Mlis??

[joeymarjie]

anyone out there done an MLIS or another master's having to do with library and information studies? Or know anyone who has? Or knows anything about it?

[pisces2473]

Colleeeeeeennnn?

[coll214]

LOL jen...

Joey, that's what i'm currently getting ready to go to school for. What kind of info are you looking for? PM me if you want...

[Cookie778]

I have thought about applying to graduate school for a Masters in Library Science. I know UNC-Chapel Hill has a good program in it, as two of my friends have either graduated with MLIS degree or currently in school for a MLIS degree.


It sounds like a good degree.

[computer guy]

Actually, this degree has piqued my curiousity as well. What sorts of jobs would you be qualified for upon graduation?

[Cookie778]

You can work as a librarian in a public librarian, as a research librarian, work at a college library, are just a few possiblities.

[SpaceMonkey]

I actually just dropped out of the MSIS program at SUNY Albany. If you go the traditional job route and try to work in the library profession, it can be discouraging, as there is currently a huge glut of people entering/graduating from MLS/MLIS/MSIS programs, and not that many librarian jobs (librarians don't retire, they just get old). If you go to a school that has a good management and policy track, you can probably branch out into the corporate sector more easily.

Also, if you plan on going into academic librarianship (working in a college or university library), you will eventually need at least a second masters degree in some sort of subject specialty to advance your career. Some universities will hire you with only your MLIS with the expectation that you will earn a second masters in the near future (usually within 5 years).

[yankeeyosh]

my mom got an MLS...but that was back in the early 70s, so things have changed since then...

[pisces2473]

Also, if you plan on going into academic librarianship (working in a college or university library), you will eventually need at least a second masters degree in some sort of subject specialty to advance your career. Some universities will hire you with only your MLIS with the expectation that you will earn a second masters in the near future (usually within 5 years).
That's not always true, at least not where I previously worked.

[joeymarjie]

I was thinking the U of A. I've talked to somone who went to the U of A and she had some comments, good and bad, something about it being somewhat focused on children/youth issues. And I checked Dal, and it was quite a bit more expensive. Have you heard anything about the different schools J-girl? I think UBC has a specific program for archivists doesn't it?

[crystal_dance]

UBC has a good library science program.

[imhappy]

I have this degree, and I'm working as a librarian for the government. I enjoy the job a lot. The trick is figuring out "timing." Our place is either hiring a lot of librarians, or there is a major freeze. If you go to library school, think about what type of librarian you want to be after you graduate. As a government servant, I took an easy school that graduated me within a year (accreditated of course.) That worked out well, because when I graduated there were lots of open positions within my field. If I had graduated the following year, there would have been less positions. Also, keep in mind, there is always a threat that people with an MLIS degree are going to be replaced for people with an undergraduate degree in a field like English. The reason for this, is there are a lot more English degree graduates who may take the job for less money. In my humble opinion, unless public libraries radically change, this may happen in about 15ish years. I don't know that much about other types of library positions. Hope that helps. :-)

[joeymarjie]

thanks for all the responses. It is much appreciated.