Entry 3 - What a Great Place to Work! by Robert F. Moran Jr.

In reading this article, which deals with finding enjoyment or satisfaction in the library profession, I found myself relating very much to Mr. Moran Jr. I think it’s safe to say that, like me, Moran Jr. is somewhat of an Idealist. There is a terrific quote in which he gives his take on the role of the library:

“Libraries are about service, about helping people.
They exist to help children learn about the value and satisfaction
in reading and investigation. They exist in
conjunction with schools-to help teens develop their
minds and discipline through reading and research. They
exist to help adults solve problems and to grow intellectually.
They exist to provide enjoyment of mind and heart for
seniors. They exist as a bonding force in the community, a
growing force for the community.”

Being an Idealist, of course I would relate to this. This is the kind of thing I like to hear. However, Moran Jr. adds practical thought to his ideals, asking “why shouldn’t librarians enjoy their work?” Specifically, why shouldn’t librarians be satisfied and happy in their work the way an artist finds satisfaction in creation?

Most of this article has the feel of being addressed specifically to library managers, with Moran Jr. suggesting ways in which personal fulfillment and job fulfillment should be able to overlap. On the first page under the heading “What Have We Learned About Personal Fulfillment and Satisfaction in the Workplace?” Moran Jr. posits some ideas about the workplace that would make staff “feel more human and less like unthinking tools.” His workplace assessment seems rather general and applicable to almost any working environment. So how does he make the library a particularly special place to work?

The truth is, as far as I can see, he really doesn’t. Besides his savory, Idealistic view about the library that I quoted, most every instance where suggestions are made to improve the library work environment, the word “library” could be replaced by almost any other kind of job. So although Moran Jr. makes some great suggestions to help librarians in their environment, this article could just as easily have been about job satisfaction in any other environment.

Entry 2 - General Interview Questions for Library Employees!

Hey! So here's what I've got.

Of course, there’s no predicting how these interviews will go precisely, but I’ve drafted 10 questions for potential Interviewees, which I hope focus in enough on the Realistic and the Now, as opposed to the Ideal to which I'm always inclined to focus on.

1) Please briefly describe your Title/Position.
2) Can you describe what a typical work week would be like for you?
3) [At this point I will probably ask about the demographics particular to the library I am focused on. Questions will most likely focus on age, gender, and racial statistics and how they effect how that particular library operates.]
4) Since you’ve entered this field, do you find that it is what you expected? How so?
5) How do you view the need for Degreed Librarians?
6) What kinds of changes would you like to see in the future, pertaining both to [this library] and the greater library system? Why?
7) Are there any kind of changes happening now that you are excited about? Why?
8) Do you have any particular regrets concerning your job? What would you have done differently?
9) Do you have any advice for an aspiring librarian—particularly for one who is perhaps more Idealistic than Realistic?
10) What is your view on Graduate programs for Library Science? If you see them as necessary for someone wanting to enter the field, do you have any advice regarding finding the right program/getting accepted/[anything else]?

I hope these questions are straight-forward enough! And realistic. Let me know if I need to go over them further!

Dana