I also agree about the lack of wall space, etc. for librarians to hang their degrees, certificates, etc.,….

I’m not sure about it either – I had them hanging in my house before I moved – now they aren’t hanging anywhere – but I’m thinking of putting them up in the office.

My idea/suggestion for how to let patrons know about the MLIS is to have name tags and to have that on them and also titles on them.

(I know there are a few different opinions on this and some people aren’t comfortable with their last names being on the name tags at work and it’s kinda weird to put something like Amy, MLIS instead of Amy Kearns, MILS, and personally my position is keeping your last name off your name tag isn’t really going to “protect your identity” if that’s what you’re after cuz you are in many cases a public employee and blah blah blah)

ooh sorry for that – take a breath, Kearns!

Anyway.

As for Pimp… at the next NJLA conference, after a few drinks, I’ll sing my version of “it’s hard out here for a pimp”, but with lyrics revised to “it’s hard out here for a librarian.”

And c’mon, you know that as soon as you talked law stuff I’d be here! I’m sure there was a bet going on about how long it would take me to comment & how long that comment would be.

Usual disclaimer, as with any legal stuff, the below can vary based on state law, as well as the exact degree earned.

Esq: a bit of a debate about whether or not it’s proper to refer to oneself as Esq., or whether it should only be used about someone else (ie I write a letter to John Doe Esq but don’t sign it Jim Doe Esq.) It can be looked at as very “look at me, look at me.”

The arguments for using it for oneself are mostly about the Esq indicating the right to pratice law, rather than “just” having earned the degree. (Yes, earning a JD is a major accomplishment, but its not enough to practice, so people have to be very clear about this in how they use or don’t use JD. Hence the “just”.)

And, just to stir the pot some more, a lot of usage of Esquire is traditional (but not always, a few states may have codified it) and some still think it cannot be used by / about a woman.

Another debate re JDs is how one shouldn’t call oneself doctor, even tho a doctorate had been earned (JD.) (NJ, of course, has an entire legal opinion on when one can and cannot call themselves a doctor based on the juris doctorate).

I guess law wise (and possible MD wise) (I’m not sure about PhDs) part of the reason for the alphabet soup after a name is to let people know not so much the degree earned, but the legal right to practice.

Liz B., BS, JD (retired), MLIS.

Look at the job postings–few if any are for full-time employment in public libraries. I suspect that much of that is because of the use of interns and para-professionals.

As I struggle to change careers, friends, family, and co-workers are all amazed that to be a librarian you need a Master’s degree. We should market ourselves and our skills far better.