[Publib] "entry level" positions

[Sharon Foster]

I started the program in January 2006, and I think my class was
painted a realistic picture of the job market at that time. We were
told that the more willing we were to move, the more likely we would
find a full-time job after graduation. The more tied we were to our
current location, the harder it was going to be to find a job. I was
lucky. I only had to pick up and move 200 miles for my first FT job,
still within driving distance of home. Some of my classmates are still
looking, a year or more after graduating. Anyone who was already
working in a library, is still, as far as I know.

I've been studiously reading the job postings nationally for the last
4 years, and the only real entry-level jobs I see in public libraries
are for children/youth/teen librarians. I define "entry-level" as
being a job that one can qualify for with only the MLS and some (but
not necessarily a lot of) previous work experience. "Director," even
of a small library, is not an entry level job in my definition,
although that might have been true at one time, and may still be true
in some locations.

The public library scene is changing dramatically, and in ways that
have nothing to do with the current economic crisis. Small towns are
getting hip to the fact that they don't really need more than one
degree'd librarian (if that) to supervise a staff of 9 FTEs, none of
whom are "department heads," because there are no departments except
children/youth.

Sharon M. Foster, JD, MLS
Technology Librarian
http://firstgentrekkie.blogspot.com/
"Have you tried switching it off and on again?"