I believe that Librarians are often people with specialized training and education – most usually holding an MLS (or equivalent degree or certification) but I agree that there are other folks who become librarians via experience. Many organizations value librarians who arrive by this route; for other institutions the terminal MLS continues to be critical. Whether you are a Librarian with or without an MLS only becomes critical at employment time.

Just like at an accounting firm – many of its employees are certified public accountants, but there are other professionals that work there. They, too, have professional PR people, business consultants, professional records manageer, and maybe even a Librarian.

As you note, while librarians are one kind of information professional, there are many information and other professionals that work in libraries. Examples of information professionals include Intelligence Analysts, Network Administrators, and many more including Public Relations Directors, Development Officers, Accountants, and all types of Circulation/ILL/Tech Svcs Leaders and Managers. I’d also add that Front-Line Circulation Staffers, Technical Services Processors and other support staff might also be considered professional, depending on their level of professionalism* displayed.

So I hope, as you said, that folks share their reasons, no matter who they may be or how they catalog themselves!

* PROFESSIONAL (The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.)

ADJECTIVE: Of, relating to, engaged in, or suitable for a profession: lawyers, doctors, and other professional people. b. Conforming to the standards of a profession: professional behavior. 2. Engaging in a given activity as a source of livelihood or as a career: a professional writer. 3. Performed by persons receiving pay: professional football. 4. Having or showing great skill; expert: a professional repair job.

NOUN: 1. A person following a profession, especially a learned profession. 2. One who earns a living in a given or implied occupation: hired a professional to decorate the house. 3. A skilled practitioner; an expert.

There seems to be a new breed that chose/ or found library land through maybe less traditional paths. It’s great that you have a culture that embraces the abilities your staff has as opposed to the “perceived” roles they are assigned. The most innovate companies have cultures that allow their staff to not only define their role but engage in the work they are the best at.

So, you also could answer why you worked in a library if you interpreted yourself this way. Or you could offer a challenging definition of what it means to be a librarian? Hmmm…maybe we need to do that next?

Thanks for the comment -very interesting.

Cordially,
Lee