Librarian — Going extinct or new info superhero?

By 864 • March 5th, 2010

library

Libraries are depositories of information, and librarians are the navigators. A degree in information science certifies these professionals in the study of the classification, storage, and retrieval of huge amounts of data. These days, that data comes by way of books and bytes.

If you haven’t visited your local library in a while, you might be surprised to see DVD’s displayed front and center of the building. In fact, DVD’s are one of the most frequently borrowed library resource. If the local video store is going out of business, the library is a fine alternative; the selection may be slimmer, but borrowing is free.

In this age of information explosion on the internet, some have questioned the necessity of libraries. In her new book, “This Book Is Overdue! How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All,” Marilyn Johnson offers her view of the superhero librarian who “create(s) order out of the confusion of the past, even as she enables us to blast into the future.” The librarian is the new Google Master, helping all citizens make meaning of the information we read and experience. “In tough times, a librarian is a terrible thing to waste,” writes Johnson.