Anonymous Patron writes “More bad news out of the Jacksonville, FL public library system. To save money on professional librarians, Mayor Peyton wants to hire “smart college graduates” to work as librarians, and part-time librarians, to save on staff expenditures and benefits:
“The second part of the study looked at the mix of employees. The study suggests the city could save money by hiring fewer librarians with graduate degrees, which would mean lower salaries and benefits costs. That could mean hiring more “smart college graduates” and part-time employees, which is something Nashville library officials do, to keep up the service for library users.
The study also questions Jacksonville’s need for 111 employees who don’t provide a direct service to customers. It said the number seems high when compared to Nashville.”
Entire story here:
Para-staff in place of librarians
I’m always surprised to see the perception that so much money will be saved by hiring non-MLS people for “librarian” jobs. It might be true if librarians weren’t down at the bottom in salaries of professions requiring advanced degrees.
I think our professional organizations should be like the organizations supporting other professions and lobby for some recognition and adequate pay so someone controling purse strings knows what librarians do. Instead, they take our dues and rush out to battle social issue windmills.
I left ALA a long time ago
Social issues are very important, but, what if there are no longer librarians to join?
Well, they are the American LIBRARY Association, not librarians’ association.
smart college students?
I’m a smart college student – 3.6 grade point while working full time and raising two teenagers. I will be a librarian someday. I am not qualified to assist others in research (except my kids). I would be very disturbed to find that a so-called smart college student was my librarian! Another decision made by those who are in charge with no knowlege, lets send them a librarian to help them with their research into cost cutting!
As a college student, I know firt had many students do not know how to use the library. They head for the internet, it the info they need is not at their finger tips they think it dosn’t exist. Many do not want to put the the slight effort it takes to find accurate inf, it shows in their research.
Look to the future
Just remember, the day will come when Florida’s pet dolt will want to run for President too. Keep this stuff in mind when it happens because if he’ll treat his state this way he’ll do the same to the country.
Re:Para-staff in place of librarians
Way back when that was exactly what Dr. Charles C. Williamson wrote in his foundational report Training for Library Service that ALA should do. Dr. Williamson also advocated a system of licensure much akin to doctors and lawyers for librarians. We did not quite get such, though.
Re:smart college students?
Books are wonderful things. The Internet does not solve all problems. Here in library school is a case in which a good portion of us have to mix using all sorts of sources in our work. But to completely disavow using books? No. No quite. The Internet can never have the same treasure troves of information books have.