[Asis-l] New Publication Available

[GSLIS Publications Office]

Now available from the University of Illinois Graduate School of Library
and Information Science Publications Office:

Library Trends, 50(4), Spring 2002
"Midlife Career Decisions of Librarians" edited by Daniel F. Phelan and
Richard M. Malinski

Single copies are $25, including postage. Subscription rates for the
quarterly are: Institutional, $94 per volume ($101 for international
subscribers); Individual, $66 per volume ($73 for international
subscribers); and Student, $28 per volume ($35 for international
subscribers). ISSN 0024-2594 Order single copies or subscriptions from the
University of Illinois Press, Journals Department, 1325 S. Oak Street,
Champaign, IL 61820; 1-866-244-0626; fax: 217-244-9910; e-mail:
journals at uillinois.edu.

The career stages of librarians were once much clearer than they have
become today. The new graduate chose a path (public services, technical
services, or later some aspect of systems) and followed it to retirement,
middle management, or upper administration. The occasional shift from one
area to another occurred, but the librarian who changed from reference to
technical services or from academia to public libraries was rare.

This is no longer the trend for many reasons. Two of the major forces
bringing about this change in the library world today are technology and
aging. Technology has changed the nature of the profession and forced or
influenced some to consider leaving it. Those who stay must cope with the
speed of technological change and the challenge of acquiring complex
skills at an age when learning these new skills is sometimes more
difficult or challenging. The aging of the librarian population has been
well documented (Wilder, 1999; Arthur, 1998). This phenomenon will
drastically reduce the numbers of experienced librarians in the profession
in just a few short years. In addition, with age has come a certain
dissatisfaction and reevaluation of careers and life, especially the
work-life balance. 

--From the Introduction by Daniel F. Phelan

References
Arthur, G. (1998). The "graying" of librarianship: implications for
academic managers. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 24(4), 323-326.

Wilder, S. J. (1999). The age demographics of librarians: A profession
apart. New York: Haworth Information Press.

Articles and Authors Include:
"Becoming a Chief Librarian: An Analysis of Transition Stages in Academic
Library Leadership," Catherine J. Matthews

"Exploring the Sabbatical or Other Leave as a Means of Energizing a
Career," Marlis Hubbard

"Making It to the Major Leagues: Career Movement between Library and
Archival Professions and from Small College to Large University
Libraries," Timothy J. Johnson

"Migrating to Public Librarianship: Depart on Time to Ensure a Smooth
Flight," Ronald G. Edwards

"Maybe It's Not Too Late to Join the Circus: Books for Midlife Career
Management," Marilyn Kay Harhai

"HeLIN Pilot Mentoring Scheme," Anne Brice, Cathryn Brown, Marie Hickman,
and Lis Thorburn

"Midlife Career Choices: How Are They Different from Other Career
Choices?" Candy (Bogar) Zemon

"Job Rotation in an Academic Library: Damned if You Do and Damned if You
Don't!" Richard M. Malinski

"Are We There Yet?: Facing the Never-Ending Speed and Change of Technology
in Midlife," Linda Loos Scarth

"A Work Journal," Katherine Murphy Dickson

"Happily Ever After: Plateauing as a Means for Long-Term Career
Satisfaction," Denise L. Montgomery

"The Effects of Technology on Midcareer Librarians," Marilyn P. Lewis