[Sca-librarians] A little pep talk on why librarians are important

[Sally Burnell]

     This should also include library paraprofessionals. Often times we get no respect. We may lack that Master's Degree that a professional librarian may have, but in this increasingly tight economy where libraries, after massive expansion during the Roaring 90s, are now facing massive downsizing of personnel and materials, more libraries are turning to paraprofessionals to man reference desks as well as circulation desks where we have traditionally been put to work. For years, we've had to endure that "us vs. them" culture of paraprofessional vs. professional. It's hard on the self esteem when you can't gain any respect because of the lack of an advanced degree. 

     In Ohio, anyway, public librarians are required to become "Certified Public Librarians" by taking 100 hours per year of continuing education, whereas paraprofessionals do not have that requirement. Does that mean that the patron will receive less worthy service from a paraprofessional than if they were being served by a professional? I have always disliked the marginalization of the paraprofessionals by professionals, many of whom we have trained when they arrived on the job. Libraries are increasingly turning to us to do reader's advisory and quick reference because we can work cheaper than our professional counterparts. Often times we are called on to be jacks of all trades. 

     Paraprofessionals deserve the same kind of respect that professionals do. All we want is a fair shake and a little respect. We don't want to be "ghetto-ized" because of our lack of advanced training, nor less respected by the library users because of it, either. If you work with paraprofessionals and haven't taken the time to thank them for the hard work that they do, do so. You never know, it might make their day to know that they are at least being recognized as being as much a part of the library as the MLIS librarian. 

Just a little rant from a library paraprofessional of 30 years who just wants a little respect every now and again........

~Sally Burnell, known in the SCA as Saradwen Ariandalen

________________________________
 From: Jennifer Heise <jenne.heise at gmail.com>
To: sca-librarians at lists.gallowglass.org 
Sent: Monday, June 10, 2013 9:42 AM
Subject: [Sca-librarians] A little pep talk on why librarians are important
 


An audio file to play when you feel blue:
James Manasco, "Librarianship is a higher calling,"
http://audioboo.fm/boos/1441296-sla2013-james-manasco-librarianship-is-a-higher-calling

-- 
Jennifer Heise

known in the SCA as Jadwiga Zajaczkowa 
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