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Great article Christine! I recruit for a library system and we are finding fewer and fewer people going for their MLS, even fewer schools actually offering the program. The future of the profession will definitely be interesting!

Thanks for posting the article.

The future is unknown - but I have seen historically the growing pains within the profession from articles I have read. In one, at the turn of the 20th century - -all was lost because the telephone meant people would no longer come into the library - everyone would call and just pop in to pick up books.

Then the computers were the thing that was going to eradicate libraries because we could find everything we wanted to know by using the electronic catalog. Also did not happen.

The landscape is always changing -- but it is exciting as well.

I think libraries will definitely be around to stay, but the landscape may change. Libraries will always be frequented especially in times of economic turmoil as people lose their at home internet access, or want to read books, and can't afford to buy them.

Our patronage normally goes way up at those times! Perhaps fewer professionals and more paraprofessionals? What do you think?

Well Dianne -

That's a slippery slope. I have much respect for the degree and the training that goes with it. As the landscape of the profession changes and the needs of the respective communities we serve change, the need for those with the skills and training to navigate the information and technology landscapes increases. I see room for both professionals and paraprofessionals in the public library (and I delineate public because that is where I work, not because I have a different opinion about a different type of library).

I will say that the degree does provide one with a level of knowledge not available to most paraprofessionals. Several situations immediately come to mind where training in theory is important: bookstore models versus Dewey, banned books versus right to information/access, collection development, weeding, ...I could go on and on. But you get the idea. :-)

I was a paraprofessional prior to obtaining my MSLIS. When I was, I didn't know what I didn't know. Now, being trained and experienced, I'm embarrassed that I even ventured to call myself a librarian without the knowledge I have now. One woman's opinion.