The Blogbase

I am finally finished!!!

With my database, that is.

In my Young Adults Materials Class our final project was to create a searchable database for young adult materials. We were to include basic information such as title, author, and publisher, among other pieces of information. Additionally, we had to create a reader's annotation, plot summary, and a personal evaluation. Our database needed to consist of 50 resources composed of at least 30 books with the remaining 20 open to other materials such as DVDs and games.

We could use any format that we liked (excel, word, wiki) so long as it was searchable. I chose to develop a blog; hence, the uber-creative name, The Blogbase. Please check out my blood, sweat, and tears! You'll see that I even threw in some extras for good measure ;)

Why Do You Have To Go To School To Be A Librarian?

This is the question I get a lot. Although it isn't so much of a question as it is a joke. "You have to go to school to be a librarian!?! Ha ha ha..."

I can't say that I blame people given that there are so many stereotypes of librarians and the stereotypes are constantly perpetuated in the media. I remember when Sarah "The Pitbull" Palin was newly announced as John McCain's running mate, there were a lot of sexy librarian jokes on television. Mostly, we picture old spinster librarians sitting at a desk shushing people.

With that said, I have to put to rest the notion that librarians are the people you see at the circulation desk at the library checking patrons in and out or that they are the ladies you see shelving books. Don't get me wrong, at times they very well may be librarians; however, they are most often some sort of clerk, book shelver, or volunteer.

In a Masters program, we do not learn how to wave the wand at the circulation desk to check out books nor do we learn how to shelve books. We surely do not learn how to dress up as Mother Goose and read to your children. No, no... that is not in the curriculum.

If you would like to know, here are some great resources. The American Library Association has published a set of core competencies of librarianship and I think they may help to give people more of an insight into the knowledge and skill set we need to have upon graduation. Additionally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes an occupational outlook handbook that includes the outlook for this profession.

Don't get me wrong though. I love making fun of myself so if you laugh about me being a librarian or about librarians in general (which would be kind of weird to laugh at librarians in general, but...) I will probably laugh with you. I like the idea of learning about the whole pencil skirt, cardigan, and eye glasses attire (with a bun, of course) anyways. Plus, lets face it... I am a nerd and I am okay with that!