Library Journal article: The Entry Level Gap

Do we have too few librarians? We keep being told that we need to recruit more people to become librarians, yet I bet we all new of new librarians who had a very difficult time finding a full-time job, not because they were incapable, but because there weren't any appropriate positions available.

Here is a well-thought out article in Library Journal on this topic that talks about hiring, mentoring, training, the impact of reduced library budgets and the crisis that will occur. For example:

The evidence strongly suggests that new librarians are neither sought nor considered for even entry-level librarian positions. The evidence also suggests that the jobs that new professionals need to gain vital experience are the very jobs being cut or greatly reduced. This population is being squeezed from both sides. They cannot find viable jobs to apply for nor can they get hired when they do apply. The threat to librarianship is clear: many qualified individuals will abandon the profession if the situation does not improve.

The final paragraph lays out the remedies needed -- basically implementing changes everywhere in training, hiring, etc.

This article is attracting a lot of attention. Please read it too, and then think about what you can do to help entry level librarians.