There can only be one...

Service point people! and also one highlander. which they really should have heeded when they decided to make some sequels. But I'm not talking about movies, I'm talking about Libraries.

So I have been rather lax with checking up on my RSS feeds of late, the new job is keeping me from having much time to formulate new stratagems for web interaction whilst I survey my new information landscape where I am positioned. But the first one I did read from Tame the Web was on the Reference Desk is Gone, something that had always bothered me. Previously I've worked in library's that have divided their reference services, and conquered them by having an all inclusive service point.

Almost every library I encounter has a different setup for this, and even in new purpose build ones they seem to be making this division concrete, but with marble to smooth over any such harsh facades. From my customer point of view I find it an unnecessary division, but once again, every library has its own contributing factors at play. Does a library have self checks? RFID? Roving reference? Split over multiple levels? Public/Academic/Specialist? Single institution/part of a network? All of these are influential, but can always be overcome with the right focus.

Probably one of the more notable things I've been able to observe in my years in the industry is the division between the so called professional and paraprofessional castes in the library world. When I first began my rise to library aspirations from the ashes of my historian/archaeologist dreams I was not aware of the segregation in the library ranks. Much like the lay person, I thought you worked in a library, you were a librarian (explaining this to people is always an interesting experience). It is not until you are inside the belly of the beast do that you understand your role, kind of like red and while blood cells working together, but with different functions. Sadly, this leaves little room for growth, and if you want to expand yourself in your role, you may come off with the body perceiving you as cancer. And it shouldn't be like that.

I've actually had this post sitting here for almost a year, but it has bothered me for at least three. Yes, you need the separation in the workplace, but in education as well? Having performed on both sides of this coined stage of discussion, I can say I've enjoyed what both aspects offer, but can see where the large overlap in skills used. And as these skills develop, will what motivates me be more important than any piece of paper reads in my career development?

And as reference enquires continue to decline, coupled with the increase in services offered, will mean education institutions will really have to look again at what it is to be working in the library industry.