The document discusses the multifaceted nature of library and information science as a career, highlighting its significance in organizing, preserving, and providing access to information. It emphasizes the diverse roles of librarians, who serve various communities and industries while adapting to changing information needs and technologies. Despite challenges like budget cuts, the profession shows growth prospects and remains crucial for facilitating knowledge access and literacy.

1. Library and Information
Science As a Career Choice
Lumen Christi International
High School, Uromi, Edo State,
Nigeria
A talk given by
David N. Ofili
At the Career Week of
May 17, 2018

2. Library and Information Science
Library and Information Studies
Library and Information Management
Library Archival and Information Studies
Library Science
Library Studies
Information and Library Science
Information and Library Studies
Information and Library Management
LIS
different names…
…in different schools

3. What exactly is it?

4. Library Science
The study of the collection,
preservation, organization and
preservation of information
resources
The study of the analysis, collection,
classification, manipulation, storage,
retrieval, movement, dissemination,
and protection of information
Information Science
a profession that is full of people passionate about
making a positive change in the world, and they tend
to be wildly happy about what they do
Location-based
Document-based
Information organisation
Location-less
Content-based
Information behaviour

5. More…
Library and information science is a meta-discipline, spanning
what are considered traditional academic research disciplines
(e.g., economics, biology, history, etc.). The theories and
practices in library and information science are applied across
disciplines. They are varied and many.
Natural sciences realm is the natural world. Social sciences
realm is the social world. The realm of the humanities is
creative and artistic endeavor. LIS realm is the output of those
other studies. That is, the world of recorded information
produced by human agency

6. Librarians bridge the gaps that exist between
people, information, and technology
“According to one recent survey, over 85% of information professionals
questioned said if they had the choice, they’d do it again.”
Information School, University of Washington
Evelyn: Look, I... I may not be an
explorer, or an adventurer, or a
treasure-seeker, or a gunfighter, Mr.
O'Connell, but I am proud of what I am.
Rick: And what is that?
Evelyn: I... am a librarian.
The Mummy (1999)
Carla Hayden
Librarian of Congress
Of all her professional titles,
she prefers a librarian

7. So, what’s up
with them?

8. IN THEIR
PROFESSIONAL
LIVES, LIBRARIANS
AND
INFORMATION
PROFESSIONALS
DO A LOT
Library and Information Science is
multidisciplinary
Librarians specialize in different
aspects of the profession
Librarians work in different
industries with different missions
The roles are immense

9. Curate collections for groups,
whether local public
populations, engineers
building cars, or scholars in
universities.
Educate people on the
availability and applicability of
information resources.
Organize information for more
effective and efficient access
and discovery.
Preserve our cultural heritage.
Present and make accessible
the various collections of
information.
Build and manage information
retrieval systems using user-
centered design principles.
Prepare our youth to become
better scholars and citizens
and help them develop a
long-standing productive
relationship with information
and knowledge.
Train library patrons on how
best to use the Internet for
information retrieval
Teach library patrons to
become information and
digital literates
Librarian roles include but are not limited to:

10. Study information needs
and seeking behavior to
develop better services
for various groups.
Consider the ethical and
philosophical issues
related to information,
such as access and
privacy.
Manage and improve
information
environments.
Facilitate the creation
and sharing of
information and
knowledge with people
and communities.
Help library patrons
conduct research and
find the information they
need
Teach classes about
information resources
Help patrons evaluate
search results and
reference materials
Organize library materials
so they are easy to find,
and maintain collections
Plan programs for
different audiences, such
as storytelling for young
children
Develop and use
databases of library
materials
Research new books and
materials by reading book
reviews, publishers'
announcements, and
catalogs
Choose new books, audio
books, videos, and other
materials for the library
Research and buy new
computers and other
equipment as needed for
the library
Train and direct library
technicians, assistants,
other support staff, and
volunteers
Prepare library budgets

11. Librarian roles are also
determined by the type and
size of library / information
institution they work for

12. WHAT DO PEOPLE
THINK OF
LIBRARIANS?

13. “Google can bring you back
100,000 answers. A librarian can
bring you back the right one.”
― Neil Gaiman
“In tough times, a librarian is a terrible thing
to waste.”
― Marilyn Johnson, This Book Is Overdue!: How
Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All
Librarians are tour-guides for all of knowledge.
–Patrick Ness
Librarians are the secret masters of the world. They control
information. Don’t ever piss one off.
–Spider Robinson
Librarians’ knowledge is so powerful,
it’s almost like they’re magic
-- Sadie Trombetta
The Ben Carson story
“When the going gets tough, the tough get a
librarian.”
― Joan Bauer
“Never argue with a librarian; they know too much.”
― Carole Nelson Douglas, Cat in a Red Hot Rage

14. Job
Prospects

15. TRUE
OR
FALSE?
The profession is multidisciplinary, so you can work in
any organization -- True
Job openings are always available irrespective of
organization or industry type -- True
Applying for a job does not guarantee your
employment, but another librarian gets the job -- True
Employment is based on the skill, knowledge, and
aptitude the employer is looking out for -- True

16. 5 REASONS
LIBRARIANSHIP
IS STILL
A GREAT
CAREER
CHOICE

17. PAY
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistic
• Library technicians and assistants earned a median wage of $13.43
(₦4,834.8) an hour in 2015.
• Library assistants who were paid the lowest in the industry averaged
around $9.34 (₦3,362.4) an hour.
• Librarians earned an average of $27.35 (₦9,846) an hour in 2015. That's
an annual salary of around $56,880 (₦20,476,800). In 2017, it rose to
$58,520 (₦20,476,800) per year and $28.14 (₦10,130.4) per hour.

18. Upward Job Prospect Trend
• Sure, electronic media has hurt the librarian profession, but it's not severely
wounded. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for
librarians and library technicians and assistants will continue to increase.
• The job outlook from 2014 to 2016 for librarians is expected to increase by 2%,
and library technician and assistant positions will increase by 5%. The fact that
the industry continues to experience growth even if it's slow growth, is a good
sign.

19. Libraries Are Proactively Changing
• Offering movie rentals
• Renting board and video
games
• Renting meeting rooms to
businesses
• Offering power tool rentals
• Renting musical instruments
• Offering free wi-fi
• Providing access to 3D
printers
• Giving out free seeds to
plant
• Providing computer and
tech classes

20. Even Federal Funding Cuts Can't Keep Them Down
Yes, libraries are facing federal budget cuts this year, but it won't decimate
the ability of libraries to function and continuing to operate. According to
the Huffington Post, during economic downturns when libraries don't
receive as much federal or state funding, local communities have a pretty
good track record of stepping in to save public libraries. When they can't
cover operating costs, 87% of communities supported measures to grant
their libraries the funding necessary to remain open.

21. Broad Range of Librarian Jobs
The employment opportunities for librarians are far more
expansive than gigs at small public libraries and schools.
Larger libraries often allow individuals to really specialize in a
specific skill set.

22. User Services Librarians aid
individuals in navigating the
library and finding materials to
conduct research.
Technical Services
Librarians obtain, prepare, and
organize library materials.
Administrative Services
Librarians are focused on the
more business-oriented
aspects of the library (staffing,
budgets, library material
contracts, and fundraising).
Librarians can also work in
nontraditional librarian roles.
Corporate Librarians are hired
by private businesses
(insurance companies,
consulting firms, and
publishing companies) to assist
employees as they conduct
research.
Government Librarians assist
government staff.
Law Librarians work in law
school libraries and law firms.
They organize legal resources
and aid lawyers, law students,
judges and law clerks with
their research.
Medical Librarians help health
professionals, patients, and
researchers find health-related
information. They teach
medical students how to find
information and answer
consumer health questions.
…cont’d

23. QUESTIONS?