While scanning the feed for "Library Journal--Library Culture," I discovered that the Library Journal recently published the results of its yearly "Placements and Salaries Survey." You can read a brief overview of the current statistical trends at http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6605987.html?nid=3279. As a current library science student, I am naturally interested in occupational trends for the library and information science field. In good news, this past year's graduates' salaries averaged $42,361 per year, which was a 3.1% increase over last year's graduates. Unfortunately, there was also an increase in the number of temporary positions graduates took, which generally provide less money, benefits, and security than permanent positions.
For more detailed results, including a dozen different sections, check out http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6602490.html&cache=FALSE. I found Stephanie Maatta's section titled "Inside the Library Gender Gap" particularly thought-provoking. Despite the fact that women were far more numerous in the field (80% of new workers), they earned on average 7.7% less than men did. The article details some variance resultant from library type and region. Unfortunately, some of the lowest starting salaries were earned in the Midwest, the region where I currently live and work. Granted, cost-of-living may be somewhat less as well, but that news is still a bit distressing.
Another section worth examining for current and prospective librarians is Maatta's look at "Beyond the Library: Public vs. Private Sector Jobs," which you can read at http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6604391.html. She discusses some trends occurring in the private sector, ranging from corporate positions to non-profit jobs. As a result of this wide variance, private sector positions included some of the best and worst salaries for library/information science graduates.
Overall, I would recommend checking out the Library Journal website or subscribing to one or more of their feeds, which are helpfully divided into subgroups depending on your interests at http://www.bloglines.com.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Librarian Humor
I have found this great feed from Bloglines called "The Jurassic Librarian." It provides wonderful, humorous reflections on library-related issues. Unfortunately, it is not updated as frequently as I would like, but that is its only drawback. As a student in library science who also works part-time at her local public library, I really appreciated the author's thoughts. Even though I enjoy my work, I find it stressful or irritating at times, and this feed offers a terrific respite. I feel like the writer is channeling some of my thoughts about library work and trends observed in staff, patrons, and facilities.
For example, in a post titled "Annals of Patron Behavior," the blogger discusses the strange phenomenon of "The Last, Immortal Freebie." Many libraries have free items for patrons to take, and these free items are tremendously popular until the last one is left. The blogger notes how that last free item sits on the free cart, shelf, etc. until a staff member removes it. While this occurrence seems bizarre, it happens all the time. As the writer mentions, this kind of thinking does not prevent some folks from stealing from the library. I suppose we'll never fully understand the vagaries of the human mind.
Most recently, the blogger tackled the concept of main libraries versus satellite branches and the issues involved. Obviously, there are pros and cons of working in each kind of library. The writer brings up amusing comparisons to Siberia (for the branches) and the Death Star (for the main library). While branch systems can be wonderful for patrons, these kinds of issues do emerge, and it is helpful to remember both sides of the issue.
Anyway, if you feel like reading some observations on library work and perhaps laughing a bit, you can subscribe to the feed at http://www.bloglines.com if you sign up for an account. You can also access the blog at http://juralib.blogspot.com/.
For example, in a post titled "Annals of Patron Behavior," the blogger discusses the strange phenomenon of "The Last, Immortal Freebie." Many libraries have free items for patrons to take, and these free items are tremendously popular until the last one is left. The blogger notes how that last free item sits on the free cart, shelf, etc. until a staff member removes it. While this occurrence seems bizarre, it happens all the time. As the writer mentions, this kind of thinking does not prevent some folks from stealing from the library. I suppose we'll never fully understand the vagaries of the human mind.
Most recently, the blogger tackled the concept of main libraries versus satellite branches and the issues involved. Obviously, there are pros and cons of working in each kind of library. The writer brings up amusing comparisons to Siberia (for the branches) and the Death Star (for the main library). While branch systems can be wonderful for patrons, these kinds of issues do emerge, and it is helpful to remember both sides of the issue.
Anyway, if you feel like reading some observations on library work and perhaps laughing a bit, you can subscribe to the feed at http://www.bloglines.com if you sign up for an account. You can also access the blog at http://juralib.blogspot.com/.
Friday, October 17, 2008
The Internet vs. The Brain
I have been reading some interesting articles from a LIS feed I subscribe to called "Library Link of the Day." Two that jumped out concerned the connection between internet technology and cognitive functioning. This issue has been a chief concern for many years and looks to continue to stay in the spotlight for the foreseeable future. The first article suggests some positive effects of technology use, while the second offers a less rosy view.
1) http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7667610.stm
According to BBC News, a UCLA research team has discovered that internet searching may help stimulate brain activity. According to the study, web searching actually proved to be a more stimulating activity than reading due to the choices and complex thought inherent in using the internet. However, that difference was only observable in individuals who were somewhat skilled internet users. Still, this study offers an alternative to the popular idea that the internet is rotting Americans' brains.
2) http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95524385
In a less optimistic article, NPR examines the effects of technology and multitasking on brain efficacy in teenagers. Although researchers acknowledge a dearth of data, they state that multitasking tends to lessen the ability of individuals to do any one task effectively. Researcher David Meyer describes the effect of multitasking as a "brownout in the brain." While the brain does not entirely shut down, its power is dimmed. A person starts to rapidly lose the power to maintain strong cognitive connections. For example, a teenager might focus on chemistry homework for a few minutes, then IM her friend, return to her homework, check her e-mail, play a computer game, and finally finish that chemistry work. This teenager will not retain the chemistry knowledge she learned very well because the neural links were so frequently interrupted. Obviously, technology makes multitasking very easy and tempting for current students, and this article points to some of the hazards involved with that.
1) http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7667610.stm
According to BBC News, a UCLA research team has discovered that internet searching may help stimulate brain activity. According to the study, web searching actually proved to be a more stimulating activity than reading due to the choices and complex thought inherent in using the internet. However, that difference was only observable in individuals who were somewhat skilled internet users. Still, this study offers an alternative to the popular idea that the internet is rotting Americans' brains.
2) http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95524385
In a less optimistic article, NPR examines the effects of technology and multitasking on brain efficacy in teenagers. Although researchers acknowledge a dearth of data, they state that multitasking tends to lessen the ability of individuals to do any one task effectively. Researcher David Meyer describes the effect of multitasking as a "brownout in the brain." While the brain does not entirely shut down, its power is dimmed. A person starts to rapidly lose the power to maintain strong cognitive connections. For example, a teenager might focus on chemistry homework for a few minutes, then IM her friend, return to her homework, check her e-mail, play a computer game, and finally finish that chemistry work. This teenager will not retain the chemistry knowledge she learned very well because the neural links were so frequently interrupted. Obviously, technology makes multitasking very easy and tempting for current students, and this article points to some of the hazards involved with that.
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