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Current and future issues
The Librarian Shortage, or Not?
Starting in the late 1990s, the issue of recruiting new
library workers, librarians in particular, began to become a hot topic in
the library world. As baby boomers started to approach retirement age,
many people predicted that there would be a critical shortage of
replacement workers. For job seekers, this was to be the start of a golden
age of job opportunities. The current reality is somewhat mixed.
Indeed there are areas of the country and types of
positions that are facing shortages. For example, the Library Research
Service in Colorado conducted a survey in 2003 showing that more than 20%
of the librarians in the state were planning on retiring by 2008, with a
disturbing 50% of the school librarians planning on retiring. A 2005
survey by the Public Library Association also indicated a large number of
anticipated retirements starting in 2010.
Perhaps due to current economic conditions, or the large
losses many people experienced in investment portfolios, the job market
has remained tight for many recent graduates. In addition, it may take
some time for entry level positions to become available as the people
retiring will be leaving upper management positions, typically filled by
people with a degree and experience.
Currently, library schools indicate that the average
graduate will need XX months to obtain a job. (GET ALISE STATS).
read more about it:
Allied
Professional Association
An organization closely affiliated with the American Library
Association formed to advocate for better library salaries, the value
of libraries, and the development of a formal certification program
for librarians.
"Librarians:
Information Experts in the Information Age"
Occupational Outlook Quarterly, Winter 2000-01 (PDF)
"Retirement,
Retention and Recruitment: The Future of Librarianship in Colorado"
Library Research Service, September 2004 (PDF)
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