Internship Week 10

Another slow week for the internship (but I'm blogging about it as a required class assignment).



Still working on the digital storytelling report. I might have it ready by Monday, but I am also spending a lot of time away from home this weekend for the holidays, so then again I might not. There is no hard deadline on it, but after three weeks I'm ready to move on to a new topic.

The most compelling theme I'm coming across is that everyone has a voice. Everyone has a story (or many stories) to share, even if they're not blogging about it. Even if they don't know how to make videos, edit them cleverly, and upload them to YouTube. Even if they're not being paid to give a TEDTalk; even if they're not comfortable speaking in public; even -- and especially, in the North American library systems -- if their native language is not English. The digital storytelling programs are making these channels available to ordinary members of the public who might not otherwise be able to share their stories with more than a few immediate family members or personal acquaintances. Equal access to information... reversed. Expanded. Empowered. That's great.

I also need to get in touch with my internship supervisor and see if he has had the time to look at the questions I sent him in February. I'm still very interested in what the day-to-day is like in a large public library, and I would like to have his perspective on how the profession is changing and what qualities are necessary and sought out in candidates for entry-level librarian positions. When I was first exploring library schools at the beginning of 2010, the future looked rosy for new librarians: technology was integrating with print media in many new ways, and while the field wasn't overpaid, it seemed as though there would be enough staff turnover/attrition through retirement to allow for an influx of new degree-holders. However, a lot of other people had the same idea, and the older library professionals haven't passed the torch (preferring to stay in government positions with health benefits, and who can blame them?). So the entry level is... well, glutted. At least in areas near LIS graduate programs. This is all familiar to anyone paying attention; I'm just recapping why it would really help to have some insight from the inside at the management/hiring level.