persons who are selected, trained, and given responsibility for performing functions generally performed by professionals. They do not require the requisite education or credentials to be considered professionals in the field in which they are working, but they do perform tasks central to the function of the agency...*
In March of this year, Francine Fialkoff, editor in-chief for Library Journal discussed the issues around the paraprofessional label of non-MLIS library staff. She illustrates that the English definition of this term, as someone who is subsiduary or ancillary to roles posessessing more training or higher status, does not satisfy the description of what library staff do. Indeed, as Fialkoff points out, non-MLIS staff perform an array of tasks that need to be recognized and respected.+
Fear that giving library techncian and assistants a stronger title like "paralibrarian" further deprofessionalizes the field is, quite simply, misplaced. The incredible changes that libraries are experiencing as information becomes increasingly central to our culture and society, means that library staff are ALL seeing an increasing complexity to their work. Certainly, very few who use the services of libraries and other information centres make a distinction between a circulation assistant and a reference librarian. As a result, ALL library staff must behave in a manner that is in keeping with the professional and ethical philosophy of the profession. In order to build strong organizational cultures, library administrators need to focus on creating work environments that provide seamless service and opportunities for all staff to continually develop and grow.
Although libraries have existed for thousands of years in many forms, the modern field of librarianship does not have a long history. It is natural, then, to see the traditional views and roles of library work shift with the changing expectations that occur in and around the field. Our philosophy remains grounded in providing access to information for the purposes of knowledge building and this should provide us with the reassurance that changing the definitions relating to our roles and positions will, in all likelihood, enhance the profession. Enabling all library staff to see themselves as professionals by changing job titles and enhancing career development, strengthens the profession. Granted, the issue of salary then becomes part of the discussion. It is important to see that the limited resources that challenge our progress should not be the cause to fight internally, like hungry wolves, over limited budget allocations. Our energy needs to be turned outward to educate our communities about the services libraries provide and demonstrate that those services are performed by professionals who adhere to a set of core values and principles.
Allison Sloan, Library Journal's Paraprofessional of the Year, makes a poignant statement when she says:
Of course there is an important place in libraries for people who do not have an advanced degree but who want to pursue a library career...In Massachusetts we know that, and we call them 'paralibrarians.'**
*Delworth, U. (1974). The paraprofessionals are coming!. Personnel & Guidance Journal, 53(4), 250. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.
+ Fialkoff, F. (2010, March). Not Yet Equal. Library Journal, p. 8. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.
**Berry III, J. (2010). ALLISON SLOAN. Library Journal, 135(4), 26-27. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.
