Just a head’s up for those looking for a tech job in a library. Last week at Computers in Libraries, I met another Topeka librarian – Alan Bearman, the Interim Dean of Libraries at Washburn University in Topeka, KS. After we got over meeting in DC instead of Topeka, he mentioned a job opening his library has. The job is titled Technology Librarian – in reading the job description (one of many on this page), it sounds like this person will be VERY busy!
What struck me about this position was what Alan told me about it – he is “looking to hire someone to help push the envelope” … and to help “develop a vision for a 21st Century Library for Washburn University.” Sound fun to you? Then go for it!
Not to be a nitpicker, but, delightful as he may be as a person, Alan Bearman is not a librarian. This isn’t one of those “you must have an MLS” rants at all; it’s about faculty getting tabbed to run libraries after multiple failed searches for a new dean. Faculty, no matter how much they love libraries, are ill-suited to run libraries. One could write a novel about how Washburn has ended up in this position, I suspect.
Not to be a nitpicker, but, delightful as he may be as a person, Alan Bearman is not a librarian. This isn’t one of those “you must have an MLS” rants at all; it’s about faculty getting tabbed to run libraries after multiple failed searches for a new dean. Faculty, no matter how much they love libraries, are ill-suited to run libraries. One could write a novel about how Washburn has ended up in this position, I suspect.