STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

I could go on and on about this.

I really like being a librarian and I think there are tons of different paths you could take. At some point if I get sick of being a law librarian I might get a second master's and try to get into academic librarianship or archiving. As for grad school, that is the one thing that I find really disappointing about this field. Of course some schools are better than others but I really wanted to stay in the NYC area and none of them were particularly appealing to me.

My main complaint is that lots of programs are heavy on practical aspects of the field - like computer programming stuff or actually practicing searching databases - and I just felt like it is a waste since those things are constantly changing plus they can usually be learned on the job or in professional development classes offered by different associations. It just seemed silly to me since most of my coworkers got their degrees over 20 years ago and didn't have any online database classes yet obviously they are still able to do their jobs. I was also disappointed with and frustrated by my classmates, many of whom seemed to have no research skills at all and no knowledge of basic research materials and methods which I assumed most people aquired in college. So it wasn't really a challenge at all. I literally sat in the back reading a magazine in almost every class and I was able to take 2 classes a semester while working full time and it wasn't the slightest struggle for me to get through the program. I guess that was good since I had other things to worry about but at the same time I felt like my brain was turning to mush.

That said, it was definitely worthwhile for me to get the degree since 1. my company paid for part of it and 2. it will make it easier for me to get jobs. And you are in CA right? Would you stay there for grad school? I think UCLA has a program and I remember thinking it looked like they had interesting classes.

Let me know if you have any specific questions!

I've always gotten the impression that the job market is pretty good because for a long time it wasn't a very popular field. Although it seems like interest in MLS programs has been growing in recent years and there is always the threat of libraries being down-sized.

Have you discussed this with any of the librarians at your library? I found that talking to librarians was the best way to get a sense of the career opportunities and the salary scale. You can also go to the various association web sites. They usually have salary surveys and job listings.


I don't know. I think if you are really interested in the field and it wouldn't be a huge financial burden for you to go then getting the master's sounds like a good idea. You could always look around for a library which will pay for you to get the degree if your current one doesn't have a tuition reimbursment program. I doubt the job market will totally dry up in the next 2-3 years and if you want to be a librarian it's kind of necessary to have the MLS since most libraries require it or will at least pay more money to get someone with the degree.

-- Edited by cc at 15:07, 2005-12-27

Alikat- I am heading out the door shortly for the evening, but just saw this post.

CC gave you great advise and I will add my two cents tomorrow or Monday. I recently got my doctorate in Library Science and I am still working as a librarian in a public library as well as part time teaching.

I gave give you some insight into a public library scenario as well as a media specialist in academic situations. Also, don't rule out distance courses for schooling; it's the wave of the future in MLS/MLIS.

-- Edited by Ally S at 21:56, 2005-12-31