But research librarians say their powers have been unfairly dismissed in the online age. Not only can they outsmart Google's dead ends and weaknesses, librarians say, but they can help people surf faster and smarter by showing them hidden databases and tricks.
"It's one of the most misrepresented professions," said Saima Kadir, a reference librarian with the Houston Public Library.
In an age of clickable gratification, when books, articles and data are moving online, some people wonder whether librarians are relevant, said Leslie Burger, the immediate past-president of the American Library Association. But Burger said they are more necessary than ever.
She said librarians are subject to outdated stereotypes: "fusty, bookish, sensible shoes, eyeglasses and not particularly friendly. We're really the polar opposite of that right now."
Source: Houston Chronicle, Thanks to D.D. for the news tip.
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