It's noisy at the library - venting!!!

[jedi_librarian]

Ok, I'm not your typical "shushing" librarian, but I'm sitting here and there's a LOUD, and I mean LOUD group near the desk. Granted there's programs going on, but between them and the patron who's cell phone keeps barking (dog barking is his ring sound) and the other patron who's on a Nextel phone talking up a storm, sheesh!!!!!! (not shush, sheesh!)

Sorry, I'm just grumpy this evening. Long day. At library job #2.

 

[Lil_Tink]

Our library doesnt allow cell phones and get this. WE HAVE A SECURITY GUARD that takes you off the property if you are disruptive.

 

[Disney Doll]

Tell them to be quiet or leave. Libraries are supposed to be quiet.

 

[disfanRN]

How irritating- but I did want to tell you that you have my dream job- librarian! I would love to be a children's librarian- Just wanted to tell you how jealous I am!!!

 

[mickeymo]

I understand your frustration - I am at the library several times a week either checking out books, or killing time in between appointments...I've noticed an increase in the lack of respect and noise in the library between the cell phones iPods, and "normal" conversational volume - not whispers - it's very distracting.

I wish our library had a restriction on cell phone usage.

 

[jedi_librarian]

How irritating- but I did want to tell you that you have my dream job- librarian! I would love to be a children's librarian- Just wanted to tell you how jealous I am!!!

Heehee! I really do love what I do. It's much more challenging than people think. You actually have to have Masters degree to be a librarian!
I'm not a children's librarian though. I work with adults. I really enjoy it. I answer Reference questions, lead book discussions and teach Internet classes and even get to travel out of state for conferences!

Noisy people and cell phone users have left. So now I can read the DISboards in peace and quiet.

 

[jedi_librarian]

I understand your frustration - I am at the library several times a week either checking out books, or killing time in between appointments...I've noticed an increase in the lack of respect and noise in the library between the cell phones iPods, and "normal" conversational volume - not whispers - it's very distracting.

I wish our library had a restriction on cell phone usage.

Both libraries I work at have restrictions, but of course it's hard to enforce. Especially when they have "incoming calls". They look at you like "I can't help it if someone called me"

 

[mickeymo]

Both libraries I work at have restrictions, but of course it's hard to enforce. Especially when they have "incoming calls". They look at you like "I can't help it if someone called me"

hmm - how about vibrate or off when they enter the library???!!!!

 

[mickeymo]

Heehee! I really do love what I do. It's much more challenging than people think. You actually have to have Masters degree to be a librarian!
I'm not a children's librarian though. I work with adults. I really enjoy it. I answer Reference questions, lead book discussions and teach Internet classes and even get to travel out of state for conferences!

Noisy people and cell phone users have left. So now I can read the DISboards in peace and quiet.

reference librarians are my idols!!! I took my GREs with the thought of going back to school to get my MLS - tried but, because of the small number of accredited programs - they're very competitive...my undergrad grades were good enough for the business world but, 20 years later - not good enough to go back to school...

 

[jedi_librarian]

reference librarians are my idols!!! I took my GREs with the thought of going back to school to get my MLS - tried but, because of the small number of accredited programs - they're very competitive...my undergrad grades were good enough for the business world but, 20 years later - not good enough to go back to school...

That's too bad. I didn't have to take the GRE to get into my school. And yes, unfortunately, there's so few programs out there. There's a LOT of 2nd, 3rd, 4th career people in the library programs, though. Including me - my background is in teaching. So it's never too late to go back. I think at 26 I was the youngest in my program!

 

[HugsForEeyore]

Just saying hi, as I am also a librarian! Our libray is so noisy after school, as we are right next to the local high school and many teens come over to "study" after school. Actually they usually just gab and flirt with eachother, but some teens have really good chess games going, too! By 5:30ish, the teens all leave and the library becomes quiet again. We tell them to shush but it's no use, no one listens and we can't do much about it.

We have no cell phone restrictions, as there is a cell phone going off somewhere all the time. Even our staff has cell phones that are always chiming away with incoming calls.

I am a children's librarian, which was not my original intent - I rather been more into cataloging/tech services, but the only openings were in childrens around here. I enjoy it, but I am very bad with book recommendations, as I don't know every book out there! Also get nervous doing story times, which is the meat and bones of a childrens librarian's duties. But overall, I am glad I got my master's and went changed careers (as my original career went nowhere, anyways!)

 

[jedi_librarian]

Just saying hi, as I am also a librarian! Our libray is so noisy after school, as we are right next to the local high school and many teens come over to "study" after school. Actually they usually just gab and flirt with eachother, but some teens have really good chess games going, too! By 5:30ish, the teens all leave and the library becomes quiet again. We tell them to shush but it's no use, no one listens and we can't do much about it.

We have no cell phone restrictions, as there is a cell phone going off somewhere all the time. Even our staff has cell phones that are always chiming away with incoming calls.

I am a children's librarian, which was not my original intent - I rather been more into cataloging/tech services, but the only openings were in childrens around here. I enjoy it, but I am very bad with book recommendations, as I don't know every book out there! Also get nervous doing story times, which is the meat and bones of a childrens librarian's duties. But overall, I am glad I got my master's and went changed careers (as my original career went nowhere, anyways!)

COOL! Librarians Unite!

You're a brave person. Cataloging was my worst class. eek. I had cataloging nightmares when I took that class and dreamt about looooong call numbers (seriously!!!)

 

[disfanRN]

My jealousy here continues.....and you have me thinking. I already have a bachelor of science degree-those of you who became librarian as 2nd career, what more is involved? Masters in Library Science? Also, if you don't mind my asking, how is the money? Range would be great.

Currently I am a nurse manager, although the money is good (range 75,000-99,000) I am not completely fufilled. I know I would love children's librarian, I adore childrens books and the thought of storytime with felt pieces thrill me to no end!

 

[jedi_librarian]

My jealousy here continues.....and you have me thinking. I already have a bachelor of science degree-those of you who became librarian as 2nd career, what more is involved? Masters in Library Science? Also, if you don't mind my asking, how is the money? Range would be great.

Currently I am a nurse manager, although the money is good (range 75,000-99,000) I am not completely fufilled. I know I would love children's librarian, I adore childrens books and the thought of storytime with felt pieces thrill me to no end!

Yes, it requires a Masters in Library Science. I don't think it matters what your bachelor's degree is in, which is good. I went part time, so it took me 2 1/2 years. Salary wise - for public libraries, the starting range is about half of the nursing range you listed (which is why you really gotta love what you do!) However, school, law, academic, medical and corporate librarians make a lot more money. Many times though, you need more advanced degrees. For example, a law librarian would most likely need a law degree, many academic librarians require another masters, etc.

My background was in teaching, so technically, I could have been a school librarian, but my heart really was in public libraries. And I love working with adults. I know I could have my summers off, but it's better being sane year round! I commend those who are dedicated teachers. It just wasn't for me.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

Hi, another librarian checking in again! I got my masters in Library Science, and my undergrad was in computer science. My comp science degree was too vague in my opinion and I had very few solid skills to sell myself, and found myself constantly unemployed or working on short-term projects. And I was always competing with an international market of people with so many technical skills. Very hard business to get established in, if you don't know the right people to help you get started.

So I looked elsewhere and came up with library science. I kept thinking that maybe in a library, my computer skills would be worth something! Well, after getting my degree (went part-time for three years), the only thing library employers saw was that I had experience with children (as I worked in a preschool years ago; they could have cared less about computers!) and so now I am a children's librarian. I was told that is the area that needs the most librarians around here.

DisFanRN, must say, I don't even make a third as much as you make as a nurse! But some librarian jobs have nice perks and generous vacation time. My library lets new employees have three full weeks paid vacation or more, (long-time employees can get months off!) plus tons of personal and sick days on top of that, and good medical benefits. Unfortunaltey I am not full-time so I get none of those! But I am new to the field and hope to move into a better position someday soon. But I am worried about the lack of money, as there ain't much to be made in this field! But still, I make more as a employable librarian than as a sporatically employed or constantly unemployed IT/computer person! So no regrets at all! You got to love it, and love poverty to be a librarian!

 

[Cindy B]

I really thought about being a librarian. I do substitute in schools so I have been a substitute school librarian and I really enjoyed it.

In some schools, the librarian is also an English/writing/Remedial reading teacher.

We have a new gorgeous multi million dollar library nearby. Its gorgeous and I've never seen anything like it.

It is noisy though. There is a teen lounge/coffehouse area, so that does get noisy, but I sort of expect that. The video game hall is pretty noisy also (yes video games on the big screen with a projector) but thats downstairs.

At least people listen to the Itunes Macs with headphones. There are quiet areas which are wonderful.

If you want to see this www.chplnj.org I don't think that shows pictures but its fabulous looking. EDIT: found a photo on the township website. http://www.cherryhill-nj.com/library/default.asp But you do need to scroll down though.

 

[TinkerBess_SnowTori]

Just a quick question - do all library postitions take a Masters Degree?

 

[jedi_librarian]

No, they don't. There are many paraprofessionals working in librarian positions - you usually just need a bachelor's degree (in any field)
And then you have your clerical staff - those who shelve, the circulation staff, etc.

Those with library degrees are librarians, who help patrons with research, select materials, etc. Catalogers are also librarians with degrees.

In my library, we have a mix of paras and librarians who all work the public desks. And many of our paras are excellent and just as knowledgeable as any degreed librarian. The only exception at my library is that no paras staff the Reference desk. But the paras staff the other desks (Information, Periodicals, etc).

 

[HugsForEeyore]

My library is similiar to Jedi's. We have master-degreed librarians, and we have "paraprofessionals" who may have bachelors or some have masters in other areas. Most of the non-master degree people are clerical or assistants, and work the front desk, periodicals, or reserves. Many of the paraprofessionals are also limited to 19 hours a week so they can't get benefits. And there is a glass ceiling of how much money they can make without the library masters degree.

Librarians with masters of library science degrees can work in reference, childrens, cataloging, Young Adult, or reader's advisory. We can also move up the pay scale, become head of our departments, things like that. We aren't suppose to do the "nitty-gritty" stuff like shelving, but that is basically what I do all day! But overall, it's a nice job where you don't bring home lots of work with you after hours, unless you want to bring home a good book to read!

 

[CheshireVal]

Yuck. I got my Masters in Instructional Technology, with school media certification (I have a BA in English). I was a school librarian for two years after that and I HATED it. I had this idea that I'd be working with books and inspiring children to read and all that.... and, yeah, I did go around to some classrooms and do booktalks....

But so much of the job was paperwork and cataloging and, worse, troubleshooting AV equipment. I much preferred doing "parapro" type things like shelving, checking out books, repairing books, helping kids find stuff, etc.

I actually got reprimanded by my principal because I spent too much time sitting at the check-out desk chatting to students instead of sitting in my office "looking busy." (Yes, that's what she said-- she said teachers would get the idea that I wasn't doing anything if I was sitting up front all the time!)

I have never been so happy to quit a job as I was the day I turned in my notice.

Now I'm an English teacher in a private school and I LOVE it.