Re: [ha-Safran]: Recruiting Judaica Librarians
I would like to commend Eliezer Wise for raising the issue of recruiting future Judaica librarians. While I am neither a Judaica librarian nor a member of AJL, I do think this is an important issue. Unfortunately, however, I understand all too well when Mr. Wise states that "Many responses range from complete resignation to the dreary outlook to total apathy." Why do I say this? Two and half years ago there were a number of posts on ha-Safran complaining about the recent AJL dues increase (I think from $25 to $50), and the difficulty of paying such dues on the salary of a Judaica librarian. In response, I posted a message to ha-Safran in June 2001 suggesting that AJL consider increasing its fundraising efforts to help reduce the reliance on dues to cover operating expenses. In my message, I asked "Does AJL have a development/fundraising committee? If not, why not?" Two and a half years later, I just looked at the AJL website, and I counted 15 committees, but no committee which appears to devote even part of its time to raising funds from outside the AJL membership/community. Thus my skepticism that anything will result from Mr. Wise's post (I hope I am wrong to be skeptical!). I would like to make some suggestions regarding the recruitment issue. First, I think it is late to be targeting library school students to become Judaica librarians. A more proactive approach would be to recruit from among undergraduates majoring in Jewish studies, talking to students in their junior or senior years. I think the library profession generally does a poor job of publicizing career possibilities to undergraduates - perhaps this explains why relatively few of my library school classmates were recent college graduates, full-time students, or even in their 20s. Another possibility is to coordinate with the National Yiddish Book Center and make the Center's summer interns more aware of Judaica librarianship as a career option. I would also like to suggest that one of AJL's committees be charged with responsibilities for outreach and recruitment efforts. The Publicity or Scholarship Committees seem best related to these tasks. And I will raise once again the issue of fundraising. The Jewish community in America as a whole is quite successful. According to the website of the Jewish Funders Network, "the number of Jewish foundations has more than doubled in the past seven years to approximately $30 billion in assets." Clearly there is no shortage of funds out there. And there are Jewish cultural organizations that focus on books and archives that have been quite successful at raising funds. Why is it that AJL -still- does not have a committee dedicated in large part to fundraising? Fundraising could help in several areas related to recruitment and salaries. Money could be raised to: * help cover AJL operating expenses, thus reducing the need to have dues cover such costs * increase the funds available each year for convention travel stipends * cover part of the costs of the annual convention * pay for a brochure to inform students and others about Judaica librarianship careers * pay for a brochure for synagogue and school librarians to explain to library users what they do, and why supporting their library financially is important * create paid internships for undergraduate Jewish studies students to spend a summer or a semester assisting a Judaica librarian * pay for increased distribution of the AJL newsletter among Jewish studies students * increase the funds available for scholarships for library school students Whether my above suggestions have merit is another issue, but those are some of the ideas that came to my mind. As Judaica librarian salaries are set and paid for by the institutions which employ the librarians, other than suggesting the possibility of "named" librarian positions, I don't have any other ideas on the salary issue at the moment. Considering that much of this post has to do with suggestions about fundraising, some people may wonder if I will put my money where my mouth is and make a contribution to AJL. At this point, my answer is "not yet." I could make a contribution if I chose to, but quite frankly, if the AJL leadership/membership isn't going to make an effort to help themselves by fundraising outside the AJL community, why should I contribute? Or, as Mr. Wise quoted from Hillel in opening his message, "if I am not for myself, who will be for me." Should AJL form a committee or make an effort to raise money from outside the AJL community, as an individual who used to do fundraising research for a non-Jewish non-profit, I would be willing to contribute some of my time to suggest and research foundation and/or individual donor prospects. And I would then also consider making a small financial contribution. Before I close, I'd like to apologize to anyone who found the tone of my note too blunt or overly critical. But I think it is overdue for AJL to make an effort to
Re: [ha-Safran]: Recruiting Judaica Librarians
Amen, well said! You have stated exactly the biggest reason why I am working for a college library and not at some Jewish collection (including a very interesting historical institute at which I was once interviewed for a cataloging position...). Kimberley Shaw Wellesley College Library [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I would love to work in Judaica Librarianship when I finish my library Master's program. I currently work as a middle school librarian. The hope is that when I complete my degree, I will be able to find a position in a Jewish library that will have a pay scale that allows me to support my family. Currently, I volunteer as my Temple librarian. Between work, school and two kids, there is not as much time as I would like to devote to my Temple library. To bring qualified, intelligent people into Jewish libraries, the salary offered will need to reflect what can be earned in other libraries. School librarians are paid about the same as teachers, and we all know how underpaid teachers are. Jewish libraries need to at least come close to creating livable salaries for their librarians. I hope and pray that I will be able to find such a position. Patti Stein Librarian == HaSafran - The Electronic Forum of the Association of Jewish Libraries Submissions for HaSafran, send to: Hasafran at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listserver at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 at osu.edu AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org/
RE: [ha-Safran]: Recruiting Judaica Librarians
Was that an online or an onground course... I would have loved to have taken it. Steven -Original Message- From: Pastcan Ben Sent: Friday, December 12, 2003 12:38 PM Subject: [ha-Safran]: Recruiting Judaica Librarians One possible solution to the problem in recruiting Judaica Librarians is to offer classes in MLIS programs on Judaica Librarianship. This semester I have had the blessing and fortune of taking a Judaica Libraries class with Mr. Stuhlman, a professor at San Jose State University. He is wonderful and very knowledgeable about the subject of Judaica Librarianship. I think to recruit MLIS students into the field of Judaica Librarianship, there should be more classes in this field offered. Shabbat Shalom, Ben == HaSafran - The Electronic Forum of the Association of Jewish Libraries Submissions for HaSafran, send to: Hasafran at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listserver at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 at osu.edu AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org/
RE: [ha-Safran]: Recruiting Judaica Librarians
I would love to work in Judaica Librarianship when I finish my library Master's program. I currently work as a middle school librarian. The hope is that when I complete my degree, I will be able to find a position in a Jewish library that will have a pay scale that allows me to support my family. Currently, I volunteer as my Temple librarian. Between work, school and two kids, there is not as much time as I would like to devote to my Temple library. To bring qualified, intelligent people into Jewish libraries, the salary offered will need to reflect what can be earned in other libraries. School librarians are paid about the same as teachers, and we all know how underpaid teachers are. Jewish libraries need to at least come close to creating livable salaries for their librarians. I hope and pray that I will be able to find such a position. Patti Stein Librarian == HaSafran - The Electronic Forum of the Association of Jewish Libraries Submissions for HaSafran, send to: Hasafran at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listserver at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 at osu.edu AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org/
RE: [ha-Safran]: Recruiting Judaica Librarians
A number of years ago AJL had a committee to produce just such a brochure. Does anyone remember what happened to it? Outreach is a definite item on my agenda. We are trying to make a dent, but maybe it is time to make a concerted effort to reach library students. Susan Dubin Off-the-Shelf Library Services === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 at osu.edu AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
RE: [ha-Safran]: Recruiting Judaica Librarians
Might reference to salary averages listed through ALA or SLA be of help? Would SJL want to do a program at ALA on the joys of Judaica librarianship? Also, there is a New Member Round Table of ALA and a nmrt listserv, as well as one for library school students. You never know who among these people might be a candidate for Judaic librarianship, but not seriously considered it before. Ellen Zyroff === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 at osu.edu AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
RE: [ha-Safran]: Recruiting Judaica Librarians
As a recent MLS graduate (Sept '03 - QC), I believe this may be in fact a great step towards outreach to potential Judaica librarians. Nowadays, students are looking for internships as a means to "bridge the gap" and to gain hands-on experience in the field, which is certainly beneficial to the students and libraries. Students can get a feel for different libraries and departments within. The truth is, ALA has student chapters, SAA does too-- I would have been interested in a student AJL chapter if it were available. Perhaps links between non-student chapters and established ones as a mentor-mentee project would be beneficial. As a graduate of an MLS program with a significant Jewish population this may have been interesting. Additionally, wearing another hat, as the former president of the Queens College Graduate School of Library Science Club, I had the opportunity to schedule library tours and site visits for a limited number of students (i.e. about 20) per trip and a bus to go to ALA Midwinter. It may be wise to get email addresses of Library Schools nationwide and have them send out emails regarding AJL and especially the upcoming conference-- just about every library school has a listserv. Library schools often like outside lecturers to come in to speak about the "library world," this may be a suitable forum to discuss AJL, your individual library, and the field of Judaica librarianship. Best, Tina Weiss -- === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 at osu.edu AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
Re: [ha-Safran]: Recruiting Judaica Librarians
I support Eli's comments in many ways. It sometimes feels that librarianship has been sinking in status since I was in school (1970-71), and that it probably has never had much status. The ubiquity of web'based services and online searching from home has certainly not enhanced our community's identity. I would not be quite as harsh on the AJL as he is, though. We have recruited students in various schools (even as the number of LS's has shrunk) over the past years, and have encouraged attendance at the Conventions through our subsidies and the scholarships. It isn't much, but it isn't nothing, either. It is also instructive that the ATLA is also trying to recruit. From my own travels, discussions with minister-friends, and peeks into church libraries, they are frequently more dismal than ours. I see it as a comment on the importance we (as Jews and as librarians) place on the need for access at the local level. The fact that our members are not paid (there is another posting today about that issue) is regrettable, but true. In the end, I am not entirely happy with our situation, Eli. There is indeed more we can do. There are ways to act that we need to move toward increasing our numbers, our significance, and our involvement. But I would not say we are either without resources, either. Fred Isaac Oakland, CA === Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 at osu.edu AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
RE: [ha-Safran]: Recruiting Judaica Librarians
I am a new (and volunteer) librarian for a Reform temple in West Central Florida. Before I joined AJL and ha-Safran, I was under the impression that synagogue librarians are largely volunteers. Are there any statistics for me to see regarding how many are paid and how many are not? And if there are no statistics, are you willing to give us a show of hands one way or the other? Thanks, Linda Wexler Ariel Goldman Memorial Library Temple Ahavat Shalom Palm Harbor, FL == HaSafran - The Electronic Forum of the Association of Jewish Libraries Submissions for HaSafran, send to: Hasafran at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listserver at lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 at osu.edu AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org/
