Comments on: What is a Librarian?

By: Kaleidobrarian

Kaleidobrarian — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:38:14 +0000

I’m okay with any library employees telling their friends & family they’re a “librarian”–as a longtime staffer that’s what I always did, no need to belabor the staff/professional distinction to the layfolk who really don’t care. But if you want to call yourself a capital-L “Librarian” to others in the field, it should say so on your paystub. What’s your title at work? That’s what you are. Have an MLS but no job? Your a degree-holder–and kudos to you–but not a Librarian.

By: Alwayswantedtobe

Alwayswantedtobe — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:27:21 +0000

They make it too darn hard to get in a GSLIS program. They only want straight A students.

By: 6h8nr

6h8nr — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:18:18 +0000

shhhhh

You were not supposed to see that.

By: Librarian?

Librarian? — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:54:04 +0000

Certainly a journalist that happens to work for a library journal (not a library) shouldn’t call themselves a librarian; annoyed or not.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 10:38:47 +0000

Sorry to dredge up an old post, but I just came across this and have had a lot of fun discussing this with my co-workers in the past.

The OED definition of librarian doesn’t mention any degree whatsoever (or even qualifications. In comparison, physician mentions that one has to be qualified to practice medicine which leaves open room for governing bodies, etc).

If Librarians want to co-opt this 300+ year old word, that’s fine… but maybe send a note to the OED letting them know.

By: Daffy Duck

Daffy Duck — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:56:09 +0000

"My position is that if it look like a duck and walks like a duck, it's a librarian."

So librarians are ducks?

Explains the bags of corn and the slippery $hit that fills the break room here.

By: shushie

shushie — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:54:41 +0000

“My position is that if it look like a duck and walks like a duck, it’s a librarian.”
Agreed. I have worked in one academic library and several rural libraries where some of the librarians did not have an MLIS and I did not think that made them any less of a librarian. As a more recent graduate with an MLIS I can say experience, for me, has been so much more valuable than even one of those theory classes.

By: Shernett Bennett

Shernett Bennett — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 08:38:28 +0000

It is funny to read all this discussion about who is a Librarian and what is a librarian. In the context of the Caribbean and in particular Jamaica, in the public libraries, a Librarian is an individual who has attained a batchelor of Arts Degree in Library and Information studies and one who has gained experience by working in the field. There are also persons who have earned a batchelors degree in another field but completes the MLIS or MLS is also reffered to as Librarian in the public libraries.

By: NotMarianTheLibrarian

NotMarianTheLibrarian — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:53:19 +0000

Scottie, you’re a Librarian.

By: Scottie Baugh

Scottie Baugh — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:36:15 +0000

I work in a small library in south Texas. I never finished college. But to the patrons who walk in the door, I am a librarian, because I work in a library. I find books for them, I suggest books they might like to read, I fix their computer problems, I catalog the books, I work at the circulation desk, I order books. Just last week, I supervised the movers who were installing the shelves in our new building, because the plans we had were wrong.

But I’m probably not a librarian, since I don’t have a BA, much less an MLS. Just don’t tell our Patrons!