[Publib] Re: Jobs????

[Robert L. Balliot]

Greetings,

I am not sure how important skills or experience is
to landing a job in a library.  I have seen people
with current skills and great potential denied jobs 
because they had current skills and great potential.
Without bringing in fresh, dynamic talent and turnover
there is no innovation. Without keeping up with current
information trends and possibilities, the libraries
stagnate.  

I recall being solicited by friends several years
ago about an acquaintance who they thought would be
perfect to work in a library.  According to them, the 
person liked books and liked to read a lot, but 
did not like interacting with people.  

They were serious.  

There was always tremendous potential for real job growth
in libraries from the beginning of the information
age. However,  librarians never effectively marketed
their information skills.  Without demand for
our professional skills outside of libraries, shrinking
libraries are the only place to work.  Without demand
for librarians in other non-traditional venues, no
one has the opportunity to leave.  Ever.  

How many corporate executives consider professional library
skills valuable to their companies?  How many have even 
thought about recruiting librarians to manage information 
resources?  The skills being taught in graduate school
should match labor demands - not just in traditional
library settings - but also in for-profit settings. And,
the library schools must sell the value of those skills
beyond the library settings.


*************************************************
Robert L. Balliot
Skype: RBalliot
Bristol, Rhode Island
http://oceanstatelibrarian.com/contact.htm
*************************************************

-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of jedemas at 1scom.net
Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2008 5:48 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] Re: Jobs????

I agree with the sentiment of getting as much experience as possible  
before getting your degree and with being flexible as possible.  I  
also believe that you have to go into any new profession with your  
eyes open and do lots of research.