Do you like people? Good.

Do you like books? Good.

Then you should consider a career as a librarian! So says a 1947 career film, available for viewing at www.archive.org.

Obviously things have changed: librarianship today includes a technological component combined with a thorough understanding of information management. This skill set allows librarians to work in a variety of workplaces. "Information technologists" have, in recent years, been lured into the corporate field with greater opportunities and cash incentives. As a result, it is predicted that libraries will suffer a librarian glut over the next decade.¹³

The traditional library environment is the subject of a campaign aimed at new young recruits. The website for the American Library Association's Office for Diversity includes a list of links for Getting to Know 21st Century Librarians, featuring some of the regular image-busters—to demonstrate just how hip things are at the library these days.

Circa 1947

Circa 2003

Lib-X

Having gone to all this trouble to attract young recruits, the library will have to adapt to accommodate the particular attributes of Generation X employees, who are used to a more fast-paced environment. While there has been a number of studies in the library literature on this group as a target market, only recently has the attention been focused on how to attract and keep Gen-Xers as colleagues.¹⁴

Because we are different.

We are techy, savvy, multi-task like a hurricane, and welcome a challenge.

We arrive with advanced technological skills, varied life experiences, and multiple tattoos.

We know that the term "sensible shoes" might one day refer to footwear with locator devices, and patrons will look up at a big screen in the library lobby and know where to find us.

We want to be heard. And we know how to blog.

asknettieday.blogspot.com