Librarian - Just a Title
July 27th, 2006I learned a very valuable lesson this week, one that I was on the fence about theoretically. Until this week. Here it is.
You don’t have to have an MLS to be a librarian. The MLS doesn’t teach passion, empathy, user focused skills, or provide experience. Some library science schools don’t even teach you how to perform research well.
So, how does one become a librarian, even without that piece of paper? Well, experience helps. Alot. Who would you rather be doing important research for you, one that could mean getting or not getting a multi-million dollar client (and don’t tell me that this doesn’t happen, because it has happened to me many many times):
A 25 year veteran of library who owns his own company, networks like crazy, and can walk circles around other library managers and researchers. Or. A graduate of the best library school in the country who has never stepped into a real library. I’d even take that 25 year non MLS library veteran with passion for the work than an MLS librarian with 25 years experience who has no…well…UMPH!
I’ve met lots of librarians over the years and I could care less if they have a piece of paper that only proves that they can write papers and take tests. It means nothing.
Could I be where I am today without my MLS? Maybe. But that doesn’t mean my post is fraught with error. Maybe it means that the job requirements for library research jobs are not bringing in the best candidates. By standing on principle that an “MLS is required”, we may be missing out on an entire pool of workers which will do a better job that MLS with 4 years experience.