What is Information Work?
It may be working with the public answering reference questions, working in corporations creating competitive intelligence reports, working for nonprofits doing development research, or working for clients doing industry trend analysis (among myriad other options). But in all cases, it involves working with information on behalf of others.
What is "Rethinking Information Work?"
When most of us graduate with our master's degree in library science, we view our possible career paths within the framework of jobs we might land within the traditional spheres of "being a librarian." Many of us head off for positions as school, public, or academic librarians, while a relative few go after special library jobs. And these are terrific career paths if they fit your skills, interests, aptitudes, financial requirements, and life stage at the time you follow them.
These traditional paths of library science careers can provide extraordinary, richly rewarding careers. However, for those whose interests or professional circumstances dictate other choices, it's reassuring to know that the traditional path is but one of many open to information professionals. That familiar MLIS designation signifies that we possess a stunningly diverse skill set, one that can be deployed in an equally stunning number of places, positions, and opportunities. The challenge comes in rethinking how we frame what we know, and what we know how to do.
What types of work are library science professionals doing with those MLIS degrees?
LIS professionals are managing complex information projects, designing community information systems, taking the lead on extraordinarily sophisticated digitization initiatives, running GIS projects, helping launch cutting-edge information products and services, and creating online communities of practice.
They're taking school libraries onto the web, embedding bibliographic instruction in online learning courses, and experimenting with virtual reference via podcasting. They're answering questions 24/7 for online, for-profit companies, organizing data networks for online auction businesses, and doing collection development for database developers. Library science professionals can be found throughout the nonprofit, for-profit, government, and library worlds - sometimes, but not always, being called a "librarian."
Why rethink information work?
If we reframe our MLIS skill set from "being a librarian" to the larger and more encompassing "information work," then we have choices that can respond to changes in job markets, personal financial requirements, living arrangements, and other professional and life circumstances. We may be information professionals who happily choose to spend our entire careers in the library field, in traditional libraries. But if budgets continue to be cut, staffs continue to be downsized, and jobs become scarce in times of economic crisis, information professionals can always deploy their skill sets in new directions should they need or want to.
And therein lies the key to a dynamic career. The more broadly you consider your career and your professional skills, the more numerous - and rewarding - your career opportunities.