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ALA says “Get a Job”. I say let’s diversify!

ALA has gathered advice and resources on getting  job in this tough economic market. Check it out here: http://www.getajob.ala.org/

A colleague has written his two cents concerning about getting an interview at an academic institution.

Preparing for an academic interview – ALA | Get A Job!.

I like what Jonathan has to say. Though, I might quibble on a little point.

I have been on multiple job interviews and a member of a few search committees myself. Truthfully, I really wish libraries would open up their hiring practices beyond the MLIS. I think in some cases (not all) we hurt libraries by limiting to the ALA sanctioned MLIS. We have created our own job security with the MLIS. Get the piece of paper get the job. Pretty much it is a giant bureaucracy with blinders on.  Yet, in some situations the most qualified person for a library position can be drawn from people without an MLIS. This pool of candidates may have greater  experience with technology, computers,  web site creation, public relations, literacy, history, archives,  languages, fund-raising, teaching etc.  These are all skills libraries need to remain relevant to our public. Limiting to only those candidates with an MLIS weeds out these potentially great hires.

I guess the basic question is, is it easier to train someone to be a librarian or is it easier to train a librarian to learn a language, learn JavaScript, learn to teach, learn whatever?

I am not saying ditch the MLIS by any means. Actually, I think libraries under-value it in many respects. Most libraries these days, in my humble observation, concern themselves more with managing resources and draw little from library theory. If you want someone to manage resources, you mind as well just hire someone with a business background or any background that helps the library. If you want someone with vision, an understanding of the cultural role of a library,  and the place libraries reside within communities, get yourself a librarian with an MLIS ASAP!  I, personally, would love to see more library theory being talked about in libraries. Let’s talk about WHY we are developing our collections not simply HOW we manage them.

If it is about selecting the right people to make your organization a better place, why limit your choices? Make some tough choices in your hiring committees, don’t put limitations simply to make your job easier.

Tags: education, jobs, librarians

Vardis Fisher is a Wild One

WIld Ones aka Dark Bridwell

WIld Ones aka Dark Bridwell

So I recently took a one credit, two-day class on the Idaho author Vardis Fisher.  The first day of the class was lecture and the second was a visit to the ruins of Vardis Fisher’s cabin in Hagerman, Idaho. The one thing you may know he has written is Mountain Man which became the Robert Redford film Jeremiah Johnson. I have not read any Vardis Fisher books and from the class learned he might not be the most approachable author but still I am greatly intrigued by him and his life. There seems to be an element of tragedy and hubris that traces both through his life as well as his writing.

Most of his work is out of print but I was able to order the above book The Wild Ones (Dark Bridwell) off ebay for under $20.00 which I am happy about because most places seem to charge and arm and a leg for it. I am not sure if the cover will do justice to the story. The seller of the book seemed to be in the business of selling works with lurid covers which I find a little funny.

Check out my pictures about the visit to Hagerman and the Vardis Fisher cabin.

Tags: authors, books, education, idaho

There is a wishing tree at my library

So one day I discovered a Wishing Tree in front of my library. Nobody knows how it got there. Not archives. Not the gardener who I saw taking care of it. I like that there is mystery here…

PS: How do wishing trees work?

Wishing Tree

Wishing Tree

Wishing Tree

Wishing Tree

Wishing Tree Berries

Wishing Tree Berries

Tags: mystery

Not quite the oldest profession…

Just learned that the word LIBRARY first used in 1374… or 635 years ago. That is a lot of shushing through the ages…

Tags: libraries

A Riot of Me

Chris at the Library Riot blog picked up on my ditty “the Open Work” which is sort of the philosophy behind this blog (remember when this blog was called OpenWorkLibrary?). You can read about his reaction here.  I have always wanted to expand this into something a bit more formal, but I didn’t want it to simply add to all the fluff already swirling around themes like Library  2.0, “blended librarians”, etc. Anyway, if you got any thoughts on the idea of the library as an “open work”,  please share.

Also if you wanted to know more about me and my research, our library is working on a digital repository of research for campus. Part of that is a feature called SelectWorks which researchers can post information and papers. You can view my profile here.

Tags: blog