RBM: A Journal of Rare Books, Manuscripts, and Cultural Heritage Vol 25, No 2 (2024)
DOI: 10.5860/rbm.25.2.115.
Abstract
Source: 10.5860/rbm.25.2.115.
While many studies related to library job postings exist, they are often not focused on special collections and archives. Those that are focused on special collections and archives usually offer more targeted research (e.g., a specific kind of librarian role within special collections). In order to begin to tackle the broader question of, “What types of jobs have been advertised to the special collections and archives community in recent years,” the authors chose to focus the study by analyzing job advertisements posted on the RBMS News Blog from 2013 to 2021. Specifically, the authors compiled and analyzed data relating to the geographical location of the job, when positions were advertised by month and year, type of institution where the job was located, position term, required degrees, and position title and responsibilities. This RBMS-specific data revealed that almost all the positions advertised were in the United States, with the top states including California, New York, Texas, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania; most institutions represented were universities; a majority of the jobs were continuing, rather than term, positions; most positions mentioned library degrees but did not require them; only 1% were specifically designed for recent graduates; most position titles had “Librarian” in their title; and skills related to management and digital projects were well represented in job responsibilities. The authors note discrepancies between job titles and responsibilities that may be indicative of expanding job duties within the profession.
Gary Price (gprice@gmail.com) is a librarian, writer, consultant, and frequent conference speaker based in the Washington D.C. metro area.
He earned his MLIS degree from Wayne State University in Detroit.
Price has won several awards including the SLA Innovations in Technology Award and Alumnus of the Year from the Wayne St. University Library and Information Science Program. From 2006-2009 he was Director of Online Information Services at Ask.com.
