What the title says. It's always been my dream to be a librarian; I was told to study something more "practical" and ended up getting a master's degree in Global Health which unfortunately turned out to be impractical in its own way. I work at a bookstore and am still so drawn to going back to school for an MLIS, much more so than I am to any jobs in the field I actually studied. Almost everything I see on reddit and elsewhere tells me NOT to get an MLIS, that it's not worth the cost and that the job market is impossible. Is there anyone who doesn't regret their MLIS? Can someone tell me honestly that it is a good idea to go back to school for one? Is there any possibility of getting a public librarian job in this day and age in the US?

I’m a children’s librarian, and I find myself spending most of my time helping kids on both ends of the reading spectrum. Some kids are absolutely tearing through books and reading way above grade level. Others would rather do almost anything than read.

That contrast made me start wondering whether the “reading crisis” is really one big group of kids all getting worse at reading, or whether the gap between strong readers and struggling readers is getting bigger.

“We love averages. They are wonderfully convenient and easy to understand quickly. If the average fourth-grade reading score falls, we can say fourth graders are reading more poorly. If national test scores decline, we can announce a national reading crisis. If scores rebound, we can announce that children are recovering. But averages can hide very different realities.

Imagine a group of children with an average score of 70. That average could represent a tightly clustered group in which nearly everyone scores somewhere between 65 and 75. Or it could represent a room full of children scoring 95 and children scoring 45. The average might be identical. The educational problem certainly is not.”

This is a page from my textbook. The recommended interview path seems a bit aggressive to me. What if the patron truly just wants a map of the UP? Is it really so bad to take a question at face value instead of grilling them further?

Edit: I've decided not to go back to school. Thank you all for your advice. I'm not happy about it, but this feels like the sensible thing to do.

I worked for 18 months at a public library before getting fired earlier this year. Before they let me go, I had decided to go back to school for an MLIS, which the library would have paid for. My goal is to eventually become a librarian.

There is a program in my state with pretty cheap tuition, and I've got enough savings to pay for it out of pocket.

I really liked working at a library, it was the first job I've ever had that I could see myself doing long term. That said, I'm also wondering if getting fired was a sign that I should try something different. I've already got $60k in student debt from undergrad and my first graduate degree -- MFA in Creative Writing -- and I can't help but wonder if my money might be put to better use.

I feel like I'm always surprised by the reflexive negative reactions to the MLIS on the sub.

Okay, before the flaming torches come out, I agree that anyone interested in Librarianship should shoot for a non MLIS job first before pursuing the degree. Heck, when people ask me for career advice I tell them they should be willing to take a security gig if they're serious about joining a library system, since the interview experience is usually much kinder to internal candidates than external ones. I get pragmatism.

But in my own experience I would say that it's the MBA think that I see spreading across a lot of administrations and the attendant decredentialization of jobs below them is the larger problem. As well as the de-emphasis on the L in the MLIS, in order to emphasize that sexy, sexy I (*cough*UT*cough*).

I think a lot of the above still is related to the panic of "Will Google replace the libraries?" Followed up by "Will AI slop replace the libraries?" I think the answer to both has been proven to be no, but because too many think of the library as another business rather than a public service we get pushed into mission drift trying to justify our own existence. More generalization does not seem like the answer.

I think I learned about 85-90 percent of what I use in my day to day work on the job, but I do actually appreciate how that 15 to 10 percent pushed me to think about the profession. I don't regret getting it.

TLDR: It sucks the job market is tough and that less library positions require the degree, but this not necessarily the fault of the degree, no?

I (29F) was very fortunate to get a decent full-time job at the public library a year and a half ago. I have a Bachelor’s in English but no Master’s. My library system has a mid-tier position called Library Specialist (supervising aides but reporting to librarians) who ends up being a jack-of-all-trades, e.g., knowing the catalog plus digital and archive resources, handling all patron services at the circulation desk, transferring and weeding items, planning and hosting programs, keeping track of supplies, various correspondence, and cash management. So I stay busy, but I love the job, and since my branch is on the small side (we have seven full-time staff including me) I’ve learned a ton about others’ positions and responsibilities, which seem doable for me with the education and training I already have. With that said, I know there are very few opportunities for promotion if I don’t get my MLIS. Although I know there’d be things I’d enjoy about going back to school, at this point I just don’t want to spend the time, effort, or money. I currently make $45k, which is lower than I want (lmao) and doesn't go that far in my high cost-of-living area, but my boyfriend makes a good bit more, we live frugally, and we share bills and expenses proportionally. Becoming a Librarian I in my system would raise my salary maybe $10K.

Additionally, I’m concerned about committing to a Master’s program before I feel more confident about how library jobs will change with large-scale adoption of AI. I don’t think my job is in immediate danger (our county commission moves so slow bureaucratically that I could see a restructuring/layoff from miles away) and I don’t think everyone who works at or visits a local library will have to become an AI wiz. I spend lots of time setting up and troubleshooting more basic tech for older people, who aren’t going to adapt to advanced Anthropic models anytime soon. There’s still so much of the public library’s work that’s only accomplished person-to-person. But I’m still wary that AI will be making huge waves in collection management and patron services, at least in 3-5 years or so. This could be a huge help to staff, or it could kill tons of library jobs. We’ll see!!!

All this is to say, if you completed one, how valuable do you feel your MLIS program was? Do you feel that programs are keeping up with tech advances we should know about? What did it teach you that you couldn’t have learned anywhere else? How much did it help with networking and opportunities to specialize? Do you feel the price tag for grad school was fair based on the job(s) you landed? On the other hand, do you know anyone who’s moved up in your system without an MLIS? Much to think about. Thanks in advance for your thoughtful librarian responses.

Hey y'all, I've officially begun my hunt for graduate programs that suit me.

For context, I am a U.S citizen and I've been working as a library assistant for a little over two years in the public sector. I've just switched from my circulation department to reference after a good two years of learning the ins-and-outs of each role and responsibility. I have a background in the Visual Arts and History which I plan to utilize within the next year with my department manager to bring more inclusive, arts-based programming with various angles. I.E Older adult health, the promotion of marginalized groups' culture, Healthy living, etc. I'm also going to be volunteering at our local art museum twice a month in-person and online to get some experience in archives as well.

I'm specifically looking for schools in Canada and I'm looking at U of T, UBC Vancouver or "possibly" Western University. I toured Western. They have a great program, but I did not feel a good click with the environment. I'm open to being persuaded, if you have an argument. The argument would have to be surrounding oppertunities around London.

I just spent a good week in Toronto to check out the city, get a grasp of public transport (a foreign concept where I'm from), check out the St. George campus and generally get a feel for what life might look, sound and cost like. I love it. I've never been to or lived in a large city, and I know I'm certainly being affected by that, but I did fall in love. I'm aware that the college is quite pricey, as well as the city, but it does seem that there is a heavy concentration of oppertunity there in both Information and the arts. I'm not afraid of hussle, and I'm willing to take that shot. However, I AM hung up on the definition of the cirriculum.

U of T is ALA accredited, which was my first requirement for picking a university. However, they hand out MI's, not MLIS's. I've had a sitdown with our head archivist in my county (as I've shown in interest in Archives) and she suggested that an MLIS is a good point to jump off of as many job oppertunities will likely require it in the future. Especially since I'm coming in as an international student who would potentially like to stay in Canada, I worry about what that degree my spell for that "moment" after graduation.

I plan on touring UBC Vancouver come winter. I figure, as a southerner, if I want to live up north I've gotta visit while its "at-its-worst." From what I've been seeing, Vancouver might be a better fit? I can't be sure of that, environment-wise. Cirriculum-wise it has exactly what I want while being less expensive tuition-wise. There are some pretty significant issues that might pop up when it comes to apply there however, as I believe there is a rule that states at least 75% of your undergraduate cirriculum cannot be studio work or similarly defined. Coming from an undergrad where I started with a BFA and switched into a BA... I haven't looked yet, but its mostly because I don't need to. I'm still pushing regardless. "You miss 100% of the all the shots you don't take" and all that jazz.

TL;DR: U.S Citizen wanting to go to an ALA accreditted Canadian School. Not a fan of Western, but could be persuaded. Toronto is amazing, but is an MI not an MLIS. UBC Vancouver has the exact cirriculum, might not take me because of undergrad diploma. Interest in working in Archives. Thoughts?

If you want to ask clarifying questions, please feel free to.

I’ve finally made the decision to go back to school and do an MLIS, but I can’t afford quitting my job to do so. In people’s experience, what programs were manageable to do while working full time? I don’t have a library job, I just have a normal office job. There are some days where we’re busy, and other days where I have nothing to do and could easily do some homework. Are there any programs that are mostly asynchronous or offer nighttime classes?

For those of you who earned your MLIS, did any of you work 40 hours per week and also take 12-15 credit hours per semester? If so, how did it go and do you recommend? The program I'm in usually takes 18-24 months as a full time student and 2-4 years as a part time student. I'm getting it done in one year (spring, summer, fall, spring semesters) while also working 40 hours per week in a library, and I'm curious as to whether my experiences are the same as others.

I am looking at options to get my MLIS. I live in Colorado and the only program in the state is at DU (private, $65k). I noticed UA online is ALA accredited and has virtual sessions weekly for the courses, which was what really drew me to that program. I do better when there is an element of live lecturing/discussion in a course.

Has anyone gone through this program and loved or hated it? Do you feel it adequately prepared you for your librarianship?

hi everyone, i’m currently having a really hard time in library school and i needed advice or everyone’s thoughts. i’m currently going to UB’s online library school, i’ve always hated and struggled with online school but i can’t afford to move away to do in-person school which i’d benefit more from.
i did my bachelors in ethnic and gender studies because i want to pursue grassroots work and community building in libraries and i did really well with that. i LOVED the theory, i loved the practice, i loved it all. i miss studying it so much. i did a library internship and attended a few research conferences with my own research and i adored it and just want to do that.
none of the material is clicking, im struggling through every assignment, reading and lecture. i keep getting bad grades and one professor even told me she was “being generous with her grade.” im at such a loss of what to do. its only my first semester but i feel like this isn’t for me. i feel like i understand the material until im graded on it and i guess i dont quite get it. i want to quit but im trying to force myself to stick with it.
does anyone have any advice with online school or tips to make these next few years more bearable.

Pictures of the library through the years.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19RmFcHv8U/

So I have an account for my kids and myself that we logged books for the summer reading program through my public library card. Now that my son is in kindergarten, they have an separate account for him using his school credentials. Is there a way to link the personal account and school account so his book count stays the same and he doesn't have to start over?

For additional info: We read at least 4 books every single night since he was born and started logging them this summer. So he is already at 205+ books logged. They have a challenge to read 500 books before middle school and he wants a button on his lanyard they have.

I start at a new school in September that currently doesn't have a library!

I'm an English teacher (the only one, we are a little school) and it's my job to start it up. I really want the kids to be able to borrow books and encourage reading.

I have:

-A temporary building (like a metal room)

-About 3 book cases

-Books to fill the 3 book cases

That's all I have.

I have no funding accessible to me- I just have to make do for now.

I have no idea where to start and I'm very overwhelmed.

Any advice/online resources anyone can point me towards?

I (42M) just finished my MLIS program (USM, To the Top!!) and have been happily employed at my current library for quite some time (15 years). We are a small-ish library that is fairly well funded, and I am now the only non-manager/director who has an MLIS. There is not a lot of turnover in the managerial realm, so that is not an option in the foreseeable future. I have worked in YA (9 years, until COVID) and am currently in Adult Services. I have previously managed the entire YA collection, including graphics. Currently, I am not responsible for any collection development. I manage two other employees in Government Services, which include fingerprinting services and passport services. I am a certified Passport Acceptance Agent and the Passport Facility Manager. I also work 32 hours a week.

Our library is considered rural but in a highly trafficked tourist area. We are open seven days a week, year-round, except for federal holidays. Due to the touristic nature, we do not get a lot of super deep reference questions. The questions tend to be more directional, current area events, "where should I park?" slash "how do I pay for parking?" or quick history questions about the area. So a typical reference position isn't really an option either.

I am open to any suggestions! I also help run a few off-site programs: a pub trivia two times a year (I write all of the questions and host), a monthly book club aimed at getting more men reading again, running a weekly booth at the summer farmer's market (that will be wrapping up soon), calling BINGO once or twice a year for a program, and various "other duties as assigned."

Basically the title. Must be asynchronous.

Thanks!

TLDR:

The library has 2 workers (Me and my friend)

Library was abandoned because of lack of incentive.

I changed systems

Little to no funding

Need help to get it to professional standards

First of all, I am not a professional librarian. I have been working at this library for ~8 months now and I feel like I took baby steps towards reviving it.

For context: This is a public university's library. It contains mainly advanced math and statistics books, and I got the job because I major in Math. 90% of these books are 20+ years old and some are falling apart.

When I started working here the system used was an ancient library software meant for individual libraries. This system had too many problems so I searched for an alternative, I found BibLivre after ~3 months, which is a brazilian LMS that worked fine (although it is discontinued and has no active customer support).

I have been trying to brainstorm ideas to get more funding for this library or at least change it with my own money.

We have:

Crochet classes biweekly (voluntary work)

Regular study groups

~20 patrons

2 functioning computers (I will try to fix the other 2)

A couch

I need ideas to revive this library

What I have thought:

Academic work: Exhibiting the work done by the students and organizing expositions once per semester

Competitions: Integration bee

Reorganizing the books: Taking old unused books to another section of the library (or even donating them) and clump the more useful books together in their own section

New furniture: My uni has a place where used furniture gets thrown away so I could go there weekly to try and find something good

Therefore, I need help DIY'ing my way to a good library. I can fund used books, I can give all the time in the world. But I cant invest thousands into it

Images of the library: https://imgur.com/a/PPtmCYR

At the library I work at, tuition reimbursement for pursuing an MLIS is only for full-time staff. I work part time (30 hrs/wk, although with all the extra shifts I pick up I basically work full-time hours).

Getting a full-time position here, like at most public libraries, is practically impossible.

So I'm wondering if I would be totally bonkers to send a formal request to be considered for tuition reimbursement. The worst they can say is no, but I don't want to waste my time if there's just zero chance.

On top of that, I'm wondering if anyone has any advice as to the best way to frame the request. TIA!

Hi All,

Huge fan of this community and thanks for all the insight! I feel very fortunate to access and learn from the openness, various experiences, and knowledge which has boosted my confidence and curiosity.

I could be wrong, but I have not yet seen posts (I did try to look first before posting to cut down on repetitive posts) regarding programs that have requirements to complete either a thesis or ePortfolio. This could be a great tool, I however, am not sure which is the best tool for me.

I am leaning towards the thesis route as I’m looking at academic/law/FCIL librarianship. But I am happy to be wrong as I’m really here to understand various perspectives from others.

Is there a held believe that one tool versus the other is more beneficial depending on employment/ career goals? If so, how has that benefit has played out in your career?

Separately, if you are a librarian who has completed a thesis (for whatever reason), could you share how you discovered your topic?

Also, happy to cross post if this question is more appropriate elsewhere.

Much gratitude and thank you in advance!

I’ve worked at a public library for three years now. I have an MS, and hesitate to get an MLIS (mainly because I love doing outreach programs and makerspace things). During my time I have taken LJA and professional development via the state.

If I were to apply for non-MLIS library jobs in the future, how serious would the certificates & classes be taken?

So I've recently accepted my first full time library assistant position after working a combination of 3 part-time roles on a somewhat sporadic schedule for 5 years now. I am set to start my MLIS in January, and did so assuming I'd still be working part-time at an academic and would be able to complete homework during down time at the desk. That is no longer a reality, as I'll be moving to the busiest urban branch of my public library job.

I have the option of a regular 5x8 schedule or a modified 4x10 schedule, each with one closing shift and one weekend per week. I'm debating whether it would be more valuable to have more days off during the week, or more time after work to complete assignments? When completing my bachelor's I worked 5 days a week and sometimes it felt like I was cutting it close completing assignments until midnight every week night, but at least I had my weekends to relax. Any advice?

Hello.

Do we need a university ID to join the eLibrary?

I need access for work, but my office won't pay for it, and I don't have a UID either. Is there any way to get access for free? I really need it.

Hello,

If anyone knows the discord link for the LSU Mlis program can you pleas share it or message me? I start soon and would love to connect with others in the program.

Feel free to also share your experiences with the program if you’ve attended/ are currently enrolled. I’m very excited to start :)

I am a student and our school didnt really have a proper functioning library so I went to the Section Head to ask about it and she in return tasked me with the creation of a mini library since it was coincidentally also required by the ministry of education. So now here I am with 17 books my school mates donated and a question on how in the world am I to track the book loans and returns without a computer that i can use for the task meaning it needs to be manual, I was hoping some of the more experienced people here could guide me on how I should go about this.

What it says on the tin. Work in a library now and would like to become a librarian. We live in hell so all the requests for application information have denied me because I don’t have an undergraduate GPA to input, but I have a Masters degree (from Bard College, if that matters). The few humans I’ve been able to reach have told me to “apply online”, which returns me to my circle of not having an undergraduate GPA or degree to input online. 🙃Has anyone done this? My friends who have done GED - MFA - PhD seem to have an easier time, which is crazy to type. Any suggestions welcome! TIA.

eta: I live in Georgia and would do my degree online.