In a recent LRS study, Retirement, Retention, and Recruitment: The Future of Librarianship in Colorado (3Rs), 1,241 respondents from all types of libraries were asked about their careers, their workplaces, and their attitudes about librarianship. This issue of Fast Facts explores the responses from the 245 public librarian respondents—defined as librarians with a Master of Library Science degree (MLS) or equivalent library credential and working in a Colorado public library.
Highlights from Public Librarian Respondents
- One in 7 said they plan to retire in the next 5 years.
- One in 4 was 55 or older, within 10 years of the traditional retirement age of 65.
- Nearly 2 in 3 indicated “service to others” as a leading factor in making librarianship an attractive profession.
- 4 out of 5 said “low financial compensation” was the leading factor discouraging potential librarians from pursuing a career in librarianship.
- Approximately 1 in 3 had their salary and/or benefits frozen or cut in the last year.
- More than 1 in 5 experienced staff cuts at their workplace.
Click the Download Report button at right to continue reading this Fast Facts.