Census: Record Gap Between Rich and Poor in America

The recent Census report states that there is a record widening gap between the rich and the poor in the U.S.

The top-earning 20 percent of Americans - those making more than $100,000 each year - received 49.4 percent of all income generated in the U.S., compared with the 3.4 percent earned by those below the poverty line, according to newly released census figures. That ratio of 14.5-to-1 was an increase from 13.6 in 2008 and nearly double a low of 7.69 in 1968.

A different measure, the international Gini index, found U.S. income inequality at its highest level since the Census Bureau began tracking household income in 1967. The U.S. also has the greatest disparity among Western industrialized nations.

This does not look like good news for many Americans, particularly among children and young adults. It's a reality: income inequality is rising, and it will take a while to recover.

Among the 2009 findings in the article:

-The poorest poor are at record highs. The share of Americans below half the poverty line - $10,977 for a family of four - rose from 5.7 percent in 2008 to 6.3 percent. It was the highest level since 1975.

-The poverty gap between young and old has doubled since 2000, due partly to the strength of Social Security in helping buoy Americans 65 and over. Child poverty is now 21 percent compared with 9 percent for older Americans.

So You Want to Be a Librarian?

So you Want to be a librarian. Not sure where to seek advice? I found a good website for you.

Librarian by Day did a fantastic job in compiling various posts and articles about the library profession, degree requirements, job expectations, and core competencies and skills on her blog. This is a major transitional period for library and information science, and prospective students should know their options. If you have any burning library-related questions, then definitely check out her site!

So You Want to be a Librarian? A Guide For Those Considering an MLS, Current Students & Job Seekers

One Web Day 2010 - September 22, 2010

OneWebDay 2010 will be held on Wednesday, September 22 2010. This is a great opportunity for social workers, librarians, information professionals and other technology allies to join together and increase awareness of the importance of maintaining the open-networking principles on the World Wide Web. If you are interested in this event, please spread the word to friends and colleagues!

For the last three years, OneWebDay has attracted a global network of partner organizations and individual activists committed to broadening the public’s awareness of Internet and Web issues while deepening a culture of participation in building a Web that works for everyone. In 2008, OneWebDay organizers documented volunteer-driven events 34 different cities across the world.

Highlights for 2nd Year in Grad School

I am finally starting my second year in graduate school. I am excited and ready to start my classes and fieldwork. This fall, I am enrolled full-time in the School of Social Work (Last fall, I spent my first year in the School of Information where I study library and information science.) For newcomers, my social work background is macro practice social work. I do not cover clinical or interpersonal practice. Being an MSW student is significant today because the School of Social Work will celebrate its 90th anniversary in 2011. I am proud to witness this tremendous milestone.

I have created several goals that I hope to accomplish:

• Become more involved in student organizations
  
• Focus on fulfilling all degree requirements early
  
• Attend professional conferences and campus lectures
  
• Live a healthy lifestyle (exercise, sports)
  
• Just relax and have fun (non-school activities)
  

May this be a successful school year for all grad students!

UPDATED (9/8/10): September 8 is International Literacy Day.

Idealist.org: Grad School Fairs 2010 Schedule

Idealist.org - Action Without Borders is relaunching its annual graduate school fairs across the country. Before I enrolled in graduate school, I attended these fairs for several years. It's a great way to network with different universities and learn many different career pathways (e.g., business, education, international affairs, public health, public policy, social work, etc.) in service of the public good. In the past, I have attended the graduate fairs in Ann Arbor, Chicago and Washington DC. If you are interested in a nonprofit/social sector career where you can have a social impact, I highly recommend attending these fairs in your local area.

Here is the schedule below:

New York, NY - September 16 - (200 schools will be there)
Providence, RI - September 20 - (75 schools)
Boston, MA - September 21 - (180)
Pittsburgh, PA - September 23 - (50)
Philadelphia, PA - September 27 - (65)
Toronto, ON - September 29 - (60)
Washington, DC - September 30 - (200)
Minneapolis, MN - October 18 (70)
Chicago, IL - October 19 (135)
Ann Arbor, MI - October 20 (75)
Denver, CO - October 25 (60)
Seattle, WA - October 27 (80)
Portland, OR - October 28 (80)
San Francisco, CA - November 1 (120)
Los Angeles, CA - November 2 (115)
Atlanta, GA - November 4 (75)