Spring 2007

Straight from the Stacks was compiled by Laura Townsend Kane. It is meant to serve as a guide to prospective librarians; informing them of different paths and specialties that a degree in Library Science has to offer. Reading this book from cover to cover is a worthwhile activity for anyone considering a career in library science or, even, for those already in the field. The book is arranged by type of librarianship and contains interviews with people currently working in the field. The interviews address key issues of librarianship such as: how each of these professionals has made it to the position they are now holding, what their specific job duties entail, and a forecast for the future of their particular niche of librarianship and the field at large.
One finds through reading the stories of all these librarians that there is no one path into librarianship. All of the librarians interviewed have very unique and widely varying histories and experience. Although it should be noted that most, at some point, have received their masters in library science, these interviews talk with librarians from all walks of life; some who have worked in libraries since their high school job as a page and others who could have never guessed that they would end up in this field. The book attempts to draw from a number of librarian careers interviewing everyone from your typical reference librarian, to corporate librarians and information specialists, to law librarians-even the Associate Director of the San Diego Zoo Library!
Given the wide range of types of librarians their duties and daily routines are correspondingly diverse. There are, however, commonalities. Almost all of the librarians mention technology and its role and usefulness in an information profession. While some librarians emphasize that not ALL information can be found on the internet others, in contrast, challenge the traditional stereotype of the librarian as merely a purveyor of literature. Throughout all the interviews and different aspects of librarianship there is an overall importance placed on continuing education through both formal classes and through keeping up with relevant associations and online chat groups.
When questioned about the future of the field of librarianship most of those interviewed are optimistic. Many emphasize a need to for librarians to evolve and grow with the changing course of information and technology. Some talk about librarianship as a state of mind, an attitude that can extend outside the library. Amidst all the change, many of these librarians suggest that the core of librarianship still remains the same; to serve the patron with current and accurate information.
Through the stories of all those who contributed to this compilation, one learns that the field of librarianship is perhaps not so easily typified. Over the last twenty years the nature of information has drastically changed. This change has allowed those who operate in the field to reinvent themselves and their career, as corporate librarian Susan M. Klopper suggests:
“…and about all that library image baggage which we have traditionally dragged around with us-leave it at home (p.91).”