by Christine Grace B. Sidchogan-Fuchigami
From orality to literacy. From literacy to digitalization. So much has happened on how we communicate, with how we make sense of our world – and all of it is because of our sustained need for information. Whether it is sought in face-to-face or mediated channels of communication, people will always seek for information. Undeniably, information is the new powerhouse of nations across the globe. However, a study found out that a career related to information is unpopular among senior high school students.
In the study of Allan-Lascano (2021), the Library and Information Science (LIS) program is averagely known to the respondents. Both male and female respondents have similar knowledge about the program. In terms of track, the STEM track has better knowledge about the LIS program as compared to the TVL track. Also from the study, sadly, they did not signify enrolling to the program/course because they already have other courses in mind.
Libraries are the storehouse of knowledge, and the librarians guard and facilitate access to the knowledge resources. Allan-Lascano (2021) then conducted the study to find out about the potentials of the course among her study participants. Highlight results are:
· There was average level of awareness, which means that somehow, they know the librarian profession but may not necessarily be aware of the profession’s significance
· They find it as not really a promising profession or career to take as they prefer popular courses such as engineering, medical-related courses and accounting
· They are not aware that library profession has greater employment in the country and abroad as well
· They perceive the librarian profession as a career with low salary
The researcher then recommended that there is a need to further promote the LIS program. The career orientation could be enriched with success stories of librarians. The use of multi-strategies such as media advertisements and community-based promotional activities may also be done.
Librarians are the front liners to knowledge access. They are not only advocating reading, but really more of facilitating the public to continually seek for informed, credible information. As facilitators, librarians find fulfillment in their profession because they see themselves as people working with the public (Lian and Xiong, 2008); and having the desire to help people access knowledge and their love for teaching (Davis-Kendrick, 2009).
Libraries contain the best forms of knowledge, and librarians help sustain the desire to seek for knowledge. It is but proper that the career opportunities, their roles in the information society and other potentials be made more known to the public to sustain the presence of the ‘guardians of knowledge.’
References:
Lascano, Elizabeth Allan, “Students’ Knowledge on Library and Information Science (LIS): An Option for Choosing a Career” (2021). Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal). 5875. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/5875
Lian, R. and Xiong, J. (2008), “Career choices and career advancement: Chinese American librarians in the 21st century”, available at: https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1032&context=morris_ articles
Davis-Kendrick, K.D. (2009), “ The African Amerian male librarian: motivational factors in choosing a career in library and information science “,Behavioral & Social Sciences
