In IST 511 here at Syracuse University, our class was asked to come up with all the things that a library entails, we named all the things a library represents to us, in great detail, but left out the most important component. Librarians. Considering everyone in this class is going to school for exactly that, I found it quite astonishing that it was never mentioned, nor did I even think of it myself. What are libraries without librarians?
The answer: Not much. Who do knowledge seekers, scholars, and students seek out when they need help or don't know where next to turn? Librarians. Let's say a library held all the books, references, charts, technology, and information you could ever need, but it did not have a single librarian. How would you even begin to go about finding anything or know how to properly search, seek, or scour stacks of books, charts, and information to find what you are looking for? It likely would not be possible.
On the other hand, I make it sound as if our only job is to assist people with finding books, resources and information when in reality, it is so much more than that. Librarians preserve information as well as literacy by making it possible for others to obtain these things.
Ultimately, where would we be without librarians? Certainly not taking this class.
The answer: Not much. Who do knowledge seekers, scholars, and students seek out when they need help or don't know where next to turn? Librarians. Let's say a library held all the books, references, charts, technology, and information you could ever need, but it did not have a single librarian. How would you even begin to go about finding anything or know how to properly search, seek, or scour stacks of books, charts, and information to find what you are looking for? It likely would not be possible.
On the other hand, I make it sound as if our only job is to assist people with finding books, resources and information when in reality, it is so much more than that. Librarians preserve information as well as literacy by making it possible for others to obtain these things.
Ultimately, where would we be without librarians? Certainly not taking this class.
