Valuing the Information Professional

Public librarians serve the public in their community. A public librarian deals with a wide variety of ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds. Public librarians have a specific department where they specialize in such as, adult, young adult, or children programs. The ALA (2008) mentions that common librarian duties are: "helping people with homework and research questions, deciding what items to purchase and to discard, offering programs and training, helping people use the internet, building websites, and more." The Occupational Outlook Manual (2008) describes the job of a librarian as those who "use the latest information technology to perform research, classify materials, and help students and library patrons seek information." The Manual (2008) further details the tasks and responsibilities of a public librarian:

"Librarians in user services work with patrons to help them find the information they need. The job involves analyzing users' needs to determine what information is appropriate and searching for, acquiring, and providing the information. The job also includes an instructional role, such as showing users how to find information."

Among those duties librarians also recommend materials, analyze collections, collect and organize books and other materials, coordinate programs, conduct classes, and write grants.

My goal is to work for a public library as a young adult librarian. As a young adult librarian I would have to decide what kind of young adult materials should be ordered for the library, and which ones should be discontinued due to the evolving needs of the young adult population. I would have to analyze and organize our young adult collection. I would plan programs or events geared toward teens. As a young adult librarian, it is essential that I also read catalogues, book reviews, and journals to keep up with the latest trends in teen literature in order to make valuable book purchases for the library and give book recommendations. I may also write grants in attempt to fundraise for my library and increase funding. These are just some of the many responsibilities I would have as a young adult public librarian.

The salaries of librarians vary depending on the individual's qualifications and the type, size, and location of the library. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook (2008), the average pay for local government librarians is $44,960. (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos068.htm) . Maatta (2007) claims that the average salary for female librarians who work for a public library in the northeast is $37,675. Due to my city, credentials, and experience SimplyHired.com (2008) calculated that the average librarian in Rochester, NY (my residence) makes $45,000 annually. Salary.com (2008) estimated the following annual benefit package: my bonuses would total up to $604, my social security benefits would amount to $4,305, my 401k would amount to $3,489, my disability benefits would cover up to $900, my healthcare coverage would be $5,328, my pension plan would be $2,363, and my paid time off would total $7,358.

In 2007, Maatta predicted that the average annual salary in 2008 for new LIS grads would be $41,014. Maatta further mentions that 2007 was a great year for minority graduates, with average starting salaries increasing a full 6%, to $42,333. Surprisingly, female librarians in the Northeast reported 7.02% higher salaries ($41,680) than men ($38,750) who work in the same setting. The average salary for female librarians who work for a public library in the northeast is $37,675. According to Maatta's statistical findings, as a female and minority public librarian living in the Northeast and wanting to work for a public library, the findings are in my advantage.

The National Center for Educational Statistics (2006) states that:

Sources of state library agency revenue are the federal government, state

governments, and other sources, such as local, regional, or multi-

jurisdictional sources. State library agencies also receive income from private sources, such as foundations, corporations, friends of libraries groups, and individuals. (http://nces.ed.gov/FastFacts/display.asp?id=42) State library agencies may also produce revenue through fees that they

charge for services or fines.

Allen (2003) mentions that: "Information agencies such as libraries are public agencies that are funded primarily by tax revenues, and provide most services at no additional direct cost to users". Allen performed a study of public opinion and the funding of public libraries where he finds that the public information agency's revenue is widely affected by political and economic forces: "Supply and demand and the perceived quality of services provided function in public agencies through political processes." (http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1387/is_3_51/ai_102270885/pg_1?tag=artBody;col1) Communities evaluate the quality of services and decide whether the value of the services received is greater than or equal to the total tax costs associated with providing those services. In a nutshell, a low-tax community will have low levels of public service, while a high-tax community will have higher levels of public service. A strong economy also means more revenue for public libraries, but since there is an economic recession occurring, libraries are taking quite a financial blow. Because of public funding cuts, libraries have had to desperately look to private funding sources for financial support.

Coffman (2003) mentions that: "More than 90% of public library funding comes from local and state taxes. Meanwhile, some libraries have begun to experiment with more entrepreneurial approaches." (http://americancityandcounty.com/mag/government_changing_public_library/ )

In many cases, libraries take a leadership role by organizing special events to raise funds for the library; most have Friends of the Library groups that help provide a great amount of financial support. As Price (2008) notes:

"Friends organizations normally have official nonprofit status, enabling them to raise money effectively. Library foundations also help public libraries by providing private funds through campaigns, programs, and other initiatives." (p. 35)

Gilton (2008) describes the functions of the public librarian as one who: "provides information, instructs in information use, and guides people in more recreational reading." (p. 30). Public libraries act as community centers where and informal education is attained free of cost. Public libraries are open evenings, weekends, and summer when school media libraries are closed. Public librarians must supplement the work of teachers and school library media specialists by providing homework assistance and cultural programs to students in order to increase information literacy. Public librarians serve as instructors to people of all ages (from preschoolers to senior citizens) and economic backgrounds (from the very wealthy and educated to the underprivileged and uneducated). Gilton (2008) mentions that public libraries have acted as "poor people's universities and have supplemented school media libraries where they were lacking. Public librarians work with local schools to plan activities and workshops, and also work with teachers to teach information literacy skills to students and faculty." (p. 40)

Public libraries have many contributions to offer to their community as a whole. Abram (2007) mentions that in a major study released by the School of Library and Information Science at the University of South Carolina in 2005, patrons reported that public libraries have accomplished the following: improved overall quality of life, increased local property values, attracted new businesses to the community, attracted patronage to local businesses, enhanced personal fulfillment, nurtured a love of reading, helped manage personal finances or saved money, helped to obtain a new job, helped improve or start business, assisted workers to be more productive their job, introduced users to new technologies, helped users with life-long learning, and helped users with primary education work (p. 7). This proves that public libraries have an immense social and economic value to their communities.

Librarian salaries are distributed and vary by level of responsibility over the work of others. The average salary increases as the level of responsibility increases. For example, a librarian who supervises others will get paid more than a librarian who doesn't supervise. Stilwell (2007) says that in order to attain a higher salary in a job offer: "The key is to focus on your skills and experience and show how they'll be of use to the potential employer." (p. 39) Education is important, but experience is even more important and you should convince your future employer that as a potential employee you will be a valuable asset to the organization. The Occupational Outlook Handbook (2008) notes: "A master's degree in library science is the main qualification for most librarian positions."

After attaining my MLIS degree from SJSU, I believe I will be more marketable and have a higher probability of attaining a job as a young adult reference librarian.

Currently, I have been working for my local library for a bit over a year as a page, and as a library aide. I will continue to work there and gain valuable experience until I graduate. The experience and skills I have acquired through my education and occupation will complement each other, and will in turn make me more marketable. I will settle for a starting librarian salary range of anywhere in between $35,000-37,000, but not less that $35,000. I will have to be strong and outspoken in promoting myself to my future employer and really prove to them that I am worth this salary. If I am offered a salary and benefits package I am not satisfied with I will have my employer negotiate with me, while standing firm in my beliefs of my financial worth to the organization.

When a year goes by in my occupation I will review my compensation package in the annual review process and ensure to my employer that as an employee I meet and exceed expectations in attaining goals. I work well in a team, I am flexible, I contribute more than what is expected. I will tell my employer that I expect a raise in benefits such as insurance, bonuses, or salary, and ask that they consider increasing my benefits because my contribution to the organization is worth more financially that what I am currently earning. Stillwell (2007) recommends that rather than focusing on a paycheck increase, an employee should give equal value to other variables such as benefits or bonuses. Furthermore, I would ask my employer for guidance and advice on how to better myself in the organization and further increase my financial worth.

As far as contributions to the workplace, I will maintain an enthusiastic attitude and remain calm, and composed even in the most stressful situations. I will be sure to be active and effective in ordering the best materials for young adults, and setting up book talks or young adult geared programs to attract teens to my public libraries. I will be very involved in my organization, and not only will I meet expectations, I will surpass them. I will do more than what I am expected and make unexpected contributions that will make me stand out from other employees. After contributing all these things to my library, I will set up a meeting, speak to my supervisor, and explain why I qualify for a raise or an increase in financial benefits.

References

Abram, S. (2007). The value of our libraries: impact, recognition and influencing

funders.Arkansas Libraries, 64 (4). Retrieved September 15, 2008, from Library Literature & Information Science Full Text Database.

ALA. (2008). Types of library jobs. Retrieved September 15, 2008 from, http://ala.org/ala/hrdr/librarycareerssite/typesofjobs.cfm

Bryce, A. (2003). Public opinion and the funding of public libraries. Retrieved September 15, 2008, from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1387/is_3_51/ai_102270885/pg_1?tag=artBody;col1.

Bureau of labor statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. (2007).Occupational outlook handbook: librarians. (2007). Retrieved September 15, 2008, from www.bls.gov/oco/ocos068.htm

Coffman, S. (2003). Financial management/ changing public library funding. Retrieved September 15, 2008, from http://americancityandcounty.com/mag/government_changing_public_library/.

Coffman, S. (2004). Saving ourselves: plural funding for public libraries. American Libraries, 35(2).Retrieved September 15, 2008 from Library Literature & Information Science Full Text Database.

Gilton, D. L. (2008). Information literacy as a department store: applications for public teen librarians. Young Adult Library Services, 6 (2).Retrieved September 15, 2008, from Library Literature & Information Science Full Text Database.

Maatta, S. (2007). What's an mlis worth? Library Journal, 132 (17). Retrieved September 15, 2008, from Library Literature & Information Science Full Text Database

Price, Lee. (2008). Who does the library's fund-raising? Public Libraries, 47 (3). Retrieved September 15, 2008, from Library Literature & Information Science Full Text Database.

Salary. (2008). Salary wizard. Retrieved September 15, 2008, from http://salary.com/ on September 15, 2008.

Simply Hired. (2008). Information services librarian salaries. Retrieved September 15, 2008, from http://www.simplyhired.com/a/salary/search/q-Information+Services+Librarian/l-Rochester,+NY.

Stilwell, J. (2007). Employment compensation. AALL Spectrum, 12 (1). RetrievedSeptember 15, 2008, from Library Literature & Information Science Full Text Database.

U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (2006). State library agencies: fiscal year 2005 (NCES 2007-300). Retrieved September 15, 2008, from http://nces.ed.gov/FastFacts/display.asp?id=42.