ALA Considers "Library Corps" of Retired Librarians
-- Library Journal, 4/7/2006
The American Library Association (ALA) has issued a request for proposal (RFP) for a feasibility study on a proposal to establish a "Library Corps," which would involve retired librarians helping needy libraries. The study would be funded by ALA, along with its divisions. According to an ALA press release, the consultant will determine the need for this service; the interest of retirees to volunteer; the needs and interest of client libraries; the interest of state library and state education agencies to participate; and ways to effectively structure and administer the project. "As Baby Boomer librarians move into retirement, they'll take a wealth of knowledge and experience with them," President-elect Leslie BurgerBurger stated. "This feasibility study will explore ways that retirees can share that experience with libraries that need assistance." The deadline to submit the RFP is May 1, and the study should be completed by August 31.
Not everybody applauded the idea, however. On the ALA Council electronic mailing list, Councilor Michael McGrorty suggested that it was a counterproductive action during a time when new library graduates can't find jobs. "Now we have the situation where the ALA wishes to study how to best put retired librarians to work in the places that would have been occupied by new graduates," he wrote. " Let me remind the originators of this project that retirees already have savings, retirement payments and benefits." Councilor Jonathan Betz-Zall responded, "As a member of the group that originated this idea, and as a librarian who's currently in the job market, I'd like to say that the idea was certainly not to replace positions for new librarians; it's to provide expertise for specific situations where libraries cannot afford to hire consultants….[T]he expertise of the retired librarians will certainly help libraries transform communities, perhaps to the point that they can afford to hire some newly graduated librarians."
