r/LibraryScience

Planning on getting my Master's In Library Science next year! My Bachelor's is in English - SIngle Subject Teaching, so I have experience with literature, research, and education. My question is, are there any courses you guys would recommend I take before attending a Library Science program? I have no library experience, and I intend to volunteer this summer, but if that doesn't pan out, I'd like to take some classes to educate myself and get a real feel for it.

With my financial aid I can take some community college courses for free, but the only relevant course I can see is a Library Studies 101 - Information Literacy and Research Skills course for 1 credit... I wouldn't mind paying a bit for some University courses if necessary.

For context, I live in San Diego and am leaning towards San Jose for my MLIS

Hi!! I finally made my decision and am going to the residential University of Washington MLIS program in the fall. I’m moving to Seattle for the program and don’t know anyone in the area, are there any current/ incoming MLIS/iSchool students who want to chat and get to know each other? Or, if there’s group chat or something similar to get know each other ahead of time?

Let me know!:)

Hello! I apologize if this isn’t the correct sub.

I’ve been working in libraries since I was in community college. This made me pivot my career choice and go for an MLIS degree (I start in the fall)!

But, the longer I work for public libraries, the more I realize….I don’t think I want to go that route (lots of reasons for that one, but the biggest one is…no money). However, I DO still want to get my MLIS because I love digitally maintaining data/metadata, cataloging, archiving, &c.

I’ve been told by a few people in passing “if you want to keep going with this degree, definitely look into digital asset management (DAM) jobs. I have my MLIS and do that for XYZ company."

I’m looking for guidance on people who have their MLIS (or don’t, I guess?) and do DAM for a living.

Could you tell me what you actually do? I’ve looked it up and I understand the basics of it, but I’d really love to hear from someone who actually DOES the job.

Do you find it challenging or pretty easy?

How has your MLIS helped you with this job? Or, if you don’t have your MLIS, how do you think it could have benefited you more with DAM?

Any information would be helpful and I appreciate your time!

Be well.

I would love to pursue an MLIS but I know wages aren’t the best and library can be hard to obtain especially FT. I am currently working in higher education (pays really well) so I am not even in the field at the moment. 😭

Hi all! I left a previous career a year ago and was hired as a Library Supervisor for a county system and was in that position for a year. I missed working with kids, so I applied to an openYouth Services Specialist for my system. I am not making much, at $14.22/hr for full-time work in both positions.

I'm interested in growing in this field, but there's no real monetary flexibility or growth options in my region, even if I have an MLIS.

I have an existing MA from Villanova University, no student debt (due to scholarships, grants, and assistantships) and I excel in in-person programs. I have taken online courses prior, but prefer a classroom setting.

I'm willing to move to make a degree work and am more than willing to relocate to promote that growth, so I'd love to hear about predominantly in-person programs.

Currently on my list is:
Pitt
UIUC
U-Washington
UCLA

I love public librarianship/ youth services, but I'm aware my existing degree opens up more career pathways for me, as well.

Hi all

I'm in my senior year of undergrad and am planning on applying for a few MLIS programs in the coming year. I currently have a 3.5 cumulative GPA under my belt and have been dean's list since sophomore year. However in the summer of my freshman year I got a D in my English 2 course. I'm wondering if that grade will impact my ability to get into some universities or if they'll just look at my GPA instead. Just trying to figure out if I should retake it for appearances. The programs I'm thinking about applying to are University of Pittsburgh, Drexel, University of Missouri, and Kent University.

Any help is accepted thank you :D

Hello all,

I am new to the subreddit. I have always grown up in libraries, I find them so interesting to the point I may go for my Master’s in Library Science. I am more curious - I know different areas have their own unique operations, so my question is what do your day-to-days look like? Feel free to be as detailed as possible.

Thank you!

Congratulations to everyone who was accepted into VSU’s online MLIS program today! I am so excited to get started and hope to meet people in this cohort as we start on this journey together. :-)

So far it's the only program I've been accepted into but it seems really disorganized. My application fee payment got lost on their end (they eventually found my confirmation email after forwarding it multiple time). Then when I asked about the deadline to accept their admission offer they ignored the question and just said I needed to send proof of my degree conferral. Now they are sending me advising intake forms when I haven't accepted my offer yet.

TLDR Their disorganization is giving me cold feet. Any advice from alumni? Should I listen to my gut and find another program?

I've been poking around in glossaries online, but there doesn't seem to be a formal or technical term used in library and information services for a single item, regardless of format.

So I’m going into my senior year of undergrad. History major but got into MLIS program at my school! I’m doing 4+1 program, and I’m gonna be able to get my masters only a year after finishing my bachelors which is pretty cool

I’m just worried though. I do have a good amount of experience under my belt. I’ve done 5 internships invoking archiving, digital librarianship, even work in a library near my school currently. Even will all that, I’m still paranoid. I’m not sure what the future holds. I love this field and am passionate in it, but I’m hearing about how the job prospects suck?

I guess some questions I have are, what are some other career prospects besides traditional librarian role, and if you guys could offer me any advice and maybe help smooth my anxiety

Thanks yall. Happy summer

Currently, I am a junior in my BLIS degree, and after reading about the highly saturated and competitive job market for archival, museum, and library work, I am considering finding adjacent jobs or volunteer opportunities to help build a career in this field. Although I would love to work in a historical society or museum doing archival work, I know that my very limited experience wouldn't make me an ideal candidate. At the moment, I've been a digital volunteer at the Smithsonian Institution Transcription Center, and I've enjoyed that so far. I've also been learning about classification systems and building my own personal projects with Excel and Omeka.

My goal with these projects is to gain insight and add to my portfolio, demonstrating my interest in learning. However, I know that hands-on experience at a location is vital. Unfortunately, I live in a very rural location, so my options are limited, and I'm not interested in relocating at the moment. For my senior year, I need to find a practicum (which concerns me due to location), and this might further solidify whether this job sector is for me.

However, I wanted to know if anyone who has had a similar experience where they were interested in pursuing this type of work, but is willing to get a job that is adjacent (e.g., gives transferable skills and experience to potentially work in that job in the future), and does some sort of volunteering on the side (in an archive or museum)? What has your experience been like? Are there any ways you've been involved in the library and information science field without having the exact job you wanted?

I want to be realistic in my approach, so if I have to find a job outside this field, I'll be fine. My main goal is to find a balance between utilizing my past skills (I've only done retail work) and what I'm learning at college. Is this wishful thinking? Any advice would be appreciated.

Hi all! I'm looking to pursue a MLIS (fully online) and I'm very conflicted about which schools I should look into. I live in Washington and I know University of Washington has one of the best MLIS programs in the country and they offer it online. For years, I have planned to pursue this degree and I always had my heart set on UW bc it's so highly esteemed. I was also very much looking forward to attending a commencement ceremony once completed, which I would easily be able to attend since I live in Washington. However, as I'm getting closer to completing my Bachelor's, I'm wondering if UW is worth it. Here are my points of contention:

I'm graduating with my bachelor's in August and I was hoping to take a short break from school, recuperate some money by working and just take some time to relax a little bit. However, it seems that they don't allow students to start during any term other than fall. I'm not sure I want to take that long of a break.

I'm not sure how many students they accept each year, but it seems somewhat competitive. I have a good GPA, but no real library experience (yet) and I didn't participate in any extracurriculars during college. I'm worried I won't be accepted.

ITS REALLY EXPENSIVE! This is really my main issue because I know most library jobs don't pay super great these days, and I don't know if it's worth accumulating so many student loans for a career that's only going to pay $50-70k salary.

Being a librarian is my dream job, and I'm willing to do whatever I need to do to make it happen. Any advice is appreciated!

I’m 27 years old and have never attended college, neither in person nor online. I’m interested in becoming an archivist. Right now, the best option for me seems to be enrolling in community college to pursue an associate degree, mainly because of financial considerations. However, I’m unsure which major would best prepare me for eventually earning a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree. Many relevant programs are offered online, which is helpful. I feel a bit lost at the moment. Also, will pursuing a liberal arts or MLIS degree help me land an archivist job, or is there a better path?

I recently made the choice to cut back on a lot of planned travel to attend conferences and various events because I can’t afford it. I can barely afford the gas to volunteer where I’ve been getting library/archive experience. I’m still in school, work full time, and it’s critical for me to do this networking and make connections for the future. I can’t do much unpaid as it is and the fuel prices are making it so much worse.
So my question is, how are you all affording to go? The ALA meeting at the end of June in Chicago is over $400 for a one day ticket. Yearly membership for so many of these organizations (ALA, SAA, ARLIS…) are already so expensive. I’ve already cancelled my plans to attend MAC.

I hate it here grandpa 😭

Hello! I'm aware that the job market for librarians/archivists isn't great right now. I'm willing to relocate and/or work part-time to get the job/experience that I need.

As of right now, I have 2 months of volunteer experience in a local archive. I'm going to do some remote volunteer work (as much as I can find/do) so I know those would count as something.

My main question is if my current job at a bookstore would count as experience? We handle customer service as well as doing inventory, stocking, and ordering books. It's obviously not in a library so I wasn't sure if this would be viewed as applicable experience.

Thank you for the feedback!