Here's an article that's making the rounds from the New York Times' Fashion & Style section - A Hipper Crowd of Shushers

"How did such a nerdy profession become cool — aside from the fact that a certain amount of nerdiness is now cool? Many young librarians and library professors said that the work is no longer just about books but also about organizing and connecting people with information, including music and movies. And though many librarians say that they, like nurses or priests, are called to the profession, they also say the job is stable, intellectually stimulating and can have reasonable hours — perfect for creative types who want to pursue their passions outside of work and don’t want to finance their pursuits by waiting tables."

(Thanks to Christina W. for the pointer to the article.  And as always, MetaFilter - which is haunted by many librarians and co-administered by Jessamyn West of Librarian.net - has lots of great discussion that's just as interesting as the article, if not moreso.)