Librarians 'suffer most stress'

Per a study in the UK, Librarians suffer the most stress among occupations. Finally! Someone is acknowledging what most librarians, especially public librarians have always known. The UK study says it it the lack of control over one's job that induces the most stress.

We certainly have little control over the rising costs of books, journals, electronic information sources, and internet access. We have no control over the speed in which technologies change and this impacts librarians more than most careers. Plus we're expected to know it all! With no training I might add, or time to read professional journals. Then we have the stereotypes to deal with. I do not get to read books while working! I spend 50% of my time dealing with people and the other 50% fighting with computers. If you need a sense of accomplishment, the library field probably isn't the best occupation to be in.

We also have no control in how people treat us or their fellow library users. We get little respect and we never know when we may be dealing with someone who will erupt into violence.

"The study surveyed nearly 300 people drawn from five occupations.

They were firefighters, police officers, train operators, teachers and librarians and were intended to cover the spectrum, with the librarians first-thought to be the least stressful occupation."

While firefighters and police officers have obviously stressful jobs, they are also provided training to deal with it on a regular basis. Librarians aren't, and that may be why they are currently so stressed. Librarians are expected to deal with a psycho with only politeness and charm and somehow diffuse the situation. Police officers certainly do the same but at least they have the skill (and weaponry) to defend their lives if the situation escalates in spite of their efforts.

It is never easy to deal with someone who is angry, demanding, or just plain rude, whether they are 'normal' or not. Yet we have people scream at us that they pay taxes and aren't being served or are being treated unfairly. Never mind they are only one of thousands (and conveniently forget that the librarian is tax payer too). This scenario usually occurs when someone wants service or materials that normally aren't offered, or they have been charged for losing library materials. I.e. they are in the wrong but won't admit it.

Gah! Why would anyone want to be a librarian?