Well, I have not been flamed in a while, so I guess it is time for me to say something controversial. I agree with Paul and others who say that people don't understand what we do. I believe that our users don't perceive any difference between the professional librarians, the clerical workers, and (in law schools) the student workers. This is in my opinion one of the most serious problems facing the profession today, since many other difficulties rest on this foundation.
Some of the difficulties that we encounter due to lack of recognition and appreciation include low salaries, downsizing, and lack of status generally. Many people think that librarians check out books, put on labels, etc. Research is considered to be something that is done by people in the marketing department who have M.B.A. degrees.
I think that the solution is to work to enhance our professional image. That is why I suggested a certification program a few months ago. I don't want to revisit that argument, but I do believe that we need to get rid of a number of stereotypes. However, I do think that our profession is not going to go away. Our services are too vital.
Bryan M. Carson, J.D., M.I.L.S.
Reference/Computer Services Librarian
Hamline University Law Library
1536 Hewitt Avenue
St Paul, Minnesota 55104
Phone: 612-523-2063
Fax: 612-523-2435 / 2236
bcarson@gw.hamline.edu
http://www.hamline.edu/~bmcarson
*********************************************************************
"Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves,
or we know where we can find information upon it."
--Samuel Johnson
*********************************************************************
All opinions expressed are my own and not my employer's.
All original content (c) 1997 Bryan M. Carson. All rights
reserved.
>>> "Paul Healey" <Phealey@thurgood.wmitchell.edu> 12/17/97 3:44:26 PM >>>
> I mean no offense to the original poster, but I find it highly
> ironic that the link provided did not work. In order to find this
> article we had to seach on Lexis.
> To me this illustrates why we "search pros" will never be out of
> work.
I agree with Joyce. The excellent "Internet Librarian '97"
conference last month in Monterey, CA was practically dominated by
discussion and exploration of search engines and the problems
inherent in finding and providing users with relevant information on
the net. The underlying message was quite clear: The web is
analogous to an infinite warehouse full of books in random order and
without a catalog. Not only will users of the Internet need
information professionals (i.e. librarians), but they will need them
more rather than less.
I have read several "librarianship is dead" articles like the one
metioned in this thread. In my opinion the people who write them do
not understand what librarians really do, and mistake superficial
behaviors (like labelling books or saying "SHHHH!") with the
underlying professional librarian skills of organizing useful
information and helping users find and interact with the information
they need.
Just my thoughts....
Paul D. Healey, M.A.(LIS), J.D.
Reference/Electronic Services Librarian
William Mitchell College of Law
871 Summit Ave. St. Paul, MN 55105
Phone: 612.290.6306 Fax: 612.290.6318
e-mail: phealey@wmitchell.edu
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