Nat asks, “What other type of career can a librarian (or, ahem, library assistant) use his
or her skills (like database searching, cataloging, book knowledge, etc?). Something that is not in another library, research institute, educational facility, or a bookstore.”

Let’s take a look at some of the entries in one of my favorite career reference books, the venerable Occupational Outlook Handbook.

I’m thinking that someone with a library background might want to conside the following areas for alternate work:
Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
Computer Systems Analysis
Prepress Technicians and Workers
Desktop Publishing
Market and Survey Researchers

All of those jobs deal with some aspect of information, although some may require additional training.

Here’s an article on alternatives from LIScareer.

You might want to check out some of the information on the web sites for the Assosiation of Independent Information Professionals and the Special Libraries Association. Those were the few ideas I had, although some of those jobs would likely require extra training. Does anyone else have some suggestions for alternative careers? Please post them in the comments.