Telecommuting, which once seemed impractical for librarians, is swiftly becoming a viable option for employees in both technical services and public services. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, by May 2004, 20.7 million people regularly worked from home at least once per week as part of their primary job. This number represented 15 percent of total nonagricultural employment—and 30 percent of managerial/professional positions.3
Societal changes such as increased commuting time, rising numbers of dual working-parents, and an explosion of technology that facilitates remote work have fueled both the desirability and the feasibility of alternative work arrangements. Traditionally, librarians have been tethered to a facility either because their public service role demands face-to-face interaction or because they work with materials housed in the building. As collection formats and service mechanisms change, however, librarians may be poised to take advantage of more flexible scheduling arrangements.
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