Public
Responses from Librarians

1. Why did you want to become a Librarian?
Well, I've always enjoyed the library atmosphere and feel it's a very rewarding career. The ability to assist others with locating information or the feeling I get helping a child find just the right book is wonderful

2. What is your job in the library now?
I am the bookmobile librarian in a public library. I live in CT. in a town of approximately 56, 000. I drive the bookmobile as well as select, stock, and circulate the books. I also process some of the collection onto the online catalog. I have another part of my job, which is Satellite Branch Coordinator. Our town has four branches - three are in elementary school media centers, and one is in the local Boys and Girls Club. I am in charge of physically setting up the branches at each location, managing the staff (as well as staffing them at certain times during the week), coordinating special programs for the summer, and keeping the community as well as the school population aware of what is available at the branches. Needless to say, it's alot of different directions I have to go in weekly, but I love the job and all the people I meet.

Burgess

1. Why did you want to become a Librarian?
I didn't "want to become a librarian." I wanted to become a theoretical nuclear physicist, and went to MIT to get the education I needed. However, I flunked out of MIT. I then attended Kansas University (KU), and pursued studies in history, intending to become a history professor. While there I started working in the library to help pay my way. This continued for a while, and eventually resulted in my working full time as the loan desk supervisor at Johns Hopkins University Library. I found that I liked working in libraries, and could do a good job of it, so I went to library school, and became a "real" librarian.

2. What is your job in the library now?
Reference librarian

2.A. What type of library do you work in?
I work in a public library in a medium sized city.

2.B. Main Duties?
Half my time is spent at a reference desk, answering questions and helping people use the library. I also supervise the periodicals division, where periodicals are checked in and displayed for public use.

Bob

1. Why did you want to become a Librarian?
As an AV tech in a JrHi I decided there was more intellectual stimulation in library work. But then I went into the motel business. Years later I saw an opportunity to get into cataloging and found I enjoyed the analytical part of the job.

2. What is your job in the library now?
Cataloging librarian

2.A. What type of library do you work in?
Small to medium size public library

2.B. Main Duties?
Cataloging all non-fiction books (adult, YA, children's, REF, etc.) and all audio books (fiction and non-fiction). Update and maintain the bibliographic database.

Cooper

1. Why did you want to become a Librarian?
I wanted to become a librarian because this profession suits my personality style, and I enjoy doing the types of activities that it involves.

2. What is your job in the library now?
I am the head of a technical-services department in a public library.

2.B. Main Duties?
My main duties are to supervise the technical-services staff; set policies and procedures for cataloging, acquisitions, serials, and processing; perform original and copy cataloging on all kinds of materials.

Mary

1. Why did you want to become a Librarian?
My father suggested it as I have always loved to read:).

2. What is your job in the library now?
Technical Services Librarian

2.A. What type of library do you work in?
Public

2.B. Main Duties?
In charge of Cataloging, Acquisitions, Serials, Ordering of all library supplies and materials.

Mary Ann

1. Why did you want to become a Librarian?
Because I was laboring under the misapprehension that I would be able to sit around and read all the time.  Also, because I loved being around books and around people who were learning things of their own volition and because learning something new everyday was an occupational hazard.

2. What is your job in the library now?
Library Director in a town of 22,000

2.A. What type of library do you work in?
Public

2.B. Main Duties?
Administrative / PR - I hardly ever get to do "real" library work

Lisa

1. Why did you want to become a Librarian?
I was originally hired as the Children Library Associate. Continuing my education with a MLS seemed like a good idea, especially after I discovered that I really liked cataloging when taking the Classification and Cataloging class.

2. What is your job in the library now?
My official title is Catalog Librarian.

2.A. What type of library do you work in?
Public

2.B. Main Duties?
My main responsibility is our Authority file. I add
new authority records and each month I do the upload to LTI and then follow up on the report for unlink headings. I also do original cataloging for all kinds of items.

Jeane

1. Why did you want to become a Librarian?
I've worked in libraries since I was 10 years old and I've always loved the job duties and the atmosphere of unlimited knowledge and entertainment found within the pages of a book.  A library's intellectual atmosphere and my ability to use my talent for attention to detail are major attractions to me.  As someone who works in a public library I get a lot of satisfaction in providing service to my community.  When I was in college I could have chosen to become a doctor or a lawyer or a jungle explorer, and I chose to be a librarian.

2. What is your job in the library now?
I work as a media cataloger at a large public library.  My duties are to catalog videos, audiobooks, music recordings, realia, electronic resources, and whatever else nonprint items the library chooses to purchase.  Other duties have included hiring, training, and supervising clerical staff ; purchasing supplies ; participating in local and regional committees, etc.

Evelyn

1. Why did you want to become a Librarian?
I've always loved libraries, spent a lot of my childhood in them and always adored books.  It just seemed the logical path to follow.

2. What is your job in the library now?
My title is "Head Cataloger".  I am the only MLS cataloger in my library, along with 4 other library assistant catalogers.  We catalog everything from books to DVDs, both copy and original.

2.A. What type of library do you work in?
Medium/Large public library.  We consist of a main branch with 5 smaller branches.

2.B. Main Duties?
Copy and original cataloging of fiction, non-fiction, music CDs, books on tape and CD, and also keeping periodicals updated.

Elizabeth

1. Why did you want to become a Librarian?
I love organizing information, searching for information, and learning.  But the real clincher for me was the computer technology:  librarians deal with the real-world interface of computers and humans, not just the coding and programming.  When Dr. Bert Boyce, the former dean of the library school at LSU, told me, "If you're interested in being a librarian, you'd better be able to live with rapid change because of technology," I was hooked.

2. What is your job in the library now?
Library Computer Center Manager. 

2.A. What type of library do you work in?
Public

2.B. Main Duties?
Among other things (including work as a Reference Librarian), I develop classes and material to teach people how to use computers, computer programs, and electronic resources.

Carol

1. Why did you want to become a Librarian? Originally, because I didn't have to write a thesis to get my MLS and love to read.  Now because I love to work with people of all ages and enjoy the daily challenges. 2. What is your job in the library now? Main Library Coordinator.  I supervise about 20 public services staff and work in the reference dept.  I started as a Children's Librarian for 6 years plus and have been in my current position for 4 years plus. A. What type of library do you work in? Public B. Main Duties? Supervise the childrens, circulation, genealogy, young adult and reference departments.  Serve on the administrative staff.  Do monthly statistics for reference in children's and reference dept.  Do staff calendars for each dept except circulation (only dept with a department Head).  Handle staffing issues in departments.  Deal with patron issues, book donations, volunteers, community service workers.  Head and serve on a variety of library committees.  Coordinate staff projects.  Other duties as assigned.

Jeffie

1. Why did you want to become a Librarian? I received my MLIS in May, and am now the Reference Librarian in my hometown public library.  I work the reference desk, schedule the adult and children's reference desks, train substitutes and staff as needed, do adult programming, help select books (Desiderata) in particular Dewey areas, weed, prepare the Weekly Best Sellers list, and attend meetings. While on the desk, I assign computers and do whatever I can to help patrons with them in available time.
I originally wanted to be a librarian because after doing substitute teaching for several years, I decided I would rather work with kids in a library instead of in a classroom. I thought I wanted to be an LMT until I had an internship in the children's room of a public library.  So I took mostly classes directing me toward children's librarian work.  Then I was offered a job as a reference librarian in my hometown, and I tried and liked it before graduation on a part-time basis.  So here I am.  I wish we were able to get more staff and had better financing in our library, but I do enjoy most of my work.

Mary