The Changing Library Workfoce

Retirement, Retention, and Recruitment: The Future of Librarianship in Colorado

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.

LRS Publications

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

Other Studies

Wyoming Library Workforce Survey 2008: In 2008, the Wyoming State Library administered a workforces study for librarians in Wyoming; WY Workforce Study
Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) (United States): Created by the Museum and Library Services Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-208) IMLS administers the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and is an independent Federal grant-making agency.; Request for Proposals, National Research Study on the Future of Librarians in the Workforce; Grants & Awards - Library Services
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
Canadian Library Association (CLA): CLA's Human Resources & Succession Planning Survey; This presentation summarizes the findings of a small sample study conducted by CLA. Findings reported include projected librarian retirements, level of preparedness, and recruitment strategies.; Presentation

Articles & Miscellany

Cleyle, Su. "A Look at the Generations: Retirements and Rejuvenation of the Library Workforce." Updated 2004, Memorial University of Newfoundland. Accessed January 13, 2006 at http://www.med.mun.ca/chla2004/presentations/Boomers%20and%20Generations%20X_files/frame.htm#slide0040.htm.

Diversity Counts
A study by the American Library Association about gender, race, and age in the library profession. Accessed December 21, 2009 at http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/diversity/diversitycounts/divcounts.cfm.

Hallam, Gillian. "A Worldwide Shortage of Librarians." Updated October 18, 2005, Australian Library and Information Association. Accessed January 13, 2006 at http://alia.org.au/media.room/2005.10.18.html..

Mansfield, Meribah. "Diversity In The Library Workforce." Updated Spring 2004, Ohio Libraries. Accessed January 13, 2006 at http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3978/is_200404/ai_n9404564.

New Librarians - Library Journal
This collection of articles covers various aspects of librarianship for new recruits and their managers. Article titles covering workforce issues include "The Entry Level Gap," "Moving On Out," and "Fixing the First Job."
New Librarians Article Archive