Using various tables, worksheets, lists, and extensive, current bibliographies of Web and print resources, Dority, an adjunct faculty member at the University of Denver's graduate library school, leads the user through the process of planning his or her chosen information career path. The range of possibilities in information work besides traditional, facilities-based libraries includes information organizations, nonprofit work in associations and foundations, independent business development, training and development, and many types of freelancing. Knowing that life includes shifting priorities, Dority emphasizes the tools readers can use to promote lifelong career resiliency. Whether readers are library and information science students, midcareer librarians, or seasoned professionals, they will refer to this title frequently to sort through their options. Well written, practical, and timely, this resource fits any personal, professional, or career collection.
Susan AweCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
"[E]ncourages readers to plan their careers with an understanding of ongoing changes in information work and the broad range of options open to information professionals, leveraging skills and strengths to meet either traditional or nontraditional career goals. The topics include self-knowledge in terms of career planning, identifying paths (traditional, nontraditional, independent), creating a portfolio, growing a career, thriving on change, creating a career map, and taking charge of your own career. A focus on rethinking what we know and do and putting this in terms that will resonate with nonlibrarians is particularly useful, as is an emphasis on proactively and continuously acquiring new skills and knowledge. Exercises and practical suggestions throughout help readers identify goals and steps they need to take, while extensive annotated resources point to further information. This title belongs on the shelf of every LIS student and new librarian; highly recommended for all professional collections."
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Library Journal, Starred Review
"Dority explores the different professional situations available to LIS graduates, characterizes the duties and salary of each position, outlines the format and content of a career portfolio, and offers ideas for learning more job skills. The end of each chapter suggests additional books, periodicals, articles, and online resources."
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Reference & Research Book News
"Using various tables, worksheets, lists, and extensive, current bibliographies of Web and print resources, Dority, leads the user through a process of planning his or her chosen information career path. The range of possibilities in information work besides traditional, facilities-based libraries includes information organizations, non-profit work in associations and foundations, independent business development, training and development, or many types of freelancing. Knowing that life includes shifting priorities, Dority emphasizes the tools readers can use to promote lifelong career resiliency. Whether readers are library and information students, mid-career librarians, or seasoned professionals, they will refer to this title frequently to sort through their options. Well-written, practical, and timely, this resource fits any personal, professional, or career collection."
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Booklist/Professional Reading
"Although this book is primarily aimed at LIS graduate students, it may also be useful to many already working in traditional library positions, particularly those contemplating a career change….The nice thing about this book is that the author explores all the possibilities; she doesn't ignore traditional library roles but discusses the pluses and minuses of all different types of careers and tries to help readers identify and match their interests….Reading through this book or checking the extensive references will help you think clearly about your goals in life and the different ways to achieve them….For those new to information work, this book is invaluable. For those already working in the field, it is a nice resource for thinking about the work you do and possible career changes."
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ONLINE Magazine
"This professional resource is a practical employment manual for students, new graduates, and seasoned professionals. Full of annotated bibliographies, excercises, and bulleted lists, this book serves as a blueprint for librarians….This book should be recommended reading for Library Science students, and for any librarian who wants to make the most of their career. Recommended."
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Library Media Connection
"Users get two books in one with this source. Dority provides not only information about careers in librarianship but also a workshop approach to maximizing one's career opportunities….it is the workshop element that distinguishes this book from others on library science careers….Dority provides help in developing and nurturing a career. Worksheets and questionnaires encourage readers to explore their own preferences, and discover which path or combination of paths will allow most job satisfaction….I wish I'd written this book. As I didn't, all I can do is recommend that libraries that support library science students purchase it, and that librarians themselves consider it as a personal purchase. Particularly librarians at the start of their careers will find this a helpful guide."
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American Reference Books Annual
"As well as providing a valuable resource for library and information studies students and their teachers, this book is a rich source of information for anyone contemplating a career move or wanting to change jobs within their organization. The self-assessment tools also all the reader to evaluate their satisfaction with their current job and explore possibilities which they may not have previously considered."
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The Australian Library Journal
