American Libraries Magazine publishes "Forbes Folly"

From American Libraries Magazine:

"When Forbes.com published an article in June declaring that a master’s degree in library and information science is the worst type of post-graduate degree based on career earning potential, the reaction from the library community was one of dismay. Librarians responded on blogs, email lists, and various social media, ­emphasizing the noneconomic reasons to earn an MLS—primarily the desire to have a career focused on delivering public service rather than becoming wealthy and also the widely acknowledged high levels of career satisfaction among librarians. (In response to the Forbes ranking, ALA President Maureen Sullivan wrote a statement that was later cited in a Washington Post blog post.)

Yet another major reason why the Forbes.com article received so much traction in the library community is that it reflects the current fears and apprehension that exist among librarians and other public service professionals. The underlying issue is that there’s a significant problem for librarianship when it comes to articulating a public benefit message. In this age of austerity, all agencies of the public good—not just libraries—are under attack."

Read the rest of the article at American Libraries Magazine.

Find out more about how libraries have fared in the face of 21st economic challenges in the Information and Policy Access Center's Public Library and the Internet Survey.

Read about the authors.