
Advice
• Be Curious
• Read a lot about a lot
• Read about things you like
• Take classes in lots of different subjects
• Learn about computers
• Read some more
• Think hard about what you really like to do, then find a career that lets you do it.