I think it’s pretty clear from my writing here that I am enjoying my time in library school. I can’t write too authoritatively yet- after all, I am only 4 classes in, but what I have seen is useful, practical, AND theoretical.
The program I am in owes a lot to Dr. Becky Pasco. Were it not for a meeting over coffee with her last summer, I may not have forayed into Library Science. She has been a librarian, she knows a lot about libraries, and she’s EXCITED about libraries. It’s easy to get negative about something after years of practice- I believe that’s true of any career. After years of seeing the worst of a profession, it’s easy to start complaining and never stop. The thing that amazes me about Dr. Pasco is that she maintains positivity, but she doesn’t ignore all the negative out there. It’s a fine line, and not easy to walk. (Please forgive my gushing. I have read several negative views about library school, and I’m so thankful my experience so far has not been the same.)
The Annoyed Librarian has written a lot about her dislike of LIS professors. I can understand her ire somewhat. I have had many conversations with my dad about his general dislike for academia, even though he comes from a family of educators. Many of their reasons are similar.The Annoyed Librarian posted about Theory and Practice in Library Education recently. She talked about how LIS professors are detached from what they teach, but excuses other areas in academia. Honestly, I think many subjects can suffer from detachment, not just library science. Take business- full time business professors can face the same problem of full time LIS professors- they become detached from the field they are trying to teach. But this doesn’t always happen. Business teachers usually stay connected with the business world, and, as far as I have seen, library science teachers stay connected with the library world. I’m sure it’s not always true, and some students are bound to have less than stellar classes.
I have to say I am a big fan of adjunct teachers- I was as an undergrad as well. Adjuncts brought in practical view points that were missing from the regular faculty. Any school should strive for a mixture of theory an practice. Theory will give the student experience in looking up from the day to day and ask the big questions- Where are libraries going? What is our purpose? And practice will allow the student to learn the actual day to day functions of being a librarian.
This whole issue is one of the big reasons that I am glad to go to a school that requires a practicum. I will get experience that would otherwise be impossible to obtain.
Edit: “Scott” posted a great follow up post to the Annoyed Librarian’s post on Theory and Practice in Library Education.