From the Field: (More Than) Ten Reasons Why "Professional librarian" Isn't an Oxymoron

Ryan Deschamps, e-Learning Manager, Halifax Public Libraries, Nova Scotia -- Library Journal, 05/11/2010

My post "Ten Reasons Why 'Professional Librarian' is an Oxymoron" was an experiment in shadow boxing—an opportunity to challenge myself, and to put my own beliefs to the test. My own counters to the ten reasons I gave previously appear below. But first, a comment on some of the reaction to the post.

Simply put, I was inspired by the rigor of the vast majority of the responses, both for and against my view. Discussion and debate are the currencies of our profession, and more broadly, of the democratic society we serve. Responding to my post, people felt angry, validated, curious, and concerned about my questioning of the profession. I take those visceral reactions to be a good sign, and something that should then compel us to explore the root of those feelings.

Many also defied the attempt to classify librarianship one way or another—I heard, pretty strongly, that a lot of people just are librarians, regardless of any external 'status.' I have to say that I feel that way, too. During my undergraduate degree, I told a fellow student that I was going for my MLIS, and he thought I was crazy. I remember him saying all kinds of things about the money, status, and joy I could find elsewhere, while I defiantly re-asserted my future career choice. Now, years later, I’m convinced I made the right choice. I am a librarian too.

We are professionals to the extent that, collectively, we gather and share knowledge and skills so we can improve our community's access to information. We are called to learn more about what our communities need, how they search for information, and what strategies, tools and processes help or impede their ability to find what they need. The value of what we do may seem more obscure than in disciplines like medicine or engineering, but that does not mean it is not still important. Given the role that information plays in the long-term sustainability of our society, we can yet prove ourselves more valuable than critics suggest.

Now, to play my own opponent in this shadow boxing experiment!

1. Librarians Have No Monopoly on the Activities They Claim

Why do we have to define professionalism in terms of basic supply and demand? When the chips are down, the public holds librarians in high regard and trusts our judgment, largely because we have had information training. It is that bond of trust with the community that librarians can claim as their ‘monopoly.’

2. There are No Consequences For Failing to Adhere to Ethical Practices

Licensing and professionalism are two different things. True, the immediate risks are not exactly the same for library patrons we serve. And yet, I pity the librarian who advocates publicly for censorship of controversial reading.

3. Librarianship is Too Generalized to Claim Any Expertise

While I think one can encourage more depth in the coursework for librarians, our expertise lies not in surface learning but in the synthesis of a variety of topics. Studying the management of IT for community development is very different from the study of any of those topics separately.

4. ’Librarian’ Assumes a Place of Work, Rather than the Work Itself

This argument rests largely on a technicality. We are also variously known by alternatives terms like "information professional." Personally, I like "info-monger." But the work we do defines us better than any single term ever will.

5. Peer Review in Librarianship Does Not Work Because There is No Competitive Process to Go With It

One of the most rewarding, yet unsung talents of librarians is their ability to network. This talent more than compensates for any deficiencies in our peer review process. The number of librarians engaging on social networks for professional reasons is evidence of this. When peer-reviewed research is too general or theoretical, librarians turn to their network of colleagues to 'get the real goods.' From experience, I know that librarians share strategies with others to improve service everywhere.

6. Values Are Not Enough

Sure. But values are still a huge part of what makes a professional a professional, and inform our daily efforts. There are a great many things we stand for that others take for granted. Freedom of information and the related role that personal confidentiality plays in ensuring that freedom are two things that stand out, among others.

7. The Primary Motivation for Professionalization is the Monopoly of Labor

Yes, librarians benefit from “ALA Accredited Degree or Equivalent” requirements, but it’s silly to attribute that benefit as a primary or sole motivation. If people entering librarianship were purely motivated by personal gain, would the profession resemble anything like it does now?

8. Accredited Library Schools Do Not Adequately Prepare Students for Library Work

Now the biggie. I had the luxury of studying both Public Administration and Library and Information Studies at the same time, while taking a few Business Administration courses. In public administration, I was much happier with the level of rigor in the courses, but the emphasis within the program on networking and collaboration was, in a word, dismal compared to the MLIS department. In my view, librarians’ ability to network is among their most important skills, especially in the 21st century. In order to connect people to information, you have to be connected yourself to a wide variety of skills and practice areas. At minimum, Library Schools do seem to be fairly good at doing this important task.

9. Competing Professions Are Offering Different Paradigms to Achieve the Same Goals

This one (in my view) is the most challenging consideration. Technology is changing the field very quickly, becoming easier for 'regular people' to use, and more importantly, providing a fun factor to go with it. I can only say that librarians need to continue to adapt if we are to stay relevant. And we’ll have to keep pace as the rate of technological change increases. For the most part, I’m encouraged by the evidence of adaptation I see in our field.

10. Nobody Can Name a ‘Great’ Librarian

Nancy Pearl or Sandy Berman aside, many great people cite a caring and able librarian as one of their greatest influences in life. It is about service. Where would a so-called ‘great’ like Frederick Banting (discoverer of insulin) be, if he could not access information about the pancreas? Great librarians are great because they help great people be great in their own way. We don’t need one person to represent us all if there’s a great librarian working to make a difference in every community.