Comments on: Public to Academic, But Never the Other Way Around

By: Hana

Hana — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 21:34:37 +0000

I haven’t even read this whole post, but I am proud to say that I am one of those individuals that went the opposite route of academic and specialised to public. I’m not saying this is permanent, (and there’s the truth right there) but I do really enjoy the real interaction you have with humankind and real conversations you have with real people every day in the public library setting.

I would never ever get a similar experience working in an academic institution. Your client base is so defined that in a way, you’re limiting yourself. Every day is different in any organisation, but in public libraries, it really is true.

And it challenges you and makes you think every day here. Also, where else do you have the opportunity to; do collection development, weeding, teach someone how to use a search engine and type in a url, show preschoolers how to use their imagination through picture books and crafts and…. all in one day??

By: Ravengirl

Ravengirl — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:00:55 +0000

I work for a nonprofit research institute that has a pretty flat organizational structure. Think scientists, not executives – so it’s more of an academic environment. Library budgets can be cut instantly, and in fact, I’m the only one left of originally 3 librarians. OTOH, I’ve made myself indispensable. I’ve had more job security here than I ever did in a public library system where my job was always being cut. I have had to do some defending – depending on the boss. Some are more library-savvy than others. But so far I’ve been very fortunate and recently negotiated a substantial raise _after_ we had layoffs.

By: gatoloco

gatoloco — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:53:41 +0000

Trying to get back to public libraries. I would rather help the homeless than have an executive leer at me.

By: gatoloco

gatoloco — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:46:07 +0000

Special libraries in the corporate realm can be tricky. Library budgets can be cut instantly, and you must defend your services on a daily basis. Some institutions love librarians, others expect you to get coffee for guests, deliver mail, etc. Perverts can be a bigger problem here. Pay is good. So beware if you are a solo librarian. If you are part of a department life can be pretty good. But it can be amazing what executives will do. I have had things thrown at me, funny thing was that I had the right data in that instance.

By: Ravengirl

Ravengirl — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 22:50:18 +0000

I’d love to hear from special librarians who have transitions from public to special libraries. I always thought my career would be in a public library, and what I miss most is the diversity of patrons and working with people (yes, even the “problem patrons”). And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the privilege of fine free reading! But I ended up in a special library because there were simply no jobs in public libraries in California. And to my surprise, I love what I’m doing.

I work as a solo for a multi-state research institution. Much of what I do would be considered academic – we are a grant funded organization and I often do literature reviews and consult with scientists on research interests. But I also get to do “everything”. Cataloging, ILL, management – I’m doing it all (at one point I supervised two employees). The one thing that troubled me about working in public libraries was the lack of appreciation for innovation and heavy bureaucracy. I’m fortunate that my organization appreciates new ideas and risk taking. If I had to, I’d go back to working in public libraries, because I derived great satisfaction in helping people with all kinds of questions and needs. But I’d really miss the diversity of tasks I have here, and the added respect I get as a librarian. This is the first place where I’ve worked where I’ve been told that I’m an essential resource. While the public was appreciative, I was never told that in the library system I worked for.

By: bibliophile

bibliophile — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:40:45 +0000

I went from an academic library to a special(R&D) to a hospital to a high school and after many years ended up in a public library. They all have their good and bad points (although I fled the high school screaming), but despite the crazies, in a public library the patrons are the most receptive and grateful for the help they receive. They regularly bring us food an lattes as than yous–I never saw that anywhere else.

By: NotMarianTheLibrarian

NotMarianTheLibrarian — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 21:14:00 +0000

I started in public, moved to corporate/special and am now in an academic library. I cannot think of a thing about the public library work I honestly enjoyed. I didn’t like the loads of crap we bought to satisfy “need.” I didn’t like functioning as a babysitting facility. I didn’t like working with the homeless – too many were filthy, smelly, mentally ill, drunk, or just plain weird. I didn’t like the pervs.

Corporate/special – I really loved the work for a long time, and the pay and benefits were phenomenal.

Academic – the pay isn’t much nor are the benefits. But I like the youngsters and the work. It’s a private institution and we’ll let you in if you’re not affiliated. Just don’t monopolize our time or resources. We’ll put you on the “do not allow” list.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 03:55:20 +0000

Haha… I made the transition from a research library to a public library, because I was sick of the pretentious esoteric needs of the privileged few in their ivory towers, and I wanted to get more involved in the community and make a difference for who aren’t necessarily getting ahead in life by enriching them with lifelong learning and information skills.

I got disillusioned soon enough. The saving grace of working in libraries was that I liked to read, and could develop my knowledge of literary culture by chatting to patrons about books all the time.

But, I then made a dire error in my career. I decided to move into school library management. Because I wanted to engage young people with literature and teach them proper research skills, etc.

I made the mistake of thinking that young people actually cared about such things. Sure, there are some great kids, but I could count them on both hands. :(

By: Bruce Campbell

Bruce Campbell — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:56:30 +0000

Or writing some blog about libraries for a library association and wondering when the next unread book deal will come through.

CALL THE BURN UNIT!!!

By: Cantankerous Librarian

Cantankerous Librarian — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 02:21:18 +0000

I was an academic librarian who is now a public librarian. I had to leave because there was no full-time position and (at the time) I could no longer work part-time as adjunct faculty. I find it amusing AL’s generalizations about public libraries, it’s vapid and naive for someone who has no understanding of a public library. Yes, a lot of the public like their porn, their facebook updates and cooking recipes. Then, there is another class of people who use the public library for research purposes, because they have no access to the ivory tower libraries with their superior clientele wiping their noses, getting tintinitis from their ipods and wearing their tattoos like honor badges. We write. We do a lot of the work other nice academic librarians do. Public librarianship is not a ‘calling’, it’s a job. Much like waiting tables or driving a cab. Or writing some blog about libraries for a library association and wondering when the next unread book deal will come through.