Nearly everyone loves and respects places called "The Library." For the most part, many appreciate when a place is called a "resource center" which could be viewed as a place to get a resource that you need. But are these two ideas the same place?
Librarycore is a big deal right now. There are all kinds of stickers, t-shirts, and ASMR YouTube videos with page-turning books out there for the library lover to indulge in. And don't let it be the autumn season of the year. All of the books, sweaters, tea cups, and cat images flood your timeline as much as the pumpkin spice latte decor. Libraries are, well...romantic and loaded with fantasy.
I see students often who want to work in the library because they think is so peaceful and sleepy. The self-identified introvert feels that the library is the best place to hide from the world among the tall bookshelves and comfy club chairs. This is also probably why when a college student expresses that they want to get their Masters in Library Science or declare that they want to be a librarian, a well-meaning mentor will try to convince them otherwise as if the profession is not promising.
However wonderful this side of the library may seem, there is another side that most people don't seem to know exists or have forgotten about the library. A library is an institution and as such runs like a business. Library operations take many types of professionals to maintain that sense of calm and peace that many have come to love. The resources that the library offers go well beyond good books, but programming for all ages, social outreach, and in the case of an academic library, student support and research.
Many who consider joining the field come from various disciplines and library science may even be their second masters degree. Let's not forget that an MLIS is a master of science so librarians are scientists who spend much of their time researching to answer the many interdisciplinary questions and antidotal questions that can range from, "Where is the nearest Chick-fil-A?" to "How can we provide contextual reference from ChatGPT output?"
Librarians (and archivists) are needed in nearly every professional field. People who understand how to source, organize, and catalog resources are at a premium. Professionals who understand information literacy and can point students, researchers, and patrons in trustworthy directions when seeking information will become more and more necessary with the rise of AI-created content.
All of this to say, YES, go get your canvas tote bag that says, "I heart the library!" or your t-shirt that says "Librarian, the first search engine!" Libraries are not going anywhere. And whether you need that book recommendation for your next book club, or trying to hunt down the history of your great great grand aunt, we'll be here for those and any other questions in between. Just don't interrupt us while we're "shhhh" someone. It's our most favorite thing to do.