Webster defines librarian as a specialist in the care or management of a library. Pretty vague huh? It defines libary as a place in which literary, musical, artistic, or reference materials are kept for use but not for sale. Most people define librarian as a person who loves to read, wears her hair back in a bun, wears glasses and walks around with her finger over her mouth to keep everyone quiet. The most common reaction I get when I tell people I'm a librarian is, "you like to read, don't you?" Yes, I love to read, but that was a trait long before I became a librarian.
I define my job as a librarian as the liason between information and the person who needs it, I am a teacher, a motivator and an advisor. My career began in a small public library in Arkansas where I served as the library manager, reference clerk, circulation clerk, public relations specialist and janitor. It was there I learned that I was just a paraprofessional and that to be a librarian I needed a graduate degree in library and information services/studies. It was there I fell in love with my work in the library and I knew this was the career for me. I always wanted to be a teacher, but once didn't want the stress or the meager salary. I would later learn that librarians don't fair much better in the salary department.:)
So when I moved to Oklahoma City, I immediately began thinking about applying to graduate school at OU. It took three years, but I earned my MLIS and am now an offical librarian! Thankfully, I toughed it out because when I began to look for jobs out of state I met the requirement of having my MLIS from an accredited university. I am now employed at the wonderful Northwest Mississippi Community College. I am part of the faculty, so I have the opportunity to teach students how to use the library and its resources. Although some of students sit through the classes with their eyes glazed over, there are some who are genuinely interested and that makes it worthwhile.
Being a libarian has exposed me to all types of information. I am the cataloger for NWCC and that means every book that is added to our collection comes across my desk. I have learned so much in this capacity and things I would have never known or heard of, I have because of my chosen profession. Teaching classes keeps me grounded, not everyone thinks highly of the library. Helping students keeps me enlightened. I have the opportunity to learn their frustrations with using our resources. Choosing material for the library keeps me informed, there is actually a book about this?! :)
So to all of you who think libraries are quiet and librarians are books worm I beg to differ. We are as diverse as our collections and the communities we serve.
2 comments:
I love our work. Just yesterday I spent my time teaching not only the students about resources we have but the professor, too. I get such a wonderful energy when I can help people understand how to use the resources or even just to find a book on the shelf.
I think the community college venue is wonderful. I just wish our mutual friend would find a job away from where she is. She has such great talents that are wasting away. When the other local community college advertised for the position of cataloger I sent her the info but because of the difference in benefits she felt she couldn't apply.
I just know she would love being able to order materials, do reference again and even the teaching would hold a charm for her. Maybe when the boys are on their own the job will come available again and she'll take it.
Rub it in, rub it in! Enjoy your cushy post and walls and a door while I inhale black gunk from the vents and knock my knees on my ancient wooden desk! ;-)
I know, Pastgrace, I need to get my butt in gear and find something else, but I really like the hours. I'm still thinking about staging some kind of coup! And the NW library may be just what I'm looking for, eventually, if and when the evil creature who haunts our nightmares ever retires (or gets hit by a bus).
LoonieC, you know who I'm talking about!
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