Librarianship as a profession. Source : LinkedIn

I have not regarded librarianship to be anything but a profession, so this is new to me. It does have its odd knacks and differs from country to country, so clue me  in here like a reference interview. Aside from what the authors say, what particularly do you find in librarianship that prevents it from being a profession? Would like to hear viewpoints. Lloyd Wedes http://www.linkedin.com/groupAnswers?viewQuestionAndAnswers=&gid=96413&discussionID=12516332&commentID=11074628&goback=%2Evpf_54398805_1_4FvW_name_*1_Lloyd_Wedes%2Evpf_43715828_1_1enZ_name_*1_Sally_Weimer%2Ehom&report%2Esuccess=8ULbKyXO6NDvmoK7o030UNOYGZKrvdhBhypZ_w8EpQrrQI-BBjkmxwkEOwBjLE28YyDIxcyEO7_TA_giuRN#commentID_11074628 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Dear Prof.Lloyd Wedes, It is my previlege to be interacting with you on this crucial topic of profession and professionalism. As you would be well aware, sociologists, anthropologists ... and now emerging group of scholars known as professiologists ... have engaged themselves in the study of jobs, occupations, careers and professions. Incidentally I happen to be a student of Sociology.....and hence keep my interest alive for years on this topic. A couple of my papers are published in this regard. They are only review papers and not based on my individual research as such. To get back to the question in hand ..... here are my view points...observations : -The status of our profession does not vary very much across countries/nations. -Aside from what the authors say, what particularly do I find in librarianship that prevents it from being a profession? I dont have a point of view as such on this aspect. I am only reflecting on the results of such studies by eminent researchers like : Goode and Hatt, Talcott Parsons, Lancaster, P.K.Jaiswal, H.R.Chopra etc. And I think I do trust and believe the results of these studies. They all unanimously seem to agree that ... the history of LIS as a profession is short compared to established professions like Law, Medicine, Ministry. Professiologists consider LIS to be an emerging profession. Our works are still not being treated as indispensible by others. We have low status and prestige in society. We are not engaged in any life saving ... and crucial avocations. Our identity as Librarians is still not established far and wide. There are alwlays people who will ask...... who are these librarians........what do you do as a librarian... issue and return books......keep books neatly on the racks. Our knowledge base is not still established and accepted as worth while either by sicentists.......social scientists. I once again make it clear........these are not my personal opinions and viewpoints. These are the points that I have  gathered from the research on this topic. -I am not sure if I have answered your question..... the question is not so simple ...  as you can understand. The topic is quite debatable...... and controversial as such not only for librarians......... .but all jobs and careers and vocations......who aspire for the status of a full fledged profession. Thank you professor. Regards Rajashekhar Devarai Chief Librarian Asian School of Business Management, Bhubaneswar, India ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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