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Turning your book passion into an occupation
- Thread starter SFG75
- Start date
bluecaffeine
New Member
I've been toying with the idea of getting a Master's in Library Science, but I'm just not sure how practical that is for me right now
WickedWitch
Member
You can make small amounts of money by buying used books (at garage sales and rummage sales and book sales) and reselling them on an internet auction site. You can specialize in what type of books you know well, but it takes a lot of time and effort and knowledge. You don't have set hours, and you don't have to make rent and salary every month. You can use the free internet auction sites and avoid the constant fees.
Here in the United States, I believe that a small "new book" bookstore cannot match prices with the large booksellers, because Barnes and Noble, Borders, and Walmart get huge discounts from the publishers because they buy in bulk. It's difficult to make enough money if you sell service at a higer price. Thousands of small stores have tried this strategy when Walmart comes into town, and lots of them have been driven out of business.
If you have a used bookstore, you have to be an expert at pricing and buying all used books. You have to sell and buy lots of books to stay in business, and you're competing with the other used book stores in town, and small mistakes add up over time.
Here in the United States, I believe that a small "new book" bookstore cannot match prices with the large booksellers, because Barnes and Noble, Borders, and Walmart get huge discounts from the publishers because they buy in bulk. It's difficult to make enough money if you sell service at a higer price. Thousands of small stores have tried this strategy when Walmart comes into town, and lots of them have been driven out of business.
If you have a used bookstore, you have to be an expert at pricing and buying all used books. You have to sell and buy lots of books to stay in business, and you're competing with the other used book stores in town, and small mistakes add up over time.
SFG75
Well-Known Member
bluecaffeine said:
This might be of some help. From what I understand, school librarians will be in demand as many of them are of the "baby boom" generation and there is a shortage of people in this part of education. I'm not certain if that is the case with public libraries and other sectors of it, but I'd wager that your employment opportunities would be pretty good.
Very timely that this thread popped up again. I stopped in my favorite used bookstore to converse with the owner about her business. The more that I hear about it, the less appealing it becomes-definitely hard to turn a profit, and her store is busy.
tartan_skirt
New Member
I am in the middle of applying for my first potential job - a librarian. Well, a summer assistant in a library. I really want this job, but I have no previous experience and lack in the confidence department. I also have to ask 2 of my teachers to be referees since I have no previous employment, which is scary enough! Probably going to ask my art and english teachers. *crosses fingers*
I really want this job, but I have no previous experience and lack in the confidence department. I also have to ask 2 of my teachers to be referees since I have no previous employment, which is scary enough! Probably going to ask my art and english teachers. *crosses fingers*
KristoCat
New Member
tartan skirt, it will all be ok! Libraries are great places to work and a great place for your first job. My first job was in a library too and look at me now, I'm about to graduate with a master's in library science!
In my experience, libraries are fantastic, supportive places to work in and generally low-stress as well.
In my experience, libraries are fantastic, supportive places to work in and generally low-stress as well.
tartan_skirt
New Member
KristoCat said:tartan skirt, it will all be ok! Libraries are great places to work and a great place for your first job. My first job was in a library too and look at me now, I'm about to graduate with a master's in library science!
Library science? That sounds great!
I don't think they do that in Glasgow though (thats where I'm wanting to go). I'll have to see how my exams go in the next month to see what my choices are. I still have to see if I get the job.
KristoCat
New Member
More and more now it's starting to be called "library and information science" instead of just library science. Glasgow might have something along those lines. And another thing, they might not offer a library program for lower levels of university students - at my school, you can only get a minor in library science if you are an undergraduate.
jaynebosco
New Member
KristoCat said:
You are correct in that more and more library programs are dealing with how to teach customers (even though most places call them patrons, we are taught that they should be called customers even though they don't purchase anything) to use the internet and various databases that they would use to research a variety of subjects through electronic means. Also libraries are becoming increasingly reliant on technology to perform such tasks.
It's a very fascinating field and libraries have always been on the cutting edge of such technology.
grit
kickbox
This thread made me think of the street booksellers in NYC. There are a few reliables who specialize and one gets to know them after years of passing by, browsing and buying. One that I know in particular is a hippie-era guy who lives in a small rent-controlled apartment and has a storage unit for his books. Oddly enough for the city he has a car, packed with books he collects from every conceivable place, each day he drives up to his choice block, hovers or double-parks until he can grab a spot and then feeds the meter all day while he sells books. Little overhead, probably doesn't pay taxes and is protected as a print peddler by the 1st amendment to boot. A great guy, very knowledgable, encyclopedic memory, a true archivist. An interesting alternative life-style.
SFG75
Well-Known Member
grit said:
Street booksellers-I've never seen such a thing, it must be very fun to look through their collections, adn I'm certain that you must have sellers who specialize in hard to find genres or out of print books. I'm not certain if I'd want to do it, but I'd definitely check it out.
grit
kickbox
SFG75 said:
well, in nyc people tend to hawk just about everything on the street--it's mind boggling. only books are legal though without a vendor's license, with any other product you can (technically) be arrested and your goods confiscated.
i've had a few "stoop sales" myself (you sell in front of your building) and cleaned up! one man's trash is another's treasure.
SFG75
Well-Known Member
KristoCat said:
Very true, many institutions only offer library science as a minor endorsement and save the big coruses for M.A. work. The American Library Association also offers a good list of ALA accredited programs and the institutions that offer them.
FrodoLIVES
New Member
I would love to go into a career where I can work with books. I'm a junior in high school and right now I'm thinking that I would like to be a librarian. Either that or a teacher, probably in either the english or history field. There's so many choices. I'm very confused about what I want to do. Hopefully time will tell.
raffaellabella
New Member
I would love to work in a quaint little local bookstore. You know the type, where the employees are knowledgable of authors and books. I don't see many of those anymore.