Q: I am getting ready to graduate with a BA in English Literature. I know I want to become a librarian (preferably public), but I am not sure how to get my foot in the door. Would it be best for me to continue on to graduate school now or get an entry level job at a public library and work my way up, eventually getting my MLS?

SM: It really depends on your situation, so I’m not going to tell you to put graduate school on hold, but I will tell you that you need to have that experience under your belt before you graduate. So, if you do decide to pursue your MLS immediately after getting your BA, then plan on working in a library while you attend school.

I do think that working in a library before going to library school can be beneficial because it gives you a better sense of what the profession is like and you will (most likely) figure out what you like to do and what you don’t like to do, what you are good at and what you are not so good at; which will help you to design your curriculum when you enter library school, and help you to be more selective with future job prospects and/or internships. When looking for jobs, keep your options open and get as much experience (in different areas, different roles, different technologies) as you can. You may even be drawn to a type of role or type of library that you hadn’t even considered.

Another benefit of getting a job before going to graduate school is that you might be able to keep your job while you attend library school. And, another good thing about getting that first library job is that it makes it so much easier to get your next library job. Even if you work in a public library for a year or so, and then move to another state for library school, you will have that necessary [public] library experience which will help get you a job in your new location. We can’t say it enough: the degree is necessary, but it really comes down to experience, experience, experience.

Q: I think I would like to get an MLS degree someday but would like to have experience working in a library first. Unfortunately, I’m having difficulty getting a position whether it is paid or volunteer. I think part of this is from appearing overqualified since I have a Bachelor’s degree and about five years of customer service and clerical experience, but the other reason baffles me.

When I can get them, my interviews for paraprofessional positions generally go well until I mention that I would like to get a Master’s degree. At that point, the entire tone changes and my interviewers become very negative and discouraging and end the meeting very quickly. This has been consistent for all of my library interviews in the past four years, which include several public libraries, one public school library, and one academic library.

I always include that I would like to get an MLS degree in my application and interview because it conveys why I want the position as well as that I am serious about the position. Apparently, this is the wrong thing to do. How would you suggest I explain why I want a library paraprofessional position without mentioning that I want to do this professionally?

TA: Here’s the easy answer.  Question: Why would you like to work here in this position?  Answer: Because I’m really interested in getting experience working in a library; I find libraries an integral part of any community; and specifically because the work of this position as described in the job announcement seems interesting, challenging, engaging, and in line with my skills and experience.

If you’re finding that people aren’t responding well to your MLS-ambitions, then stop mentioning it.  By your own statement, this has been something you’ve been considering for at least four years, so do not bring this up until it’s more imminent.  During an interview, the employer wants to know that you are interested in their job, not as a stepping stone to somewhere else. If you’re asked directly about pursuing the MLS, you can always say that it’s something you’re interested in, but that you want to gain some valuable experience in libraries to reaffirm this interest and to supplement the education you’ll be getting in the classroom. During the interview, keep your focus on the job, your ability to do the work, and the skills and experience you’ll bring to the position that make you the best qualified applicant.

Q:  I am 27 and currently employed with the U.S. Navy.  I will be receiving my BS in Human Resource Management in February of 2011.  Upon completion of my degree I was planning on continuing school and receiving my MLS while remaining military.  At this point I no longer wish to remain with the military and am planning to get out in July of 2011.  Are there any positions I can apply for with my BS in the LS field while continuing my education?

TA:  Most professional librarian positions require an MLS/MLIS and/or an advanced graduate degree in a specific discipline.  However, there are two ways that come to mind to work in the profession with a BS in the LS field, while also continuing your education.

First, many smaller institutions are staffed by individuals who may not possess the MLS.  The BS in LS could provide a strong foundation for providing access and services to that library’s constituency, and may provide an opportunity to pursue further educational credentials in the field.

Second, on the opposite end of the spectrum, larger institutions, especially public and academic libraries, will have support staff positions that do not require the MLS.  These positions may require a BS and will often focus primarily in one area of librarianship, such as technical services, access services, or public services.  The benefits of these positions are many: they provide a strong foundation in the fundamental operations of libraries; as large organizations, they may offer educational assistance to pursue an advanced degree; and because of the size of the organization, there may be promotional opportunities and room for professional growth.

I wish you the best when completing your degree and your service.  Thank you for your military service and welcome to librarianship!

Q:  I am considering whether or not to attend an LIS program beginning in the Spring. Until recently I worked with the developmentally challenged in a residence as a Case Coordinator but became burnt out. I went to a career counselor several weeks ago who administered several tests and after talking with me suggested that I consider learning Library Sciences either to be a librarian or a non traditional path. I am having trouble making up my mind if this the right career for me. Unfortunately, I have only 6 weeks to decide before I will need to submit an application! Is this enough time to make a good decision and if so, what should I be doing to in the meantime to aid that decision?

TA: Wow, this is an interesting, and extraordinarily time-sensitive, question.  I know that we’re all required at some point in our life to make quick decisions, but this feels a little pressured in terms of the short period of time and the large impact of this decision.  My advice would be to slow things down a little.  Meeting with the career counselor was a great first step, and it’s indicative of a level of intellectual curiosity and self awareness.  On the other hand, you shouldn’t pursue a graduate degree just because someone told you to, or because you tested that way.  I would strongly recommend that you get some kind of library experience first, and then pursue the degree if it’s a career of interest.  Try to find a job or even a volunteer experience in a library.  And explore different types of work experience and environments—public services, technical services, public library, academic library, school library.  There are so many choices.  You’ve done the initial work of identifying a new field of potential employment.  Take some time to do the in-the-trenches work to see if actually fits.

Q: I’m an MLIS student and my concentration is digital librarianship. Online databases and helping individuals retrieve information off of them is the largest interest to me. I’d enjoy helping students, professors, lawyers, or doctors. What type of Information Studies job would suit me?

TA: Now is the time to seize the opportunity. Once you leave graduate school, the ease of free exploration of different areas of librarianship grows exponentially more difficult. It’s an accepted practice to try different things when you’re in graduate school. You’re still learning and in many cases still trying things on for size. In graduate school, you can take classes across the curriculum and you can try different (paid or unpaid) working experiences, all in the effort to identify your area of specialization in the field. It sounds like you’ve narrowed your concentration to digital librarianship, but you’re still working on what type of library might suit you best. I would encourage you to use this time in school to try different working environments to see which challenge and engage you the most. You may also be able to earn course credit for some of your employment through field experiences or volunteer placements through your academic program, which might help balance the work hours with your course load.

Additionally, you should also consider other avenues of learning about areas of specialization, such as informational interviews and networking with colleagues through professional associations. I would also encourage you to join several listservs and follow the conversation. Are you interested in what they’re talking about? Do you have ideas to share regarding their topics of discussion? Do you want to learn more? Job announcements, which are often shared via listservs, are also a great source of information. Pay attention to the way positions are described, to the job responsibilities outlined in the announcement, and to the required and preferred qualifications, and use this information to shape your academic and professional pursuits.

Q: I am currently seeking admission to graduate school for library science.  Does the chance of finding a job increase or decrease depending on where you get your degree?

SM: It can. Getting your degree from a highly ranked program may help your job prospects.  It all depends on who is on the hiring committee and how much importance they place on where you get your degree.  Getting your degree at the same place as someone on the committee, or the director of the library you are applying to, may help your chances of getting that job.  You never know.  It won’t, I guarantee, get you a job in and of itself.  You need to possess the skills and experience required for the job (which you can get while you are in library school), you need to be a good fit for the library and institution you are applying to, and you need to show proof of what you learned in your library school program (projects, skills, classes, experience, etc.)… so choose wisely.

You may not be able to move across the country or commute a long distance to go to library school. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t research several different programs, including online programs. You need to figure out which will be the best for your educational and financial needs and you need to find a program that will fit into your lifestyle, or be willing to change your lifestyle to fit the needs of the program. I do not think that going to the nearest school, just because it is convenient and just because you want to hurry up and get your degree, is the best thing to do. Let’s face it, you are not going to make a ton of money as a librarian so you should not spend a ton of money on your library degree. Luckily, some of the best programs are in large public universities. See if there is one near you, or in the same state that you live in.

If you plan on working in libraries during library school, which is something we always recommend, then take into consideration the number of jobs available in the institution itself or in the surrounding area. Your graduate education will help to define your career, and the people you encounter (professors, fellow students, graduates, employers, coworkers, counselors) will help to shape your view of librarianship as they become your mentors, your supporters, and your collaborators.

So, take some time to review different library schools.  Look at the classes they offer and the areas they specialize in, and think carefully about what you want to get out of the program. Every program has its strengths.  Visit the school, talk to people in the program, ask questions on an online forum like LISjobs Message Board.

Ultimately, it isn’t the reputation of the program, or school, that matters most. It is how you use your degree (+ experience  + knowledge + communication skills) to secure that first professional job. Good luck!

A few links:

ALA Accredited Schools

ALA Scholarship Program

U.S. News & World Report Rankings – Library and Information Studies

Peterson’s.com

GradSchools.com

How to Choose a Library Science School

SM: I have met several Canadian librarians working here in the States, but I haven’t heard much about U.S. librarians working in Canada. If you have ever perused Canadian job ads for librarian positions, you have probably seen the message, “Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.” Even though this sentence sounds discouraging, don’t let it stop you from sending in your resume. Here’s why:

An MLS degree or its equivalent from an accredited U.S. school is recognized in Canada (and vice versa). Library schools in Canada and the United States are accredited by the same organization – ALA’s Office for Accreditation & Committee on Accreditation.

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) makes it easier for librarians in the U.S. to cross the border to work. Librarians who are U.S. citizens can qualify for a work permit under Chapter 16 of the NAFTA regulations. The NAFTA applies to four specific categories of businesspersons: business visitors, professionals, intra-company transferees, and traders and investors. Librarians are included in the list of professionals.

All businesspersons covered by the NAFTA are exempt from the need to obtain approval from Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC). This means that Canadian employers do not need to have a job offer approved by HRDC to employ a U.S. librarian. For more information, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has a helpful site.

U.S. librarians with a job offer from a Canadian employer are classified as NAFTA Professionals, and may apply for an employment authorization at a Port of Entry, at a visa office abroad (in the U.S.), or from within Canada if the applicant is already in Canada as a visitor. The duration of NAFTA Professional status is for an initial period of one year and an unlimited number of one-year extensions may be subsequently obtained. Canadavisa.com offers more information on employment authorization for non-Canadians.

Although NAFTA makes the process of getting into Canada easier, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be easy to procure a job. It really depends on where you would like to go and how much competition there is in that particular city and/or province. There are fewer library schools in Canada than in the United States, and also fewer jobs. But, if you are serious and you are qualified, you should by all means apply for positions in Canada. Just make sure the employer knows about the NAFTA Professional status.

Currently, the job market for librarians in Canada is fair, and the unemployment rate is below average. The HRDC hosts a Job Futures site that provides information and statistics on different careers in Canada.

The following library job sites either list Canadian job openings or link to sites with job postings:

Canadian Library Association Classifieds

LIBJOBS – mailing list and web archive, international in scope

Library Job Postings on the Internet

Lisjobs.com

TA: As a brief follow-up to the excellent ideas from Susanne, I would add a note about the importance of networking and staying involved professionally. In many ways, my response to this question will mirror many of the suggestions from the answer to the above question. Beyond the basics of wanting to work abroad (learning the language, researching labor laws and the work visa issues, etc.), the key to successfully entering any job market (here or abroad) is who you know. Make professional contacts through professional organizations (ALA, CLA, etc.). Check out web sites, monitor e-mail lists, and attend annual conferences. Contact professionals currently working abroad, or folks who have worked abroad in the recent past, and schedule an informational interview. You can speak to individuals who have successfully worked abroad and ask them how they got started. You can also speak with other librarians currently working in the area to which you may be considering relocating. In addition to gathering information about the area, information interviews will also widen your network of professional contacts.

Below are a few links to online resources that I hope you will find helpful in your research:

ALA International Relations Committee (IRC)

ALA International Relations Office

ALA International Relations Office list of International Associations, Organizations and Conferences

ALA International Relations Round Table (IRRT)

International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)