"New Librarianship" is a buzzword, especially here at Syracuse, but what does it mean? Here's my take:
New Librarians and people-who-work-in-libraries are two very different things. The latter is a job; there's nothing wrong with that, and I believe very strongly that libraries need passionate, good people to help fulfill their purpose.
On the other end of the spectrum, "Librarianship" isn't a job---it's a vocation.
I was never one for titles and certificates. If you have the drive, the experience, and the know-how to do something or make an impact, you should be respected for that first and foremost (except when it comes to doctors, lawyers, and those aspects of professionalism, of course. The paper always helps ease fears of malpractice..).
This is an amazing time for memory preservation, as Trevor mentioned. We are embarking on so many new technologies that there NEEDS to be people available and knowledgeable to understand where we were, where we need to go, and how to merge the two to maintain order and accessibility. Although the job market might be small right now, that doesn't mean we can't just wait--Those who know need to teach. Those lessons, no matter how small or nonchalant, could spread the seeds of information retrieval and preservation to countless communities that don't think they have an impact.
I like to get paid, really I do. But it doesn't mean I'm going to sit idly by until that happens. Life doesn't stop progressing!
