But I think librarians have a hard time marketing ourselves and the reasons why we and our paraprofessionals need specific training for what we do.

Our jobs are much more complicated than the general public realizes (and I don’t have a problem with that. If we’re doing a good job, the general public shouldn’t necessarily be aware.) I think that we actually face more issues today than we have in the past. Look at that librarian in California who got fired for reporting a man viewing child pornography. This is just one example of the many moral and ethical issues that we face on a daily basis.

And the materials we deal with have become more complicated as well. I think reference librarians in general are doing much more instruction, whether you are in a public or academic setting, because the way people find information has changed so much with the internet and other electronic types of resources. Being able to use the resources well requires specific training.

So, I do have problems with people with no apparent interest or background in libraries running the places. I have issues with any staff (MLS or otherwise) who doesn’t care about learning about new things and doesn’t want to be involved in professional development.

Sure, these aren’t necessarily problems unique to libraries. But I don’t think we can use that as an excuse for inertia. It’s time that we make ourselves heard. ALA isn’t going to do it for us. We know there is value in both the library and the professional librarian and well-trained library staff.