Librarians - Today’s Information Experts

By Dru Frykberg and Rachel Vilsack
September  2010

PDF of article

The modern-day librarian has a broad range of technical skills and knowledge that librarians of the past could only dream about.

Today’s librarian does not match the stereotype of the woman with a bun who sat behind a desk and told you to be quiet. Library careers today require knowledge and proficiency of the latest digital technology, computer software and Internet trends. (And, yes, a love of books helps!) Library careers also require customer service and communication skills. This profession, after all, is aimed at assisting people find the information they need.  

What Minnesota librarians are up to these days and who employs them might surprise you. Librarians are working for public libraries, juggling the dual demands of serving the tech savvy and computer novices. A recent news story illustrated the increased use of libraries by job seekers in the Twin Cities, who use free Internet and Wi-Fi services, research jobs and employers, and take free computer workshops.[1]  Librarians also have a significant function in the business world, working for some of the state’s major employers, providing information to meet employee and customer demands. 

Regardless of where librarians work, the reason they are critical is obvious: Librarians are today’s information experts. 

A Day in the Life

Brian Lind works as a reference librarian for Rochester Public Library. He still performs the traditional work of helping people find the information they need to apply for jobs, research legal issues and access social services. But he’s also working behind the scenes, developing a mobile website and designing a text-messaging service so people can use the library via their smart phones.

“Instant messaging is through the roof,” Lind said. “We get 300 to 400 instant message questions a month. Some people are surprised we are taking on some of the technology and using it. Other people are like, ‘Thanks for finally doing that.’”

While some users embrace technology, others turn to Lind for help submitting online employment applications, setting up e-mail accounts, navigating confusing government websites and using technical devices like digital cameras and iPods.

“We do see people every day who’ve never used the Internet,” he said. “I feel great to see those people come in and learn.” 

Daniel Marcou is a corrections librarian for Hennepin County Library Outreach, which provides library services to about 500 inmates of the Adult Corrections Facility in Plymouth. He’s made it his mission to show his clients how libraries can improve their lives. Marcou developed the Freedom Ticket program, which educates inmates on how libraries can help them transition to life outside the short-term custody facility. The program includes job resource workshops and a website with information on programs and resources to support residents after their release.

Marcou, who provides inmates with recreational reading and research material, doesn’t consider his job dangerous.

“Respect carries a lot of weight inside a facility,” he said. “I give the residents the same level of customer service I would in any other library I’ve worked. I want them to have a positive library experience because this is the first time many of them have ever used a library, and if they enjoy it on the inside, the chances are better they will use a public library after their release.”

It’s All Business

Not all librarians work for public libraries, however. In Minnesota, there are more than 2,300 librarians working in a variety of settings, including private businesses. Table 1 shows a breakdown of librarian jobs in the state.

Julie Fleischhacker is a digital asset librarian for General Mills who decided on librarianship because she wanted a challenging career requiring her technical skills. Fleischhacker supports the company’s digital library and ensures that company images, recipes and videos are accessible to people searching General Mills’ websites, such as BettyCrocker.com and Pillsbury.com.

“The content allows the websites to engage customers and drives sales of our products,” she said.

Erin Perry, senior corporate librarian for Target Corp., is one of four librarians working in Target’s three libraries. She researches competitors, trends and economic issues for Target staff. Perry also manages content, providing a single online location for employees to access information. The library is important because it connects people to information, providing context on Target’s operating environment as well as an external perspective, she said.

A master’s degree in library and information science is required to work as a librarian.[2] While there is not a four-year degree program specific to librarians, many students pursue a bachelor’s degree in English, computer science or graphic design. These disciplines provide a strong foundation for the traditional duties of a librarian job. Librarians are often attracted to the profession from their own library experiences, including working for libraries while in school.

Melissa Rethlefsen, education technology librarian for Mayo Clinic Libraries, doesn’t have an academic background in medicine or science, but her experience working at the University of Minnesota Bio-Medical Library as a college student helped prepare her for librarianship careers at the Minnesota Department of Health and at Mayo.

At Mayo, Rethlefsen, who’s also an assistant professor of medical education, primarily works with medical students and faculty, teaching research skills and getting them in touch with the information they need to write articles, prepare for tests and develop presentations.

“Mayo is really dependent on its library,” she said. “Everyone makes use of it, and everyone is very comfortable contacting librarians, and we get a huge range [of requests].” Mayo has 18 libraries in Arizona, Florida, Wisconsin as well as Minnesota. Some of the facilities focus solely on serving Mayo patients.

Information Experts for Tomorrow

The career outlook for librarians in Minnesota is fair. Employment in the profession is expected to increase by 4 percent between 2009 and 2019, and many jobs will become available as people retire from the profession. More than half of librarians in Minnesota are employed in the Twin Cities region. At $27.74, median hourly wages paid to librarians in Minneapolis-St. Paul are higher than in other regions of the state (see Table 2). 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistic’s latest Occupational Outlook Handbook, jobs for librarians outside traditional settings will grow the fastest over the decade.  Nontraditional librarian jobs include working as information brokers and working for private corporations, nonprofit organizations and consulting firms. 

Rethlefsen has advice for those interested in library careers.

“Get involved as soon as you can,” she said. “Even while you’re still in library school, you can get involved in the profession and build your network. Join associations and run for offices. Start a blog. Get involved in the library community through Twitter and FriendFeed. It’s pretty easy to get involved if you’re willing to get your feet a little wet.” 

Conclusion

Whether it’s helping job seekers, inmates or corporations get the information they need to succeed, Minnesota librarians play an important role in our communities. It’s estimated that 300,000 Americans get job-seeking help at their public library every day.[3] About 2.8 million times every month, business owners and employees use resources at public libraries to support their small businesses.[4] For those individuals who’ve chosen library science as a career, there may be no better reward than helping someone find the information they need.

Top

Endnotes:
[1] Shenoy, Rupa. “Librarian’s job description expands to help unemployed,” Minnesota Public Radio, April 12, 2010, http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/04/12/library .
[2] Additional certifications for librarians working in the school systems are often needed and may include teaching licensures, in lieu of a master’s degree.
[3] OCLC, “How Libraries Stack Up: 2010,” www.oclc.org/reports/stackup .
[4] Ibid.

Top