Will the True Number of Librarians Please Stand Up?
I had just settled down to read the blogs and wake up to my morning coke when I read on Peter Scott's Library Blog that the Institute of Museum and Library Services announced $21,087,684 in grants to 37 universities, libraries, and library organizations to recruit and educate a new generation of librarians. This is intended help "offset a current shortage of school library media specialists, library school faculty, and librarians working in underserved communities, as well a looming shortage of library directors and other senior librarians who are expected to retire in the next 20 years."
The Institute of Museum and Library Services says there is a current and impending shortage librarians based on a reports in Library Journal (May 2000), the Monthly Labor Review (July 200), and American Libraries (March 2002). The reports indicate that 40% of America's library directors plan to retire in 9 years or less and almost 58% of professional librarians will reach the age of 65 between 2005 and 2019.
However, I am totally confused...
In my May 9 2005 blog I referenced an article in Library Journal (May 2005), The Entry Level Gap that determined there was no librarian shortage and actually it is more difficult for new graduates to find librarian jobs.
First Paragraph from The Entry Level Gap:
"Data from the library job market and mounting anecdotal evidence show that there is cause for alarm. The number of full-time, professional positions in libraries is dwindling, salaries continue to be depressed, more entry-level positions are being liquidated or "deprofessionalized," and qualified job seekers are having trouble securing work. Meanwhile, an industry wide MLS recruitment drive is in full swing, ensuring another large crop of graduates will be spilled out into the job market each year. Even with this bumper crop of new professionals, library administrators complain about the lack of qualified applicants for available positions."
According to the authors, Rachel Holt and Adrienne Strock, ALA reports there will be 41,000 job openings due to growth and replacement between 2000-2010. However, there are also approximately 5,000 new library graduates each year. So over that 10 year period there will be 50,000 new library grads for the 41,000 jobs. Using those numbers means we actually have a surplus of librarians not a shortage!
Additionally, Holt and Strock discovered evidence that suggests that new grads are not getting hired for the entry level jobs (necessary to gain experience) and a growing number of libraries are hiring MLS graduates for non-MLS positions.
So who is right?! Is there a short of library jobs? Do we need to educate, train, and hire a lot more librarians to replace those retiring? Or are we promoting a myth and the reality is that we are over populated with librarians?
4 Comments:
There is no shortage of librarians. There is a shortage of librarians willing to get a teaching certificate in addition to their MLS.
The "shortage" is being caused by this ridiculous requirement which benefits only the teacher's unions. Why they are allowed to get away with it, I don't know.
I don't quite understand the anonymous comment asking about getting a teaching credential? I am guessing it refers to school librarians (media center specialists some call them), but those have to get a teaching license anyhow since they are teachers like the rest of the faculty in a school. As for public or academic librarians, they don't need such a requirement, though, as a teacher myself who did have teaching credentials at one point (I was a public school teacher at one point, then moved to higher ed), the experience helps. it especially helps if you want an instruction type of position. I think anonymous needs to become a little more informed.
As for the overall shortage, as portrayed by ALA, it is pretty much a myth from the looks of it. There are many reasons for that which can be found in the literature, albeit in a very sporadic nature.
By the way, found your blog through a comment you made at exploded library. I will have to take a better look; it looks interesting.
Angel, I never "asked" about getting a teaching credential. I stated that it's ridiculous that a school librarian is required to have a teaching certificate. It doesn't surprise me that you would miss the point entirely - you were a teacher before you were a librarian. You are biased.
As for the fact that other types of libraians do not need a teaching credential - well, thank you Dr. Obvious.
Last, I made the point because this is one reason why some see a glut and others don't. Everywhere you go they are begging for school librarians. That seems to indicate a shortage. Meanwhile public librarians can barely sell their skills for $12/hour. That seems to indicate a glut. Get it?
Jerk.
Anonymous said: "The "shortage" is being caused by this ridiculous requirement which benefits only the teacher's unions"
There are many fields that require one to have a license. Why must teaching children at a public and private school be an exception?
Why are the requirements ridiculous? One piece of paper? Just take the one hour test and get certified in the subject. If you complete the MLS degree, with a little preparation in educational media, you should have no problems passing the small exam. Teacher certification ensures that public school instructors have meet national and state guidelines regarding information literacy, knowledge of curriculum/instruction, and education fundamentals. An MLS degree alone does not fully prepare an individual to teach in a secondary school environment. An ALA MLS curriculum does a good job though. An added educational media credential enhances knowledge of child literacy development and skills pertaining to the school library media center.
There are many routes that one may enter in order to earn a teaching certificate. Often, depending on state and county regulations, you could enter an alternate route and start working as a school librarian without teacher certificate. Heck, you don't even need an MLS degree to work as a school librarian. A bachelors in basketweaving would suffice along with certification in educational media .
Anonymous said: "Angel, I never "asked" about getting a teaching credential. I stated that it's ridiculous that a school librarian is required to have a teaching certificate"
-- Actually you did and implied. You said; "Why they are allowed to get away with it?". By complaining about the "ridiculous requirements", you wanted someone to respond to you.
Anonymous said: "As for the fact that other types of libraians do not need a teaching credential - well, thank you Dr. Obvious."
-- If a librarian is to teach at a public school, then you will eventually need one.
Anonymous said: "Everywhere you go they are begging for school librarians"
-- Where exactly is this everywhere? Who is begging? Have you done the research or observation to substantiate your claims?
Anonymous said: "That seems to indicate a shortage"
-- No. What you said was unfounded hyperbole.
Anonymous said: "Meanwhile public librarians can barely sell their skills for $12/hour. Get it?"
-- Librarians bring a lot of much needed skills to many career
sub-fields in criminal justice,information technology,teaching,intelligence,
higher education, public administration, law, and more. The "librarian who can't "sell their skills" may not be looking for opportunities hard enough.
Anonymous: "That seems to indicate a glut"
-- No. There are people who choose not go the library science route. I have known individuals with MLS degrees who have chosen to go the "non-librarian" route. One of them is a doctoral student in the field of education and teaching. She is wonderful at winning grants :). Another is working in marketing and public relations for a community college. These people have skills that were enhanced by their MLS experiences and studies.
Anonymous: "Get it?"
- I got it. You seem to be a disguntled librarian, library employee, or unsatisfied in your current job. What ever reasons you may have, I do not want you teaching my kids or any child for that matter.
Anonymous said: "Jerk"
Im sure the teachers union would highly approve of you.
Final comments --
Teachers and librarians kiss and make up. Stop bitching and get the damn certificate. Ok. Im through basterdizing and killing time, im off to drink some rich chocolate ovaltine. Just kidding. I hate that stuff. Take care. peace
Regards,
Ray
Doctoral Student - Psychology
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