For Dana Johnson, working as a library technician doesn't really seem like work at all. Johnson, who works for a major public library, still can't believe he gets paid to work among the books and magazines at his favorite hangout.
"When I was little, while all the other kids were out playing baseball, I was in the library reading. People always said I was weird, but now I have the last laugh because I have the best-paying job of all my friends."
Johnson handles the periodicals desk, helping library patrons find magazines and answering questions about the online computer catalog, the CD-ROMs and anything else.
"It's not the magazines they have the hardest time with -- it's working the microfiche and microfilm machines that stumps them. I spend a lot of time loading and unloading film into the machines."
Sometimes, he covers the reference desk when librarians are short-handed or in meetings. "You'd be surprised at the questions people ask you. They often ask for information that seems impossible to find."
One time, Johnson got this request: "I want to contact the Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica. What's its address and phone number?"
Johnson rolled up his sleeves. "It took me a while, but I found the right reference source to use to find his information. It was in the Encyclopedia of Associations!"
It's the challenge that makes the job so appealing to library technicians.
"When somebody asks you for some obscure piece of information, a statistic or something, and you find it, you feel like a detective who has solved a great mystery," says Kim Varey. Varey is a library technician and president of an association for technicians.
"One time I had a patron ask me, 'What's the name and address of a school where I can study to be a Harley Davidson technician?' Sometimes it takes a long time to find the information, but usually you know right where to go.
"Usually, people are really patient and very grateful when you help them find the information they need. I think it's because they can't find it on their own, and they usually come to us when they are frustrated and ready to give up."
Johnson, who's been with the library for almost seven years, works a full 40-hour week while finishing up his last year in college.
"Right now I'm trying to decide if I want to go on to library school to become a librarian, or if I should go on in psychology. I'm really leaning toward the library because I love working here so much."
The job provides a great training ground and helps technicians decide if they want to go on to become librarians. Librarians must have a master's degree in library science -- technicians don't. Many decide they're happy where they are.
"A lot of my colleagues think that our job is less important than the librarians. I don't think so. They say I should try and move up by completing my master's. I don't agree. What we do is just as important as what librarians do," says Varey.
Kent Slade, past-president of the Council on Library-Media Technicians, agrees.
"I can't think of a more perfect career for someone who loves working with books. If I were to become a librarian, I'd have to take on more administrative tasks, supervise more people, and I wouldn't be able to work with the public as much as I do now. To me, it's just not worth going back to school for."
Johnson wants to complete his master's degree so he can earn a higher salary. "I'm already topped out as a library technician. The pay is much better for librarians because of the increased education, training and experience. That's a big consideration for me."
Slade expects to see change in the field along with new opportunities. "We are taking on more and more complicated tasks due to the increase in computers and related technology," he says.
"I feel like there is more opportunity for advancement: that means I will make more money and will not have all the headaches that go along with being the one in charge.
"That means I can do what I love best, show my favorite books to my favorite patrons. I would have to be crazy to give that up."