Presented in partial fulfillment of

1
Presented in partial fulfillment of the
requirements of the course Library 180 Spring
2005 by Jerry Soderberg
2
The CD Librarian
Who is (s)he?
What does (s)he do?
3
First, it might be helpful to clarify who or
what a CD librarian is not
4
Some care should be exercised when referring to
a person as the CD Librarian (meaning
electronic media), because the Collection
Development Librarian is often also referred to
as the CD Librarian All librarians act as
selectors in assigned subject areas that are
designated by Collection Development Librarian.
The CD librarian monitors the selectors activity
http//www.orbiscascade.org/staffhome/assess_surv
ey-oit.htm
5
There is also free software called Mizo CD
Librarian (a personal CD collection management
program). http//www.downloadfreetrial.com/uti
lities/util8028.html
6
As well, there is a CD/DVD storage product sold
with the name CD Librarian.
http//www.tracertek.com/cdstorage.htm
7
OK, but what is a CD librarian, and what are
the skill-sets neededand what are the prospects
for employment as such?
8
According to the U.S. Dept. of Labor Job
outlook in Library and Information Science is
mixed, with slower-than- average job growth
expected in traditional environments, but with
solid growth for those with strong computer and
organizational skills.1
9
Fourie and Dowell write technical competency
is mandatory for entering the library and
information field, and, once employed, workers
can expect the demand for ongoing learning in
this area to continue.2
10
So, the specialist seems to have a level of job
security what do they do that makes them in such
demand? Norman Desmarais, author of a column
entitled The CD Librarian, writes
The large majority of librarians do not
specialize by the format of the information they
work with. Some of us may have specialized in a
particular format because of the size or the
particular requirements of a collection or
because of the complexities of administering it.
We shall begin to see the creation of CD-ROM
librarian positions, just as we have slide
librarians and audio-visual librarians. 3
11
The CD librarian often has other functions and
has assumed the administration of the CD
collection in addition to these duties. In many
cases, the job may go to the person who
demonstrates the most interest or proficiency
with technology. In some cases, (it) falls to
the public services librarians who have become
most familiar with the information needs of the
patrons and how to respond to them. They are also
the ones who usually perform online searches for
patrons so CDs appear as an extension of their
responsibilities because it is logically related
to online searching. 4
12
Sometimes, the CD librarian is not a librarian at
all. Desmarias writes
On some academic campuses, the administration of
matters related to computers has transferred from
the library to the campus computer center or
systems department. (Here), a librarian usually
makes the selection decision for materials and
indicates how a product is intended to be used.
The person who takes care of the CDs may be a
technician or a computer professional. 5
13
When the identity of this highly specialized
person becomes known to the librarys patrons,
(s)he may become highly in demand the CD
librarian of the main library in Syracuse, New
York asks not to be so identified by her branch
Patrons are so eager to find out information on
acquisitions of new releases at the downtown
branch, she says, that they would be calling her
at home if her name were published. We have the
folk music, which they might not have in stores,
and the ethnic music we have a really good blues
collection. 6
14
In the summer quarter of 2003, students in the
School of Information at the University of Texas
were assigned this group exercise Students
were asked to come up with a list of different
information professions, with a one paragraph
description for each one about how information
technology is important to that profession and
any particular technical skills the profession
requires. 7
This is the compiled list
15
Note this job title designation
8
16
Note, too, the descriptive paragraph written by
these students
9
17
Desmarias, writing in 1995, concluded his
article on the CD librarian with these words
While we refer to the CD-ROM librarian, this
person is more apt to be, or become, an
electronic information librarian, providing
access to information in various electronic
formats Some people have used the term
cybranian to indicate the person who
administers Internet resources and navigates
among them so users can have easy access to all
library resourcesregardless of type or
location.10
18
While the labor market is tight, it seems clear
as well that a properly prepared individual,
with an awareness of personal interests and
strengths, could find a niche in CDs (or other
electronic media) as a library career.

19
Sites listing CD Librarians as separate job
title positions http//www.otterprojectonline.inf
o/Certification_Project_Revision_2_3.htm http//ww
w.cd-info.com/CDIC/History/Librarian.html http//w
sbf.net/alumni/index.php http//www.unistudent.com
.au/news/1099952717_31281.html http//www.orbiscas
cade.org/staffhome/assess_survey-oit.htm
http//ls.berkeley.edu/lscr/support/training/vide
o_checkout.html http//www.eomonline.com/Common/cu
rrentissues/Apr02/schuman.htm (use of aerial
photographs for mapping) http//iacc.calpoly.edu/M
inutes/1998-99/IACC043099.html http//www.music-th
eater-art.caltech.edu/womens/people.html
20
Endnotes
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational
Outlook Handbook, 2004-05. http//stats.bls.gov/
ocohome.htm accessed 5/30/2005. 2 Fourie, Denise
and David Dowell, Libraries in the Information
Age. Greenwood Village, CO. Libraries
Unlimited, 2002, 228. 3 Desmarais, Norman, What
is the CD-ROM Librarian? http//www.cd-info.co
m/CDIC/History/Librarian.html accessed 5/30/05,
p. 1. 4 ibid. 5 ibid., p. 2. 6 Shepperd, Walt,
Screen Pass. Syracuse New Times, September 3,
2003. http//newtimes.rway.com/2003/090303/scuffle
.shtml accessed 5/30/05.
21
Endnotes
7 Information Technology and the Information
Professions Information Professionals,
University of Texas School of Information.
Austin, TX Summer 2003. http//www.ischool.utexa
s.edu/i38613dp/SU03/professions.html
accessed 5/30/05. 8 ibid. 9 ibid. 10 Desmarais,
p. 3