Hi, I'm a library student finishing up my first semester of grad school. I get the question all the time, "You have to go to school to be a librarian?" asked in an incredulous fashion. I have gotten things like, "But all librarians do is tell you to hush and check out books." I think there are a lot of misconceptions about the people that work in a library, and these are things I didn't know either until I started grad school in the fall. For example, not everyone that works at a library desk is a degreed librarian. Let me repeat,
NOT EVERYONE THAT WORKS AT A LIBRARY DESK IS A DEGREED LIBRARIAN.
I know, you're astonished. I was quite shocked, too. You can work at a library with only a high school or undergrad degree, but you won't be doing all the things that librarians with a master's in library and information science degree do. This semester I had three classes. One was just an introduction to all types of libraries and the policies and issues that go along with being a librarian. The second was a cataloging class where I learned how to make up that lovely record you see when you search for a book at your local library. The third was a reference class where I was taught about how to answer questions, what good customer service is, what resources are out there besides Google, and how to use social media in libraries. I picked up quite a lot this semester.
On this blog I am going to talk about the misconceptions that people have about who works in a library and why they have to go to school, along with what I am doing in school over the next 2-3 years to give you an idea of what librarians learn. I'll tell you what I am learning, how my classes are going, and maybe even give you some tips on how to use your library to your advantage.
Let me know if you have any questions or any misconceptions you want dispelled!
