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Pre- and Post-Retirement Tips for Librarians
Retirement holds many questions for librarians. Smallwood’s volume offers insight, inspiration, and tips for those already retired as well as those thinking about retiring. A raft of veteran librarians, financial advisors, and other experts address * Planning for retirement, and how to leave things in good shape for those continuing your work * The pros and cons of taking early retirement, including financial considerations * How to stay connected to the profession after leaving the job by engaging in part-time work and through professional related activities * Second careers, community volunteering, travel, staying healthy, budgeting, and other post-retirement activities and concernsThis book helps librarians navigate a smooth passage into retirement.
176 pages, Paperback
First published April 11, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 4, 2017
A profession-specific guide to a gracious exit.
"Retirement" and "librarians" are two words that, professionals often joke, don't go together because once you manage to get a job, nobody ever gives it up willingly. However, for people who would like to have a life that doesn't revolve around their job someday, Smallwood's collection is a good guide for those in the infomation professions. Most of the advice herein is not actually career-specific, and can easily be found in other retirement guides. However, the ones that specifically address librarian topics -- such as that aforementioned reluctance to retire at all -- make this volume necessary and relevant to professional collections, even though it's slightly dated (hopefully there will be an update sooner rather than later).
Highlights include "How to Retire Graciously," which is the specific roadmap you've been looking for, and "My Experience Volunteeering with VSO in Ethiopia," which is just a darned cool story. Everything else is either very general or so specific you don't really need to think about it unless you're in a very particular set of circumstances. However, the fact that all of this information is in one place, and specifically pitched to one professional group, makes this a necessary purchase for libraries that support library schools and larger libraries with professional collections. Recommended, on those terms.
"Retirement" and "librarians" are two words that, professionals often joke, don't go together because once you manage to get a job, nobody ever gives it up willingly. However, for people who would like to have a life that doesn't revolve around their job someday, Smallwood's collection is a good guide for those in the infomation professions. Most of the advice herein is not actually career-specific, and can easily be found in other retirement guides. However, the ones that specifically address librarian topics -- such as that aforementioned reluctance to retire at all -- make this volume necessary and relevant to professional collections, even though it's slightly dated (hopefully there will be an update sooner rather than later).
Highlights include "How to Retire Graciously," which is the specific roadmap you've been looking for, and "My Experience Volunteeering with VSO in Ethiopia," which is just a darned cool story. Everything else is either very general or so specific you don't really need to think about it unless you're in a very particular set of circumstances. However, the fact that all of this information is in one place, and specifically pitched to one professional group, makes this a necessary purchase for libraries that support library schools and larger libraries with professional collections. Recommended, on those terms.
July 17, 2018
I'm a bit of a personal finance nut. For me, retirement is a few decades away. I hoped that this collection would have helpful tidbits for information professionals such as myself to plan pre-retirement. There is a lack of information in the personal finance space about how to prepare for retirement when one is working in the public sector or for meager wages in non-profits. The audience of this work seems to be boomers approaching retirement in less than five years. A few chapters seemed a bit out of place. Why is there a chapter on eBay? Instead, there should be a chapter on side-gigs that align with the transferable skills we acquire in librarianship. I liked that there were references and a variety of contributors, but I wish the body matter did not read "textbook."
February 19, 2020
I skimmed through this book, just to see what kind of advice and information it had. It's a collection of articles written by different people, most librarians, some accountants or lawyers. It's 100% focused on Baby Boomers, which makes sense given when it was published. Much of it was still interesting. I'm far from retirement, but the oldest Gen-Xers turn 55 this year...I expect circumstances will be quite a bit different when we (if we?) retire, so hopefully this will get an update/2nd edition!
April 6, 2012
If I ever retire this is book I'll read in preparation for that day. Covers every concievable topic from when to announce to how many times to visit after you leave. Has a detailed section on finance.
February 4, 2016
Essays outline important topics to consider as retirement approaches, such as creating priorities, financial planning, applying for Medicare, and the emotional and mental shifts one faces. Although several years from my own retirement, this certainly has given me food for thought.
January 30, 2012
A good book to read prior to retirement, covering topics of finances, health care and keeping busy. I think I will review it again in a few years.
November 3, 2012
Reviewing for Information Today, January 2013 issue
April 10, 2015
good information, got a few things out of it to think about.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews