Library science invites sense of serving public good

Eva Johnston is on the job at the downtown public library where she is assistant director.

* Name: Eva Johnston

* Title: Assistant director

* Location: Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library, downtown

* First job (for pay): Working in an orchid nursery. Her first nonpaying job was working in her school library in sixth grade.

* Favorite part of the job: "I learn something new every day," said Ms. Johnston. "I've worked in the library for 40 years and now I have a job that I've just had for a year and a half (she used to be the children's librarian), and I learn something new everyday. I didn't know there were all these inner workings of the library."

* Worst part: Not having enough time. "I used to have more time to help people. People come to me all the time asking 'Can you help me with this project or that project' and I always used to have time. Now I just have to say, 'No, I'm sorry, I can't help you.' And I usually try to get somebody else to help them. But I hate having to say no to people."

* Special rewards: "The reason I got into library work is that I feel it's so essential for anyone to be able to have access to information. And of course when I started out (as a children's librarian), it was that children need to have things to supplement their schoolwork. Even now, all people cannot afford to be online at home, so they actually come to the library. It's access to information. It is really a rewarding job to contribute to that."

* Best advice: To work as a librarian, Ms. Johnston said, one must have a sense of public service. "I have loved being able to help people. I would not advise anybody who is not a people person to work in libraries, because you do have a responsibility of helping anyone no matter what their station in life."

* Making a career of it: A master's degree in library science is almost always necessary. Those with additional degrees in other fields may specialize.

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