From Bachelor of Arts to Librarian (original) (raw)

The history of libraries dates back 5000 years, from clay tablets in Mesopotamia to papyrus scrolls in Ancient Egypt. Aristotle taught how to run a library, and history’s greatest was founded in 300BCE Alexandria, a public library open to anyone with scholarly and literary qualifications. In Rome, library director was a stepping stone for ambitious public servants, and library workers were slaves and freedmen. The spread of Christianity and monasteries created inter-library loans, while the Renaissance, Gutenberg’s Press, and the rise of Universities contributed to the ongoing success of libraries. Through thousands of years, Librarian has been a valued and accessible career. Although positions in the traditional book- and shelf-based industry has experienced a contraction in recent years, 21st century gallery, library, archive and museum (GLAM) positions are set to expand the workforce. Many of these developments are reinforced by the responses from twelve current librarians who began their academic career with a Bachelor of Arts (BA).