An Argument for Tech Skills
Caveat Lector has a strongly-argued piece suggesting that library students should learn how to work with and manage technical aspects of library work as part of a basic MLIS education. It made me think about (and feel pretty good about) our education at SLIS. Yay!
As the author says,
When I was in library school, I had to learn how to do a reference interview, although I never intended to be a reference librarian. When I was in library school, I had to learn the basics of MARC, although I never intended to be a cataloguer. When I was in library school, I had to learn what a finding aid was and how it was put together, although I never intended to be an archivist. When I was in library school, I had to learn the basics of management and budgeting, although (at the time) I did not think I’d ever end up in library management.
That’s just the reality of a profession with several specializations. You learn the basics of things you’ll never actually do. Nothing wrong with it at all, and no ideology about “the core of the profession” required to justify it. “This is something librarians do” is enough.
When I was in library school, I was not required to learn how to run a server. I was not required to learn how to evaluate software and hardware acquisitions. I was not required to learn about laws relating to library patrons and computers. I was not required to learn about digitization. I was not required to so much as learn how to create a web page, never mind learning to program!
She makes a good case that this stuff is important enough, and likely enough to be part of our jobs, that it’s a good idea to cover it. I think our program does cover more than hers apparently did: we had the Information Technologies course, which addressed evaluation and purchase of computer systems, working with vendors, etc., and even tried to teach us to design a web page, (although I sure couldn’t replicate that without some serious refresher study).
And of course we’re talking about digitization and preservation issues right now, in this course, and have discussed legal issues of copyright, filters, and so on in other courses. This course isn’t required, so it falls a little short of her ideal there, but at least we’ve got it.
I am both comforted by her post (we’re getting some exposure to things a smart working librarian thinks are important; our skills may be relevant!), and somewhat motivated to go learn about programming and how to run a server (because those are the things I think we’ve covered the least from her list).
On second thought, that’s probably not going to happen while school is in session. But hey, maybe in CE.
Anyway, the post, which goes a lot farther than my quotes, and ties into the discussion of deprofessionalization of library roles, seems pretty reasonable to me: she feels that we need to know this stuff, because it’s a crucial part of the library today, and if we don’t know it non-librarians who do know it will come in to take up the slack. Server management, web design and programming is part of the work of libaries and may be part of a lot of the jobs out there, and we should be aware of this, have some idea of what’s involved, and be ready to learn to do this kind of work if called on.
“Learn a lot of stuff,” I guess is the message I get here, and it’s a hard one to argue with. Although it does put another layer to the list of things I still need to study!
I do wonder if for the sake of professional heritage that we’re not clinging too hard to the generalist mentality. One of the slogans of the open source community is do one thing and do it well. I wonder if it would be worth while to adopt that motto for a library school education? Maybe take one semester to teach a gigantic 9 hour “Intro to Core Librarianship” class that gives folks an intro to everything mentioned in the post you cite above in a condensed form. That way folks can get the concept, the vocab and a little hands on practice with everything, enough not to be lost if they’re called upon to do say a little collection development in the read world. Then in the next two-three semesters they can take advanced and directed study courses in the area that they ultimately want to work in, culminating in a mandatory internship in that subject. While I know that this is more of librarianship as trade, than librarian as profession, some people are only looking for a trade. For those looking at it is a profession, their advance coursework would reflect that. I just feel that 16 weeks is too long for some subjects, that you can learn the gist of them in four sometimes. For other subjects, like advanced reference or advanced cataloging, it is perfect. Anyway, I’m just musing, and am not sold on this as a solution. It’s good that you posted about this, and I hope other folks will contribute their thoughts.
Comment by JTF Burgess — March 6, 2008 @ 2:33 pm
That’s an interesting take on the topic, and I could definitely see an argument for something more like what you describe. I do appreciate the ‘get a decent idea of all the different aspects,’ though—if only because, hey, maybe you never thought you wanted to be a cataloger but you wind up loving it! Indecisive people like me want to explore options.
Comment by A'Llyn — March 6, 2008 @ 3:10 pm
This is interesting. As the field of computer sciences and information technologies has evolved, I believe the profession of librarianship has evolved as well. IT professionals used to “know it all” - networking, programming, security, software, hardware, etc. Now, it is so diverse and broad that no one can be an expert at it all … there are areas of specialization. Kind of like medicine today … there is so much information today that physicians can no longer “know it all” … there are specialists, point-of-care tools, etc. The same may be true for librarianship. I think continuing education (whether formal or information), at the very least, will be essential for us.
Comment by Cathy — March 9, 2008 @ 3:59 pm
I think it would be a good idea to specialize at the MLIS level, if only to allow students more time to hone advanced skills. So far, I’ve been fortunate that my electives have dovetailed nicely with the type of job I’d like to get, but other students should be able to structure a meaningful program, not just depend on the vagaries of course scheduling.
Now if they’ll just get that Digital Libraries course online before I graduate.
Comment by Greg — March 9, 2008 @ 7:40 pm
Greg, ask and ye shall receive!
http://www.slis.ua.edu/schedule/ss08sch.pdf
Comment by slm — March 10, 2008 @ 9:27 pm