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Today's information professionals face high expectations from both clients and employers. In addition to our traditional job skills and responsibilities, we now also need technological savvy!

The employment landscape is changing. Budgetary belt-tightening, demographic shifts, and corporate consolidations have resulted in staff downsizing and job revisions. LIS training is also undergoing radical change. A major die-off among library schools over the past two decades has left fewer campuses granting library degrees.

How can we advance our careers while working full-time and juggling "Real Life?"

Step One: Set a Goal

In five years, do you want to be further along in your current profession -- or in a new career field?

Step Two: Analyze

• Need to add to your current skills? Do you have up-to-date computer skills? Competence with the major online databases information professionals rely upon? Management or supervisory experience?

• Need an MLS degree? The University of Texas LIS program recently surveyed distance ed graduates. Ninety-one percent reported an improvement in economic status, and almost all reported greater participation in decision making, and in administrative responsibilities as a result of obtaining their MLIS. (See report online at http://www.ifla.org/IV/ifla64/149-136e.htm.)

• Need a second degree? If you already have an MLS, you may be more competitive if you add a second degree or certification in the industry niche you work in (or want to move into). Many MLS holders find an MBA, JD, or Master of Technical Communication useful. Gain time by testing for credit for lower-level courses.

• Need to manage your time? Look at your time constraints: Do you work full-time or part-time? Do family or social obligations take priority in your schedule? How much time do you need just to recharge your batteries?

Step Three: Investigate Training Options

• Catch up by crafting a disciplined program of reading in the topic area(s) you need by setting up an informal reading group with colleagues.

• Professional library assocations schedule continuing education (CE) offerings during their annual and mid-year meetings and through their web sites. Local or regional chapters may dedicate annual meetings to CE workshops. Your association(s) may share complementary relationships with other groups, giving you a discount to other training opportunities.

• "Community education" classes can be a source of up-to-date information on a wide range of useful subjects, such as popular software applications, programming, etc. High schools, community colleges, vocational-technical schools, churches, libraries, and unions can be sources of free or low-cost classes.

• Free Web tutorials: Online freebies generally focus on tech topics. Learn enough HTML, XML and JavaScript in a few afternoons online to build your own web page.

• Workplace training: Larger firms may offer free or inexpensive in- house training courses to employees. Small and medium-sized companies usually offer some sort of training assistance in lieu of offering classes.

Step Four: Investigate Distance Learning Options

• DE options include correspondence classes, telecourses, and Internet- or Web-based courses. These "self-supporting" options are sometimes priced differently than regular campus classes. They may or may not carry credit. If you plan to obtain certification or a degree from your coursework, verify how any "non-traditional" classwork can be applied.

• LIS education embraces innovation. Many schools offer LIS distance coursework, including Catholic University of America, Drexel University, Emporia State University, Florida State University, San Jose State University, Southern Connecticut University, Syracuse University, Texas Woman's University, University of Arizona, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Rhode Island, University of Southern Mississippi, University of Washington, and University of Wisconsin (Madison and Milwaukee), among others. Some require short campus residency periods

• Be a smart shopper when looking into online courses. Scams abound! Look for:

  1. Accreditation status by a recognized accrediting body listed with the U.S. Department of Education (Not all programs on an accredited campus are necessarily accredited.) ALA accreditation is important to LIS students. See the ALA's web site for more information.

  2. Information about the school's policies regarding prior learning credit and portfolio assessment.

  3. Names and contact information for administration and faculty.

  4. Detailed descriptions of degree programs and the courses (required and elective) offered.

  5. Residency requirements (time spent on the institution's physical campus).

• Good online resources for researching distance education options are Dr. John Bear's site and Vicky Phillips'. Also check the web site of the individual school.

Step Five: Investigate Funding Options

• Costs vary widely with type of training. School tuition depends on residency status, degree level, and number of credits. A distance education degree from an institution outside your home state will require you to pay out-of-state tuition, just as if you were attending in person. Commercial vendor-provided training is also usually more expensive than community college/vocational-technical school classes.

• Employment-based educational assistance: Policies are unique to each company. If you're a member, your union or credit union may offer assistance as well. Workers in contracting industries or subject to layoff may qualify for state-administered retraining funds, usually through the employment security/unemployment division.

• Even the IRS wants to help you go back to school. Check out the Hope Scholarship Tax Credit (up to $1,500) and the Lifetime Learning Tax Credit (up to $2,000).

• Non-governmental funding sources such as scholarships, grants, endowments, bequests, and loans are available. Check ALA's web site as well as other library associations for scholarship opportunities.

• Commercial financial aid loans are widely available for traditional students. However, the increase in non-traditional (second career) students has had an effect on the lending community. Loans may not be available for continuing education or certificate programs. Exceptions might be made by state funding agencies for retraining certification that guarantees employment, such as the Novell, Cisco, or Microsoft technical certifications. It's worth investigating.

Step Six: Create A Timeline

Create a timeline that starts today and ends on a specific date. Based on your research and your choices, indicate the milestones between now and then. Identify courses that have prerequisites or which can only be taken in a specific sequence.

Step Seven: Go for it!

Enlist the support of your social network. Make new connections among classmates. Contribute from your experience and expertise when you can -- be part of the community as a resource as well as a learner.