Academic and public libraries often believe they create two very different types of librarians. While this may be true, the skill sets of each are more similar and transferable than one might think. Three previous public librarians discuss how their experience benefits the academic libraries they now serve. Public Libraries instill strong customer service and a customer focused philosophy, which is transferable to academic libraries. Merged service points, often the norm in public libraries, are increasingly being incorporated by academic libraries as they strive to become more patron focused. Outreach and programming, progressively trending in academic libraries, is considered vital in most public libraries. Finally, depending on the size and location of their buildings, staff in both types of libraries can share similar knowledge and experiences related to managing security and building concerns. Examples of how academic librarians and public librarians complement one another is the focus of this reflective talk.
