Message-Id: <mailto:199411260237.UAA14978@library.wustl.edu> Date: Fri, 25 Nov 1994 19:41:55 LOCAL From: "Jacquline I. Ridley" <mailto:ridley@JULIAN.UWO.CA> Subject: Position description To: Multiple recipients of list IMAGELIB
As a new subscriber I hope you won't mind me butting in to a conversation that was posted here recent;y regarding the University of Chicago's position opening for a curator of visual resouces. The academic qualification required was an M.A in Art History. As a recent graduate of an Art History degree and now an (almost) graduate of the MLIS I guess I can wear both hats - but I have to agree that it certainly seems strange that a University of this calibre should not require a professional librarian. I think part of the problem is the fact that the term 'librarian' can be loosely applied to anyone who works in a library, regardless of academic qualification. Our problem as graduates of a recognised program of Library and Information Science is to publicly proclaim our professional status - because if we don't protect our turf it will be taken away from us - witness this ad. I think librarians need to be jealous of their qualification and should start making some noise.I further agree with Ben Kessler who wrote that ideally an academic library might require a specialist librarian with both degrees at the Master's level. In Canada, it takes four years to complete undergrad and two to three years for each additional Master's program. Why should I take the time unless I can be assured of a first rate professional position when I finally get through?