[Publib] FW: Employment Laments

[Terri Bonow]

Laments of a Public Librarian:
 
I first off would like to apologize about the “laments” part of the focus of this essay, letter, and plea.  I have always tried to be a positive librarian, and in general I have a happy sunny disposition. I love library work and am dedicated to the profession.  But this last year has me wondering about the library profession I have chosen in which I been working in for 18 years. I need to express my rejections and ask other librarians why?  I wonder why it has been so very hard to get a full time job! I think I have been discriminated against and because of ageism, and being white.
 
I have spent a year trying to break in to the Public Library systems or in any librarian job in the Pacific Northwest with no easy road, or with much support professionally. I am an experienced, dedicated, and recommendable librarian. I have sent out over 50 resumes to various companies and libraries including: Microsoft, Boeing, King County Library System, Tacoma Public Library System, Art Institute of Seattle, Seattle Public, and many colleges and Universities in the area. Now any normal librarian would probably be thinking something is definitely wrong with their resume, cover letter, or interviewing skills, however I was stalwart and persistent because I had a great education at San Jose State Library School where I got good grades. I have had fantastic experience, varied skills from management, reference, special libraries, and archival skills, and I have good resume. My references I believe are behind me and have given me the nod of approval, and I have had successful jobs in different states before returning to my hometown, Seattle. Since I was a graduate from the University of Washington, I went to the career center and got career counseling, did mock interview, took classes, and attended job fairs to improve my chances.  Believe me my ego would slump each time after I would get an interview and then a rejection letter, e-mail, or call. It has been really horrid to have to go through the process of trying to get a job and never having any success or support in the process.  
 
Finally after 6 months I did get hired for a substitute (they called it Intermittent) position with Seattle Public Library and worked a hectic weekly schedule filling in at several branches in one day. I worked between 22-30 hours a week with no benefits and no pension fund. At my age pension in very important and I miss having it. The cost of living in Seattle is very high and on my wages I can not be independent and support myself.  I did like the mutability of jumping around and serving various communities with an excellent collections, and in the new “Libraries for All” the nation’s largest public Library renovation to date. The intermittent position lasts only 2 years and I have been not offered any alternative or full time employment even though I have been reliable and able. I wondered and was in awe at the community diversity, the art, and well thought out architecture of the branches. I was not selected to work in the Central Library’s Ram Koolhaus building.  But the branches were very stimulating and I did a great job keeping the questions answered at busy reference desks. Still I await an opportunity for full time work. I have interviewed for over 5 jobs at this system. It is extremely competitive to work in one of the most literate cities in the country. 
 
The George Bush administration, with proactive Librarian, Laura Bush acclaimed as a bright leader in the promotion of librarianship, has supported Institute of Museum and Library Services funding education and outreach for new librarians. According to the professional librarian’s library literature the aging librarians in the field need replacing. However, I have felt the cold chill of being discriminated against because of my age with the flooding of the librarian market of jobs with new tech savvy and eager librarians. I really felt I was competing with youth and multiculturalism. Being in my mid fifties and white offering valuable experience was not regarded but ignored by employers. Most of the jobs I had applied for were filled with younger and culturally diverse librarians. I do not resent other younger, multicultural librarians, I resent that various library managements who promoted nepotism, eager naive youth, and have over looked my skills, abilities and valuable experience. I am discouraged by the non inclusive feeling of these Northwest Libraries and am saddened by the lack of opportunities in a field I always thought was unbounded, full of opportunities, and limitless in job options. We are relocating due to job limited opportunities here. 
 
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