What's in a name

I was chatting with Barbara Burton about what information professionals call themselves and how it defines us. I mentioned that "librarian" is unusual in that it refers to a place (library) rather than a skill set or expertise. We talk about surgeons, not hospitalers; architects, not buildingers; programmers, not computerers, and so on. Off the top of our heads, the only other professions that refer to a place rather than a skill are gardeners and farmers -- workers who are responsible for tending and caring for a place. By the same token, "librarian" suggests that we tend a collection of material, rather than locate, organize, manage and synthesize  information.

This is perhaps one of the best reasons for dropping the L-word and finding a professional title that focuses on our expertise rather than where we use that expertise. Unless we draw attention to our value, we run the risk of being trivialized, as information becomes more decentralized and as "mere" information is perceived as a commodity without any special value.

Comments

[Ed Lyden]

We cannot call ourselves Information Managers the IT people have already taken that title. The IT people outnumber us 100 to 1. We need to coin a new word for ourselves. A word that befits our role. Maybe Lib-masters, Info-Masters, Lib-Info-Guild members, Search-guild members, Source-Masters. Lib-maker, Lib-Yoda, The term has to be something self-explanatory, simple and unique. Sounds easy but is very difficult to come up with something everyone would accept and run with!

[jcampbell]

Business-speak is everywhere and sadly, Librarians had better learn that speak!

What sounds more weighty to someone not in the industry? , Librarian or Libray Technician. We know each has it's own unique skillset to bring, but we're dealing with outside perceptions, looking in and making value judgements.

We'd be better off adopting the term Information Manager or something along those lines.

Hi - I'm an Information Manager and I specialise in libraries. or

Hi - I'm an Information manager and I specialise in Archives

Credibility and Authority jumps up immediately

[jdlibpod]

Yes, but there's "farming" and "gardening". How about jailor?