What's Wrong With Graduate Education?

I just finished reading Mark Taylor's op-ed in the New York Times End the University as We Know It. It is well worth a read and I recommend checking it out.

He makes a compelling argument as to why graduate programs need to be seriously revised in order to help make them relevant to the modern world. I have to say that, by and large, I agree with his argument. I do, however, think that it is somewhat different when it comes to library programs, such as the one here at UW-Madison. The focus of our program is professional; it's objective is to produce competent and knowledgeable individuals practicing what they have learned in the field. In many other programs, though, it seems that there is a an over-abundance of supply to demand. One example to that springs to mind is someone I know with a PhD in English who works where I used to delivering library books. Now, there is nothing wrong with delivering books for a living. I did it for a 2.5 years. But it is not what he wants to do.

The more experience I get with the university the more I think that a few shakeups in the basic structure of education wouldn't hurt. And while library programs could probably be shaken up themselves, I think that many programs could learn something from us and the way we have adapted to current needs.

Public Library Association Workshop on Serving Diverse Populations

Because demographics in the United States are increasingly changing PLA is offering a two-day intensive workshop in Houston to help librarians learn how to better serve diverse populations. Read more about it here.

Towson University Albert S. Cook Library Residency Librarian Program

Since it is the season when soon-to-be library graduates are looking for jobs (including myself) I thought that I would post some of the employment opportunities I have found focused on promoting diversity, starting with the following:

Towson University Albert S. Cook Library Residency Librarian Program

A Week of Good News and Events

Red Cliff Library Reopening

After having been closed for over a year the Red Cliff Library is reopening with limited hours and fueled by volunteer power. Earlier this month our tribal libraries, archives, and museums class had the opportunity to visit with the tribal government and other important stakeholders on the reservation. At that time it was decided that a number of volunteers would get the library tentatively open again on April 20, with a grand reopening to follow. We helped organize and clean the library in anticipation of this event and look forward to hearing how the reopening is going.

You can read more about our trip and service-learning work at Red Cliff here.


Loriene Roy

Well, I forgot to promote it here before it happened, but this last Wednesday and Thursday we have the honor of having past ALA president and library professor at UT-Austin Loriene Roy come speak with us at UW-Madison about indigenous librarianship. She highlighted many of the things that have been going on in the US regarding indigenous librarianship, but also spoke at length about international initiatives such as the ones by IFLA and the International Indigenous Librarians' Forum. She is one of the advisers for the ongoing American Experience documentary series We Shall Remain and a great speaker.

If you missed the first episodes of We Shall Remain you can still see them at the PBS website.