But those who turn to library science expecting a placid retreat from the job crisis in the humanities and a refuge from modernity are in for an unpleasant surprise. As a profession, library science is undergoing rapid change as new technologies throw the utility of older practices into question. The shift is reflected in the increasing tendency of universities to change the name of their master's programs from library science to information sciences. The duties of an academic librarian often include some teaching, although this usually takes the form of noncredit research seminars or guest presentations. Besides the advantage of continued immersion in academic culture, jobs in campus libraries offer more-tangible benefits.
Some librarians receive tuition benefits and research support.
It's not unusual for them to get four weeks of vacation a year, in addition to holidays when the library is closed. While there is less flexibility than a professor's schedule typically offers, library work is a far cry from the corporate cubicle culture. And for many librarians, when they're off duty, they are truly off duty. They don't face stacks of papers to grade or the pressures of publish or perish. Library-science careers are not without their drawbacks.