Thriving as a Mid-Career Librarian: Identity, Advocacy, and Pathways

When librarians reach the middle of their careers, they may be facing any number of challenges, including uncertainty about which path to pursue. Editors West (research instruction services, SUNY Geneseo; editor, Creative Instructional Design) and Galoozis (head of information literacy and student engagement, Claremont Coll.; coeditor, Hidden Architectures of Information Literacy Programs) have compiled a thoughtful selection of works by and for librarians exploring potential options that may arise mid-career. The book is divided into four sections, discussing various aspects of such questions as how a librarian’s identity may impact their mid-career choices, how a librarian might stay engaged with their work or advocate for themselves, and why a librarian might choose to pursue a management position. The material deals largely with academic libraries and librarians, although a few essayists work or have worked at other types of libraries. At once practical and theoretical, this volume offers a close, well-considered look at the research and experiences of librarians who have grappled with these issues.