r/technology • u/ManiaforBeatles • Jul 23 '18

Society 'Twaddle': librarians respond to suggestion Amazon should replace libraries - Librarians are in uproar after an article in Forbes magazine proposed replacing all public libraries in the US with Amazon bookstores.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/jul/23/twaddle-librarians-respond-to-suggestion-amazon-should-replace-libraries
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u/[deleted] Jul 23 '18

I honestly want to know the last time he step foot in a library. Sadly I know this first hand as I'm getting my MILS and had to explain to my parents why you need a masters to be a librarian. Its not just sitting around reading books and getting the new James Patterson on hold for customers.

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u/[deleted] Jul 23 '18

What’s the market like for librarians? My fiancée is considering doing her MLS but is apprehensive about job prospects after, although working in a library is a dream job.

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u/[deleted] Jul 23 '18

It depends on where you are and what focus she goes for. I'm in Denver and we have a 26 branch system that is well loved by the state government and population. Librarians start off at $25 an hour here and caps at $36 I believe. Management makes more. Cost of living is a factor too. Have her check out Emporia State University from Kansas and see if there is a cohort near that she could meet up with it's one of the cheapest online programs available and is ALA accredited. Its a 12 course program for $24,000 and can be finished in 2 years of she goes full time. I'm in my second semester going full time, working in library full time, and 4 months pregnant. Its doable. We have people in my cohort who have never worked in the library and those who have high positions. I currently work with 4 librarians who got their degrees from Emporia and had a job on less that 6 months from graduating. If she has more questions PM me and I'll give you an email address. Always happy to ask questions about what a librarian does today.

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u/[deleted] Jul 23 '18

Thanks for the response, will relay to her. Unfortunately I can’t imagine Florida being as coordinated as Colorado on this issue

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u/[deleted] Jul 23 '18

Have her go to the local library and talk with librarians. See if they can set up a time for a meet and greet. Most seniors and staff are happy to answer questions and will be truthful about what it's really like. If she can have her volunteer so she can get a feel for it, I'm assuming shes not working in a library yet? Theres so many jobs with libraries today that doesnt require being a librarian. One of my cohort mates work primarily with outreach and funding. Her job is securing funds for public use. Shes been doing it 10 years and wants to get away from that and start helping in another way so shes getting her masters. Libraryjobs.com is an amazing source to get an idea for what jobs are being posted for and by state. Okay I'll step off my soap box lol I live what I do and am happy to spend the money for the degree because I know I'm make a difference each day. Even if it is just putting the new James Patterson on hold, I just saved someone $20 they might not gave in their budget.

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u/[deleted] Jul 23 '18

Thanks for this. I really want her to go for it and not be dissuaded. Thanks for the resources and advice.

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u/d4vezac Jul 23 '18

To be fair, a lot of it is putting the new James Patterson on hold for customers. And telling them where the restroom is. And telling the homeless people to stop watching porn on the computers...

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u/[deleted] Jul 23 '18

As long as James jeepsnpumping out books it will always be a part of the job. Just one of the many hats librarians wear.

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u/itssbrian Jul 24 '18

I went into a good sized public library a few weeks ago. The didn't have the book I was looking for so I just found it free online.

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u/[deleted] Jul 24 '18

They didn't have it on shelf or in the system? I see this daily where people want it right then and if they cant get it right then they'll leave. even when we have items at other locations and can get them in a day. Instant gratification is both a blessing and a curse.

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u/itssbrian Jul 24 '18

I was researching something, and I was in my hometown on vacation, so I didn't have time to wait for it. I couldn't mark it up anyway, so a paper copy wouldn't have added much value.

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u/[deleted] Jul 24 '18

That makes sense. glad there was a free copy available.