Susan Davis teaches a library-science class at Drexel, where enrollment in the program has grown more than threefold since 2000. Retirements are opening jobs for librarians.
The enrollment surge is at least partly the result of a report in Library Journal magazine, which suggested in May 2000 that two in five library directors were planning to retire by 2009. In June 2005, the Institute of Museum and Library Services in Washington responded by announcing $21 million in additional grants dedicated to recruiting and educating a new generation of librarians. Since 2003, the Free Library has received nearly $3.5 million in similar funds as part of the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian program.
Yup Library Journal told us that…
Too bad it doesn’t seem to be happening.
Hype…
It seems like people are believing the hype about the availability of jobs. These grads will be up for a rude awakening…
Yeah. My library’s cutting
Yeah. My library’s cutting about 15 people. My wife’s just cut 20-some. We’re at an interesting turning point, but in 10 years there’s only going to be a need for a handful of professional librarian programs per system.
Yeah, but…
You wrote: “We’re at an interesting turning point, but in 10 years there’s only going to be a need for a handful of professional librarian programs per system.”
Perhaps it is better to say: “We’re at an interesting turning point, but in 10 years there’s only going to be a need for a handful of professional librarian programs nationally.”
Creating a service academy for librarianship akin to West Point might be useful?
________________________
Stephen Michael Kellat, Host, LISTen
PGP KeyID: 899C131F
Retirements are opening jobs for librarians.
“Retirements are opening jobs for librarians.”
Where are these jobs? Because I know for a fact that most California Libraries are in a deep hiring freeze, and from what I’ve read here on this site, many Libraries, especially those back East are simply closing libraries or reducing services.
Hmmm…so what is really going on here?
>^..^<
Hype = money
Well, if someone is on a scholarship and they don’t have to pay a dime why not attend? For all the rest that have to pay, the hype is making them think that they will be able to get jobs-a-plenty (especially those well paid director jobs!) once things are on the upswing again.
I’ve said it before, I will say it again. Library Schools need to retool and restructure. Their current model isn’t working out well for the students. Sure they can get money from uninformed prospects but how long can that last?
Librarianship is changing – this is just life support for people who are failing to recognize it and move along with the times.
Jobs for Librarians
Don’t be too hard on LJ. The study was done in 2000. Lots of changes in technology, economy and libraries since that date.