The Changing Library Workfoce

In the fall of 2003, the Library Research Service undertook a survey of library personnel in Colorado, attempting to address the "3Rs" - Retirement, Retention, and Recruitment - in the profession. Results were reported in a number of publications:

Closer Look Report

The full report of the study, this pdf contains 189 pages worth of information.

Quotable Facts

This small brochure hits the highlights of the study.

PowerPoint Presentations

3Rs PowerPoint Presentation given at the 2004 Colorado Association of Libraries Conference.
Quotes from the LRS presentation at CAL

Is there a future in librarianship? (pdf) given at the 2008 Annual Membership Meeting for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of SLA.

Fast Facts based on the study

Librarianship in Colorado Public Libraries

Librarianship in Colorado Academic Libraries

Librarianship in Colorado School Librariaes

Diversity of Colorado Library Workers

Colorado Public Library Paraprofessionals

Articles from The Bowker Annual Library and Book Trade Almanac, 2005

Retirement, Retention, and Recruitment: The Future of Librarianship in Colorado by Keith Curry Lance

Research and Statistics on Libraries and Librarianship in 2004 by Denise Davis

Note: These articles are posted with permission from The Bowker Annual Library and Book Trade Almanac, 2005, published by Information Today, Inc., 143 Old Marlton Pike, Medford, NJ 08055-8750. Copyright Information Today, Inc.

The following publications include articles written and/or edited by the LRS staff.

• Lance, Keith Curry. "Racial and Ethnic Diversity of U.S. Library Workers." American Libraries May 2005: 41-43.
• Steffen, Nicolle, and Zeth Lietzau, eds. "The Future of Librarianship in Colorado." Colorado Libraries 31:2 (Summer 2005).
  • The Future of Librarianship in Colorado: An Overview by Nicolle Steffen and Zeth Lietzau
  • Today's MLIS Students: What's on their Minds by Don Dickenson and M. Claire Williamson
  • Why am I a Librarian? Conversations with a Cross Section of the Profession by Martin Garnar
  • The Resilient Career by Kim Dority
  • Back into the Fold: Strategies for Attracting and Retaining Information Professionals within Librariesby Marcy Phelps
  • Recruitment and Retention in Colorado's Libraries: A State Library Perspective by Eugene Hainer
  • Who Will Replace the Super Heroes? School Librarians and the Retirement Crisis by Jody Howard
  • Meeting Recruitment and Retention Challenges Head On by Rochelle Logan and Art Glover
  • The Decision to Retire: A Personal Story by Nancy Bolt

Wyoming Library Workforce Survey 2008

In 2008, the Wyoming State Library administered a workforces study for librarians in Wyoming

WY Workforce Study

University of North Carolina (United States)

In September 2004, IMLS awarded the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill nearly $1 million to conduct a two-year study of the future of librarians in the workforce. This study is in progress.

The Future of Librarians in the Workforce

Key Documents

Museums, Libraries and Archives (MLA) Council (United Kingdom)

Recruit, Retain and Lead: The Public Library Workforce Study

This study was designed to help recruit, retain, support, and develop a workforce appropriate to the current and future needs of public library service. The aim was to increase the amount, and quality, of information available to library managers and educators to inform decision-making.

Executive Summary

University of Alberta and Tandem Social Research Consulting (Canada)

The 8Rs: Canadian Library Human Resource Study

This two-year national study looks at the important facets of library human resources from organizational and individual perspectives.

Project Overview

Reports