Holding on to Our Own: Factors Affecting the Recruitment and Retention of Science Librarians

摘要

The graying of the library profession means that recruiting and retaining librarians is essential to maintaining quality services and ensuring that libraries have a store of potential leaders. Science librarian positions often draw smaller pools of applicants than social science or humanities positions, making it even more important that good hires are retained. We examine programs that contribute to recruitment and retention as well as some of the trends in science librarianship and the impact on science librarians. The differences in the needs and practices of new librarians versus mid-career science and technology librarians are also discussed. Solutions to the shortage of science librarians need to include creative recruitment, support for research and professional development, and promotion of involvement in national organizations.