library

5 Reasons Librarian Is Still a Great Career Choice

Samantha Stauf — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 09:30:32 +0000

Financially savvy individuals know better than to dive headfirst into a dying industry. When a job breathes its last breath, employees will be left scrambling to locate a new job that utilizes the same skills and pays around the same amount.

A few years ago with the rise of digital media, I wondered what would happen to all the libraries. I imagined buildings abandoned, shelves empty, save for the occasional battered book, and everything covered in layers of dust. However, libraries aren't going anywhere anytime soon. And librarians and library assistants are still relatively stable career prospects. Here's why. (See also: 6 Great Side Jobs for Book Lovers)

1. Salary

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, library technicians and assistants earned a median wage of $13.43 an hour in 2015. And even the library assistants who were paid the lowest in the industry averaged around $9.34 an hour. If you pursue a library assistant job, chances are you will be paid above the federal minimum wage. When you throw in the fact that the job doesn't require you to invest in an expensive college degree, it's a pretty solid employment opportunity.

The only downside is that a lot of the job opportunities are currently part-time, but that applies to a lot of jobs that don't require a college degree. This job can be a steppingstone to a far more lucrative librarian job. Librarians earned an average of $27.35 an hour in 2015. That's an annual salary of around $56,880. Even the lowest paid jobs within the industry paid an annual salary of around $33,810. The only downside is that to become a librarian, individuals will need to earn an undergraduate degree and a masters in library science.

2. Upward Job Prospect Trend

Sure, electronic media has hurt the librarian profession, but it's not severely wounded. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for librarians and library technicians and assistants will continue to increase.

The job outlook from 2014 to 2016 for librarians is expected to increase by 2%. And library technician and assistant positions will increase by 5%. The fact that the industry continues to experience growth, even if it's slow growth, is a good sign.

3. Libraries Are Proactively Changing

Public libraries have been making major changes to remain relevant in an increasingly digital world. Here are some of those changes:

Offering movie rentals
Renting board and video games
Renting meeting rooms to businesses
Offering power tool rentals
Renting musical instruments
Offering free Wi-Fi
Providing access to 3D printers
Giving out free seeds to plant
Providing computer and tech classes

4. Even Federal Funding Cuts Can't Keep Them Down

Yes, libraries are facing federal budget cuts this year, but it won't decimate the ability of libraries to function and continuing to operate. According to the Huffington Post, during economic downturns when libraries don't receive as much federal or state funding, local communities have a pretty good track record of stepping in to save public libraries. When they can't cover operating costs, 87% of communities supported measures to grant their libraries the funding necessary to remain open.

5. Broad Range of Librarian Jobs

The employment opportunities for librarians are far more expansive than gigs at small public libraries and schools.

Larger libraries often allow individuals to really specialize in a specific skill set.

User service librarians aid individuals in navigating the library and finding material to conduct research.
Technical service librarians obtain, prepare, and organize library materials.
Administrative services librarians are focused on the more business-oriented aspects of the library (staffing, budgets, library material contracts, and fundraising).

Librarians can also work in nontraditional librarian jobs.

Corporate librarians are hired by private businesses (insurance companies, consulting firms, and publishing companies) to assist employees as they conduct research.
Government librarians assist government staff.
Law librarians work in law school libraries and law firms. They organize legal resources and aid lawyers, law students, judges and law clerks with their research.
Medical librarians help health professionals, patients, and researchers find health-related information. They teach medical students how to find information and answer consumer health questions.

Libraries and librarians have continually fought to remain relevant as technology has rapidly changed. Due to the hard work of librarians, library organizations, and many others, library based careers are still a lucrative career choice.

Have you considered pursuing a career as a librarian? What has your experience been?

This article is from Samantha Stauf of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

7 Modern Reasons to Visit Your Local Library Today

Andrea Cannon — Fri, 12 Feb 2016 11:30:04 +0000

The library is filled with adventure and wonder for kids and adults of all ages. Going to the library is a rewarding pastime that many of us already enjoy. So rather than twiddle your thumbs and wonder what you're going to do on your day off, here's why you should head over to the library.

1. Personal Development

Visiting the library can encourage reading and exploration in children. Children can learn at every turn. Even being responsible for returning books on time can teach some basics of responsibility.

Studies have shown that students who visit the library tend to have better test scores than those who don't. Studies have also shown that reading can aid in brain development in young children, so it's important to read to them and encourage them to read and visit the library from a very young age.

2. Free Stuff

The library is home to a wealth of free items, such as:

Free newspaper, magazine, audiobook, CD, DVD, and video rentals: You'll have access to much more than just books. It would cost a fortune to try purchasing all of these sources of reading, music, and videos, but fortunately, the library has access to much more than your home library and entertainment center could ever store.
Free eBooks: Thanks to Amazon's library lending program, you can now check out a Kindle eBook for two weeks before it is deleted from your digital library. It doesn't get much better than that.
Free Wi-Fi: Who isn't looking for free Wi-Fi every once in awhile?
Free computer and Internet access: You can research whatever you need and have access to a computer whenever you need it.
Free adult classes: These can range from academic training like GED classes, to creative ventures like art and poetry classes.

3. Library Events and Programs

Libraries offer all types of events and programs for bookworms. You can enjoy everything from author readings to health workshops. Every library is different, so you can't expect anything in particular, but some activities commonly provided at the library include:

Author readings for adults and kids
Poetry circles
Story circles for kids
Puppet shows
Family films
Special programs for children
Book discussions
Reading programs and summer events
Used book sales
Workshops like knitting and parenting skills

4. Unusual Discoveries

You can find rare, out-of-print material at your local library that you won't be able to find elsewhere. You'll also be able to find old and used books for sale at a great price, so make sure to keep your eyes open for any of their cheap book sales.

If you haven't been to your local library, you may be shocked to find what kind of food and shopping options they have. For instance, the Los Angeles Public Library has a gift shop, restaurant, and café inside, but it could all be easily missed if you don't know what you're looking for and don't take the time to really map out your library and find out what they offer.

5. Opportunities to Bond With Like-Minded People

The library is full of other bookworms. You can bond over your favorite books and love of literature. Libraries often promote local businesses, so you can also find out more about local artists, businesses, and even book clubs.

And the librarian probably has an abundance of useful information and recommendations. Just let them know what you're looking for and they can help you find the right book or answer any questions you may have. (See also: 17 Cool Jobs for Book Lovers)

6. Quiet Personal Space

We all need a bit of personal space, and the library can provide the quiet reprieve you need. It's a great place for reading, working, researching, or just relaxing. There are always comfy chairs and corners at the library where you can enjoy a great new book and expand your mind.

The library is brightly lit, so you won't have to squint your eyes to see the words on the page. Add that to the cool environment, quiet atmosphere, and endless rows of books, and you've got a very calming way to relieve stress and relax.

7. Book Rentals

Most importantly, once you become a member of your local library, you can rent all the books your heart desires. When there's a book that everyone's buzzing about, or a novel you want to read before it's turned into a film, you can borrow the books for free from your library. Knowing that you need to return the book can also encourage you to finish the book by the return date.

Be honest, after reading a book once, you probably won't read it again. So, it will just take up space on your bookshelf and gather dust. Instead, you can rent a book in any genre, read it, and return it for free. Imagine all the money you'll save.

Do you have other great reasons for visiting the library? Please share your thoughts in the comments!

This article is from Andrea Cannon of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Back to School: Saving on College Textbooks

Kelly Kehoe — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 10:36:41 +0000

Heading into the fall semester, many new college students and their families may be shocked by the prices of textbooks, which generally range from $50-$200+. Some community college students may even find they’re spending more on books than tuition. (See also: 40+ College Resources for Parents and Students)

Inflation on college textbooks is nothing new; the United States’ Government Accountability Office has been studying this trend for years. On average, the GAO reports, the cost of textbooks increases approximately 6% per year. In between December of 1986 and December of 2004, the cost of textbooks tripled.

This news is devastating for those who can barely afford the ever-increasing rates of college tuition, let alone the books that accompany the courses. If you don’t want to be on the hook for hundreds of dollars of textbooks each semester, check out the following techniques to help you keep costs down.

Rentals

A relatively new concept in recent years is textbook rentals. This option has its pluses and minuses. For one, you can usually rent a hard-copy book at a significantly lower price than if you had bought it outright, and you’re not stuck with a textbook you’ll never read again after the semester is over. On the other hand, buying a used textbook might be more cost-effective than renting in some circumstances, and if you miss the turn-in date, the fines you pay are steep.

An alternative to renting hard-copy textbooks is digital rentals. Since there are no paper and ink costs, these are generally much cheaper and easier to carry around (on your tablet or laptop) than a heavy textbook.

Cost Comparisons

If you’re looking to buy books, don’t immediately jump on your college bookstore’s bandwagon without doing a little research first. Online sites such as Chegg, Amazon, Powell’s Books, and Textbooks.com offer new and used books for sale (and some offer rentals), sometimes at much lower prices than what you’d find in your college bookstore. Case in point — I recently found a book I need for a psychology class for less than $5 on one of these sites, while my college’s online bookstore priced the exact same book at $45!

Buying a textbook without comparing prices from other stores or websites is like buying a new car at sticker price. Don’t get caught in this trap!

If you’re looking to sell last semester’s textbooks, check out BookScouter for the best comparison service. Just type in the title or ISBN number, and BookScouter will show you a comprehensive list of all the sites that are buying your book and how much they’re paying. Selling books, although not a full return on investment, is a great way to cut down on the cost of books for next semester.

Co-op

If you’re taking a class with a friend or colleague, consider splitting the cost of the textbook(s) and sharing the book throughout the semester. Or, if your friend already took the class, ask if you can buy or borrow the book at a discounted price.

School Bulletin Board

These aren’t just for club announcements; with permission obtained from the school, some people sell their textbooks by posting for-sale signs with phone number clippings at the bottom. These aren’t always the lowest prices, but call them up and see if they’re willing to haggle.

Google Books

Sometimes, textbooks are legally available online for free. Check Google Books or other credible sites before purchasing your textbooks; you may find that you don’t need to buy or rent the book after all.

The Library

As with Google Books, the library is a great resource when it comes to finding textbooks without the exorbitant cost attached. Contact your professor or the library itself to see if there are any copies of the current or older editions of the textbook set aside for students.

What about you? Do you know any clever ways to save money on textbooks? Tell us in the comments below.

This article is from Kelly Kehoe of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

7 Free Ways to Get Out of the House

Debbie Dragon — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 10:36:41 +0000

If you work from home or simply spend most of your free time at home, you may be looking for something to do that gets you out of the house for a few hours. If you’re on a tight budget, leaving the house can seem nearly impossible, since most activities or events you think of will probably have a cost associated with them. Here is a list of seven free ways you can get out of the house and enjoy some social interactions or get a change of scenery. (See also: How to Be Frugal (Without Being a Hermit))

1. Visit Friends

It doesn’t cost a dime to spend some time visiting friends! Get on the phone or send an email to some friends you haven’t seen in a while, and ask if they’d like to get together and catch up. You can simply say, “When would be a good time for me to stop by? I’d love to catch up!” and chances are, your friend will invite you over — getting you out of your own house for free and giving you both the benefit of social interaction. Once you reconnect with several of your friends, don’t be surprised if you start getting phone calls and email invites to events and get-together’s more frequently.

2. Go Hiking, Biking, or Walking

There are hiking trails all over the world, and many of them are free to use. You can find trails by state and location with TrailLink website. Not only will this activity get you out of the house for free, but you’ll enjoy the great outdoors and get exercise at the same time. You might also considering joining a local group on Meetup.com for hiking, biking, or walking.

3. Go on a Picnic

You don’t always need an actual destination to get out of the house. Pack your lunch or dinner in a cooler and head outside. You can enjoy your meal in your own backyard, or visit a nearby park and do some people watching. (Or bring a book or magazine in case there is no one else out and about.) The fresh air will help clear your mind and reduce stress.

4. Visit a Park

Even if you don’t like to eat outdoors, you can still visit a local park. Walk around the park and enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of the area. Try to meet new people, or simply enjoy being in different surroundings and give yourself permission to relax. If you live near a national park, consider going for the day. More than half of all national parks never charge an entrance fee; others have free-entrance days. Find out where the parks are located and when they offer free admission by visiting the National Park Service website.

5. Go to the Library

If you don’t regularly visit the library, you may be unaware of all the community resources the library offers for free. Not only can you check out books, but you can often borrow movies and music as well. The library has an extensive magazine and journal selection, most have computers and internet access for the public, and many will host free community events. Visit your local library to see what it has to offer, and don’t forget to look at the community bulletin board to see what else is happening in your area.

6. Go to a Free-Admission Museum

Many museums have free admission. Other museums have certain days each year where they do not charge admission. This is a great activity for a rainy or cold day, when you are looking for something to do indoors but still want to get out of your own home. Read How to Visit a Museum for Free to for information on how to find local options.

7. Go to Free-Admission Festivals

Most communities will put together a variety of events and festivals throughout the year for people to attend. There may be live music, plays, or outdoor festivals held during the warm weather months that offer free admission. You can go and walk around and socialize even if you don’t buy anything from the vendors. Farmers markets are another opportunity to get out of the house for free — and even though the vendors are set up to sell their goods, it can be fun just to walk around and see what everyone is selling.

Like this article? Pin it!

This article is from Debbie Dragon of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Free Databases and Manuals at Public Libraries

Frugal Duchess — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:25:37 +0000

While attending a free library event, I checked out valuable information resources that could save time and money. Free car repair manuals, do-it-yourself roof repair guides and language lessons are all available with a few keystrokes, according to Ellen Book, branch manager of the Pinecrest Branch Library.

That free database is not unique. Across the country, public libraries offer vast collections of research and information.

''We try to find what's most useful,'' Book said.

You'll need a library card to tap into most systems. ''Sites like ours are hidden from search engines,'' Book said. "A library card is the gatekeeper.''

For my local system, the link to the database is on the home page and I must enter my card number before gaining access. If you are overwhelmed by the quantity of information, request an online tour from your librarian. Once you're familiar with it, you'll be able to access the database from home, an Internet café or any computer with an Internet connection.

Here's a guide to some of the bytes and bits of information available at most libraries:

Auto repair center

Do you need information about a specific car model? Illustrated auto guides are available by model and year. There is also advice on specific types of repairs with do-it-yourself instructions.

Homework help

Encyclopedias, newspaper articles, magazine features and academic journals are available online through the library. I also took an electronic tour of a biography resource center, a census database and an ''Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center,'' with links to a variety of political and social essays, which are ideal for school debates.

For high school and adult students, there are guides to help you prepare for college and professional exams.

Home repair center

Check out the illustrated home center guides, featuring topics from A to Z. For example, the roof installation section is popular and matches a demand that standard books can not fill, Book said. ''We can't keep enough roofing books on the shelf,'' she said.

Editor's note: Sharon Harvey Rosenberg (The Frugal Duchess) will be joining Wise Bread as a full time blogger in August. In the mean time, she'll be dropping by with a few guest posts a week. You can find more great tips from Sharon in her book Frugal Duchess: How to Live Well and Save Money or in Wise Bread's new book 10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget.

Can't wait until August? Here are other great posts by Sharon on her blog The Frugal Duchess. Enjoy!

Selling the Car, Jewelry & Other Stuff to Raise Cash

Sell the Coach Bag? What I'm Willing To Give Up for Financial Security

Shocking Results from My Free Energy Audit

Tips for Preparing for Home Ownership

How to Save Money on Hair Coloring (Sorry Jamie Lee!!)

This article is from Frugal Duchess of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

DVDs Freer than Free--No, Really, Really Free

Catherine Shaffer — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 03:00:38 +0000

I noticed Paul's interesting article (NEVER Pay for a Redbox DVD Rental Again ) about using Redbox codes to rent movies for free, and in theory, I am all for it. But we don't have Redbox nearby, and I would never manage to return a movie in 24 hours with my crazy life. Fortunately, I have a diabolical method of getting movies for free. Even free-er than Redbox free! Nowadays, I laugh as I drive by Hollywood video. Why did I ever pay $4 to rent a movie? Why, God, why?

Here's the secret. I use the library. I know that's not really a secret. It was even mentioned in the comments to Paul's post, but then quickly dismissed and/or ignored. I think the idea deserves to be revisited. See, most people assumed that you can't get the videos you want at the library, especially new releases. But I've been getting just about any DVD I could ask for from the library using the computerized request system. I combine this with my reading wish list, enter my requests, and a few days later, I get an email saying my DVDs are waiting for me. I even put in electronic requests for materials that are not on loan, because I am too darn lazy to go to the shelf and look them up alphabetically. I just walk up to the hold shelf, grab the materials with my name on it, zap them through the self checkout, and walk out without paying a dime.

The library has a full selection of new releases, and also popular television shows. We do maintain a netflix subscription, because there are some things we haven't found in the library. However, lately I have been experimenting with interlibrary loan for books. If the book is not found in the library catalog, you get the option to "search other libraries" and the system will look for your selection in the interlibrary lending system. I wasn't sure if this option existed for DVD's, so just now I went to my local library web page and searched for a DVD I was pretty sure they didn't have. Sure enough, I found it in a library in a neighboring town, and was offered the opportunity to request it.

Since I've been using the library pretty heavily, I've noticed something interesting. A lot of other people are, too! I have one book on request in which I started out as the 135th request. It may seem like, with a month-long loan period, I would never get the book, but when I looked at the record, my library owned 45 copies, and was in the process of acquiring dozens more. That means that the library is not as much of a free ride as we thought. They are a major purchaser of books, DVDs, CDs, and other media, using taxpayer dollars, and there's no need to feel guilty about using it. They seem to keep enough books in stock so that the hold queue is about three deep. So for a book with 140 holds, they owned 50 copies. That seems completely reasonable to me.

As it turns out, the hot books, movies, and cds are perpetually loaned out, and your only chance of getting them is to use the request system. (I always figured that mostly if I couldn't find it on the shelf, I couldn't get it from the library.) Waiting for things really hasn't been a problem, since new requests are coming up for me every few days. My biggest challenge has been keeping up with all the material I have requested. In fact, my Netflix queue has gone rather stale since we got a big batch of DVDs from the library. There is no limit on the number of items you can take out. You can keep DVDs for a week, and if no one has requested them, you can renew them nearly indefinitely. My library sends me an email a few days before materials are due, and I have made it part of my daily routine to pop in to the library web page and check my list of checked out items (up to 35 items right now!). If something is due that day, I try to renew it, or put it on the shelf next to the door to drop off on my daily errands. Often, at the same time, I swipe my holds from the hold shelf. (You do need a good home organization system for library materials if you are going to have a lot of them. I try to keep the DVDs near the TV, or on a shelf by the door.)

I don't know if I've talked you into using your public library more. I may have talked myself in to canceling my Netflix subscription! We already canceled our cable subscription and are frankly not missing it between DVD rentals and the odd iTunes purchase for very new TV shows. To ease the transition, at first we bought some current TV shows on iTunes for our son, but very quickly we weaned him onto older stuff we could get from the library. He is enjoying Looney Tunes now every bit as much as I did in my childhood, and we get them FREE from the library.

But if you're still with me after all of this, here is an extra bonus for Michigan residents. Libraries in Southeast Michigan are loaning out free tickets to area museums now through October. Tickets are available in twos or fours for a long list of museums both big and small, including the DIA and other major attractions.

Now, I expect the next installment in the Wise Bread DVD rental category will be about how to get someone to pay you to rent them. Anyone?

(Life has been pretty busy lately, but I'll be back soon with more entries in my real estate rental series soon.)

This article is from Catherine Shaffer of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: