Librarians and Public Service

In an ALA LinkedIn Discussion on Disappearing Jobs, Ed Mertz posted the following:

Have personally had a lot of different types of jobs in my life. Those experiences have taught me that it helps to have good people skills. Some people are simply blessed in that regard. Unfortunately just because someone is intelligent doesn’t mean they have those skills. Yet one thing I believe is that librarians of the past were general speaking a rather mild mannered helpful bunch. Sure there have been exceptions as there are in everything in life. But I think that most people who have worked in libraries in whatever capacity have done it with a certain amount of dignity and sense of purpose. In other words it wasn’t just a money thing. Such an attitude has helped most library patrons feel like they could trust libraries and librarians. Especially because the mission of both public and college libraries have been connected with the promotion of literacy, education and knowledge.

In addition anybody that knows much about the history of libraries realizes how much libraries have changed and how innovated they’ve been throughout the years. However now libraries are finding themselves under attack for not having more of everything! Good librarians know that they can’t be experts in every topic but they can help lead people to reliable sources of information for even the most obscure subjects. Such skill requires a certain amount of humility. It’s that kind of humility and the ability to constructively communicate with others that helps set good library standards.

Whatever direction the libraries of the future take I certainly hope that librarians don’t lose that ability to humanize the collection and decimation of knowledge. Otherwise who knows where the epic journey of librarianship might lead. Simply put like their predecessors, good librarians of the future need to be good public servants who know how present themselves well to both the public as well as their colleagues. But if you don’t believe in the mission of public service then by all means get in the private sector. The private sector really does make very valuable contributions to society. Although I certainly believe that the public sector does as well. However if you think that the public sector should simply disappear, well that opens up a whole new can of worms. Good luck to all you job seekers out there and don’t give up!!!
Posted by Ed Mertz 
I agree with Mr. Mertz.  Librarians have always had the goal of public service.  We talk constantly about re-inventing ourselves for the changing world.  We do need to do this if we want to stay relevant, but is the private sector the only way to go?  I think not.  Libraries--not just librarians--need to be re-imagined in ways that will serve the public and the greater good.  Three cheers for this reference librarian!

The Mission of the 21st Century Library

The 21st Century Library provides:

—An environment where learning occurs

—A forum in which to form intellectual communities

—A place for study and creativity

—A collaborative center for learning

—State of the art technology for patrons to help them narrow the gap of the digital divide

—Research instruction and quality curriculum supporting information sources in the most appropriate formats.

—Space, equipment and support for project development of all types.

In broad terms, this is a more specific answer to the post I made about the role of the library a few days ago. This is in regard to academic libraries, but I think these same goals would be appreciated in a public library as well.  I took inspiration from Snow College's Mission Statement.