Confessions of a local(ish) guybrarian
Or why being a librarian is much cooler than you think
Presented by:
Matthew “Buzzy” Nielsen
Assistant Director, North Bend Public Library
This presentation is licensed under a Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution
November 2, 2009 United States license. For more information, visit http://www.creativecommons.org.

The stereotypical librarian
Source: Archie McPhee

And the not-so-stereotypical
Source: http://www.cinemotions.com

Famous librarians
Melvil Dewey Source: Oregon State Library

Famous librarians
Laura Bush

Famous librarians
Mao Zedong Source: Richard.Fisher on Flickr

Famous librarians
Batgirl Source: Wizard Magazine (2006)

A question
What do you think a librarian does?

What lots of people think
“It must be nice to be
able to read all day.
”

It’s all about the books
Image source: "Pile of Books in the Prague Library," callumscott2 on Flickr

And books are pretty darn cool
Image source: “bookshelf," chotda on Flickr

But it’s not just about books
Image sources: "All of my DVDs," nickstone333 on Flickr " A few CDs," Spushnik on Flickr

In fact, it’s not just about
checking stuff out.
Children’s storytimes Checking stuff out
and programming
Making library items findable
Selecting and managing
library materials Lectures and
public programming
Teaching classes Answering questions
Helping people with (Unclogging toilets)
computers and technology

Why I love being a librarian
(cleverly disguised as a rundown of what I did last week)

Why I love being a librarian
FREE!
(1) People like libraries.

Why I love being a librarian
(2) We help people. Image source: epSos.de on Flickr

Why I love being a librarian
(3) No two days are the same. Image source (drunk guys): stev.ie on Flickr

Why I love being a librarian
(4) We’re continually learning.

Why I love being a librarian
(5) Seeing the latest technology. Image source: http://www.sonystyle.com

Why I love being a librarian
(6) Going out into the community.

Why I love being a librarian
(7) Thinking of new ways to reach people.

Other misconceptions
“ You mean you need a
degree to do that?
”

My path to librarianship

A myriad of acronyms
Master of Library Science
Master of Information and Library Science
Master of Library and Information Science
Master of Science in Information
+ Master of Public Policy

Jack of more than one trade?

What to do with a library degree

A question
What do you think you
can do with a library degree?

“ That town has a library?
”

A starting point
Source: http://www.currycountylibraries.org

Libraries in all shapes & sizes
Ann Arbor District Library
(Public Library)
University of Michigan Libraries
(Academic Library)
Pacific High School Library
Oregon State Library
(School Library)
(Special Library)
Image sources: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor District Library, Tedder on Wikipedia, Oregon State Library

It’s not just at libraries

You’re a master of something
that everyone needs
Master of Science in Information

You’re a master of something
that everyone needs
Information

Questions?

Thank you.
Check us out on the Web:
http://info.cclsd.org./non
Follow us on Twitter:
@nblib
Download this presentation on slideshare:
http://www.slideshare.net/nbpl/on-librarianship