Rethinking Information Work: A Career Guide for Librarians and Other Information Professionals

by G Kim Dority

As the field of information science continues to evolve, professional-level opportunities in traditional librarianship--especially in school and public libraries--have stalled and contracted, while at the same time information-related opportunities in non-library settings continue to expand. These two coinciding trends are opening up many new job opportunities for LIS professionals, but the challenge lies in helping them (and LIS students) understand how to align their skills and mindsets with these new opportunities.The new edition of G. Kim Dority's "Rethinking Information Work: A Career Guide for Librarians and Other Information Professionals" gives readers helpful information on self-development, including learning to thrive on change, using key career skills like professional networking and brand-building, and how to make wise professional choices.

Taking readers through a planning process that starts with self-examination and ends in creating an actionable career path, the book presents an expansive approach that considers all LIS career possibilities and introduces readers to new opportunities. This guide is appropriate for those embarking on careers in library and information science as well as those looking to make a change, providing career design strategies that can be used to build a lifetime of career opportunity.

Has Introduction, 10 Chapters, 3 appendices, Index

Introduction to 2nd edition - xiii (note - 1st edition, 2006)
1. Rethinking Information Work
2. Self-Knowledge: Your Career Starting Point
3. Traditional LIS Career Paths
4. Nontraditional LIS Career Paths
5. Independent LIS Career Paths
6. Understanding, Describing, and Documenting Your Value
7. Thriving on Change
8. Building Professional Equity
9. Getting from Here to There
10. Improvising Your Resilient Career

Appendix A - Special Interest Groups
Appendix B- Career and Employment Resources
Appendix C - LIS Blogs and Social Media

Genres: Nonfiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Margot Note · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have or are currently working towards your MLIS, this is a MUST READ. It empowers you as an information professional--at any stage in your career.

[Sinistmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really great general career guide for the information professional--it talks about the pros and cons of different types of jobs (academic, public, freelance, special libraries) which was really useful to see. There was also some useful advice on building a plan and making sure you are able to build a resilient career.