I've been planning for awhile now to go back to school (hopefully next fall) to get my masters in library sciences, and go be a librarian somewhere. I love libraries, because I love books, and I love being around them, and sharing them with other people. And at this point, that's mostly the extent of what I plan to do with the degree.
But there are people who get library degrees and go on to work as archivists, among other things, and they go work in museums and places like that, that are about preserving not just books and documents, but history as well.
Yesterday I read a post on Neil Gaiman's blog where he put a link to a site called Curious Expeditions, which in itself is pretty amazing (and you should go check it out). But on the sidebar, in the list of reader favorites, is the link to the Librophiliac Love Letter post, there are dozens of photos of breathtaking libraries from all over the world.
I'd be lying if I didn't admit that part of me wants to work somewhere like that. Not just surrounded by the ordinary books that anyone in the world can check out, but to work alongside treasures, in a beautiful place built to honor and preserve them.
2 comments:
Keep getting experience in libraries...somehow. Volunteering was a good start, but maybe seek out some intership experience while pursuing your Masters. The pickings are pretty thin these days for any job, but librarian positions seem very difficult. Honestly, you will make an amazing librarian and could probably already do the job without too much adjustment, but actually landing a paying gig is going to be the challenge. But, that said, don't be discouraged by how crappy things are now... Libraries are being used more now than any time I can remember during the past decade or so, and it's only a matter of time before the lack of talented individuals in the field overlaps with the needs of library users that aren't being met because of it... which means people who actually know what they are doing will need to be employed in the positions. Plus, I think even in tough times, you'll stand out as an ideal candidate. You were pretty much the best volunteer we ever had and you became an important part of the library in a very short period of time, so I think you'll wind up at the top of the heap.
Aww, you're making me blush.
In all seriousness, that's pretty much my plan already. I think when I get back to Fort Worth, I'll get another temp job and start volunteering and see if I can get my foot in the door. I'm kind of hoping I'll end up at U. of North Texas, so it'll be good to already be involved there anyway.
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