[Publib] Re: jobs (and "old" librarians) or geezers v whippersnappers

[Robert L. Balliot]

First of all, current studies in geriatrics indicate that
the brain, in absence of organic maladies, gets better with
use into the sixties and beyond.  So, for the sake of the
profession as purveyors of information, the older brains
are better.  With use, that is. 

Second, the underlying issue that is creating so much friction
is the cost of health care.  I have had employees in their
seventies and up to their mid-eighties who worked basically to
pay for the medications they needed to stay alive.  If you
recall the story of the Marathon Library - their 'reason' for
cutting labor costs revolved around paying for increased 
health care premiums.

Almost everything in library school was devoted to getting a
job in a school, academic, or public library.  Even now, when
I get contacted to donate and attend graduate school functions, 
the key speakers invited for LIS gatherings are invariably 
librarians who preach to the choir.

There is no effective, collective marketing of the value of
the profession - only the value of the institutions.  This
needs to be turned around so that the underemployed and the
unemployed members of our profession will be valued. Bring
in the corporate executives.  Sell our profession.

The conflict between young and old and the social security
arguments are contrived economic arguments. They are designed
to distract us from addressing the real issues of health care 
and job growth.

*************************************************
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 John Fossett
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 8:50 PM
To: PUBLIB
Subject: RE: [Publib] Re: jobs (and "old" librarians)

Wow. What a tough crowd! 
Sure Hillary may not have shown the best judgment in candidly sharing her
frustration about trying to find a job as a librarian, but I would assume
older librarians would demonstrate their wisdom and maturity by offering
their knowledge in a less condescending way. I'll bet most of us haven't
tried to subsist on minimum wage for many, many years. Is this how you would
deal with a patron with whom you may disagree? 
Maybe we could use this as an opportunity to help someone instead of peering
over our reading glasses and scolding them for their youth and folly.
Just a thought,
John
Disclaimer: My organization and co-workers are unlikely to acknowledge my
existence, let alone share my opinions.

John F. Fossett
Media Librarian
Kitsap Regional Library
Sylvan Way Branch
1301 Sylvan Way
Bremerton, WA 98310
(360)405-9101
jfossett at krl.org

KRL Mission Statement
Kitsap Regional Library serves the community as a center for lifelong
learning and a steward of access to stories, information, and knowledge.


-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Diedre Conkling
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 3:37 PM
To: PUBLIB
Subject: Re: [Publib] Re: jobs (and "old" librarians)

Of course for many of us the retirement age to receive full social security
benefits is between 66 and 67.  It is no longer 65.
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/retirement/

That couple of years does make a difference in the job market.  The economic
climate makes a difference.  And the mass retirement of "baby boomers" was
predicted for almost every profession, including libraries, before the
economic changes and the increase in the retirement age.  So far this mass
exodus has not held true for most, if any profession.

And we all have or will be putting in lots of money to FICA, Medicare, and
individual retirement programs.  

I think that generalizations about people on almost any subject seldom hold
true.


--
Diedre Conkling
     
  Lincoln County Library District
  P.O. Box 2027, Newport, OR  97365
  Phone & Fax:  541-265-3066
  http://lcld.library-blogs.net/
  Work:  diedre at beachbooks.org
  Home:  diedrec at charter.net
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