Academic Librarian's Career Choice

Abstract

There is currently a shortage of academic librarians in the United States. This shortage is affecting staffing levels at libraries and making it increasingly difficult to fill positions. Pollock (2002) reported that libraries across the nation are facing the same dilemma, “how to fill the growing number of vacancies in the ranks of professional librarians” (p. 94). There are several explanations for this trend. There is a phenomenon known as the graying of the profession. A large number of academic librarians are nearing retirement age and new librarians will be needed to replace them. Crosby (2001) stated that “many experienced librarians are expected to retire, switch occupations, or leave the occupation permanently for other reasons. This will create about 39,000 job openings for new librarians between 1998 and 2008” (p. 9). Wilder (2000) reported, “In demographic terms, librarianship in North America is a profession apart. Librarians are, as a group, substantially older than those in comparable professions, and they are aging at a much faster rate” (para. 1). Lynch (2002) reported that over 20% of the librarians currently employed in the United States will reach age 65 by 2014.

Citation

Luzius, J. (2006), "Academic Librarian's Career Choice", Garten, E.D., Williams, D.E. and Nyce, J.M. (Ed.) Advances in Library Administration and Organization (Advances in Library Administration and Organization, Vol. 23), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 245-262. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0732-0671(05)23006-7