What do you do if your librarian career is at risk due to automation?

Facing the threat of automation in the library profession can be daunting, but it is important to remain proactive and adaptable. As librarians we can position ourselves to not only survive but thrive in the face of automation by staying informed, specializing in a niche area, embracing technology, and networking within the library community. These steps can help us safeguard our career and continue to make a meaningful impact on the world of information and knowledge.

Its some question. Not afreid, we have to sdjust and learn how colaborate and do our best this new situation, professionaly and as a society as well

Most technologies will require some learning curve. This is where professional development and growth come into play. On the one hand, you should start learning upcoming technologies, but on the other, you could also use them to expand your skill set, such as learning basic coding. Case in point, get started on embracing change and updating your mindset by seeking opportunities to learn rather than waiting for change to come to you.

Some types of librarians will never be replaced or replaceable. Flexibility and learning new things is the key. Being open to working with the public, especially with children, will bring you quite a bit of job security. Knowledge of another language can also be highly beneficial- many people would prefer a live translator or interpreter instead of a machine.

Updating skills is fun in the Librarians perspective because data keeps adding up. We need to keep learning, adapting to change and exploring. Truth is machines will only replace humans who do not update their knowledge of it's usage Librarians will not be left behind in the move towards automation

En mi opinión, es muy difícil que un bibliotecario sea totalmente reemplazado por la inteligencia artificial. Sin embargo, podemos automatizar ciertos procesos o actividades. Es crucial desarrollar habilidades sociales, de pensamiento crítico y creatividad porque estas son intrínsecamente humanas y nos permiten adaptarnos, innovar y colaborar de manera efectiva en un mundo en constante cambio. El desarrollo de estas habilidades nos posiciona como personas que no solo dependen de sus conocimientos, sino que también son capaces de aplicarlos de manera contextualizada y comprender el valor de la interacción humana en diversas situaciones.

By taking proactive steps to adapt to the changing landscape of library science, you can indeed continue to make meaningful contributions to the field. Embracing technology, staying informed, and focusing on specialization are all valuable strategies for thriving in an evolving profession. It's essential to remember that while automation may change certain aspects of librarianship, the core principles of serving patrons, facilitating access to information, and promoting literacy remain as important as ever – and these are aspects that cannot be replaced by technology alone.

I had never done this until a colleague recommended it, but seeking a professional's opinion honestly never hurts. In my case, I reached out to the Head of Innovation at another school and asked a colleague to make the introduction. We met for a 30-minute Zoom call that lasted over an hour, and I learned how AI is being used in healthcare and education. Networking is a powerful tool that can yield more than you know.

My opinion might be somewhat controversial, but here it goes. I would say be careful of how, when, where, and to whom you advocate value, depending on your organizational workplace. For example, if you're part of a larger, more traditional (hierarchal) organization, your best bet may be to advocate value at a conference or workshop. Please be careful in how you're trying to communicate value. How's your tone, energy level, cadence, etc.?

When it comes to exploring alternatives, there needs to be more of a conversation about setting yourself up to explore alternatives. I often hear about exploring alternatives and not about how to explore alternatives. Do you have your finances in order? How long have you been pursuing a change? Are you obtaining a certification or a degree? Do you have children? Have you talked with your loved ones about how this might impact your relationships? Will this require a possible pay cut that would affect your living situation? How much debt are you currently juggling? Are you mentally prepared to work harder than you are now? Etc. Etc. Etc.

Stay realistic and lean on something more significant than positivity. In my experience, if things are getting hard one of the worst things you can do is stay positive. Instead, you must stay disciplined and remember why you're doing what you're doing. For example, focus on eating a few times a day actual meals, not fast food. Are you drinking enough water? Are you getting enough sleep? Are you making time to meet with your loved ones? Even if you're not feeling optimistic/positive, chances are that you'll generally feel more positive when you start taking care of yourself and making sure your life is in order. Stay up, everyone; the struggle can be real, but remember, you're not alone. Lastly, seek medical help if necessary.