Thursday, February 21, 2008

Blantant Berry: The Vanishing Librarians

For the past several years, many have said that now is the time to be a librarian, that the profession is greying. There are a lot of opportunities out there for new librarians, and I was encouraged by that news.

But now, after reading an article in Library Journal, that may be changing with technology. All of these new jobs may not be needed as the library turns into a Barnes & Noble, where clerks rely on the computer for help in any subject. Professional librarians may only be able to find work with corporations such as Amazon or B&N, making lists for them for the online content.

Here is the article about "deskilling." Read it and let me know what you think!

Blantant Berry: The Vanishing Librarians
The Library Becomes a Dehumanized Supermarket or a Chaotic Bookstore
By John N. Berry III
Library Journal 02/15/2008