<p>All my life, I have loved libraries. My idea of Heaven is spending eternity in a vast, endless library, with countless books on everything one can imagine (and when I arrived at the University of Toronto's St. George campus early this year, I thought I had died and gone there). I just love 'em, the older and bigger the better, and especially ones with rare books collections.</p>
<p>I'm currently an undergraduate student, and, because of my passion for libraries and books, I have been thinking that a career as a librarian might be the right vocation for me. My absolute ideal in this regard would be as an academic librarian, at a good university with a jaw-dropping library system (like U of T). To this end, I have been told that I would need to pursue a Master's degree in Library Science or Library and Information Science. Is this correct?</p>
<p>If so, how long does a degree such as this take? Also, is it a competitive field? </p>
<p>Any info on this would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>I know some people who are in Masters programs for Library Science, so I'll let you know what I've heard. It takes approx. 2 years to get the degree (varies sometimes). Assistantships are normally available to qualified candidates and if you can't get a direct assistantship, there are normally positions available at large universities to 'intern' at the departmental libraries (my current department has one for the summer). </p>
<p>As for job prospects, I have no clue, I would assume it would be relatively easy to find a job if you have no geographic constraint. However, if you place a constraint on yourself or want to get into something super-specialized (such as rare books) it likely becomes more difficult.</p>
<p>Programs that I know are typically in the top 10 (off the top of my head) are...</p>
<p>University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
University of Pittsburgh
University of Illinois
Syracuse
University of Texas - Austin</p>
<p>I could be wrong, but these are generally good schools to my knowledge, but it of course varies between specialties.</p>
<ol>
<li> University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign 4.5
University of North CarolinaChapel Hill 4.5 </li>
<li> Syracuse University (NY) 4.3 </li>
<li> University of Washington 4.2 </li>
<li> University of MichiganAnn Arbor 4.0 </li>
<li> Rutgers State UniversityNew Brunswick (NJ) 3.9 </li>
<li> Indiana UniversityBloomington 3.8
University of Pittsburgh 3.8
University of TexasAustin 3.8 </li>
<li> Florida State University 3.7 </li>
<li> Drexel University (PA) 3.6
University of WisconsinMadison 3.6 </li>
<li> Simmons College (MA) 3.5
University of CaliforniaLos Angeles 3.5
University of MarylandCollege Park 3.5 </li>
<li> University of North Texas 3.0
University of TennesseeKnoxville 3.0 </li>
<li> Wayne State University (MI) 2.9 </li>
<li> Kent State University (OH) 2.8
University at BuffaloSUNY 2.8
University of South CarolinaColumbia 2.8
University of WisconsinMilwaukee 2.8 </li>
<li> SUNYAlbany 2.7 </li>
<li> Catholic University of America (DC) 2.6
Louisiana State UniversityBaton Rouge 2.6
University of Kentucky 2.6
University of MissouriColumbia 2.6
University of Oklahoma 2.6
University of South Florida 2.6 </li>
<li> San Jose State University (CA) 2.5
University of AlabamaTuscaloosa 2.5
University of HawaiiManoa 2.5</li>
</ol>
<p>If you're interested, specialty rankings are also available for:</p>
<p>Archives and Preservation
Digital Librarianship
Health Librarianship
Information Systems
Law Librarianship
School Library Media
Services for Children and Youth</p>
<p>Good advice here - I've worked in libraries and I almost went to school for a MLS. But I decided to go back to my agricultural roots (pun intended) instead.<br>
With your passion for books, this sounds like a <em>great</em> career for you. Admission to most programs is not too competitive. The downside to a library career is the salary range. And go to an ALA accredited school.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the great info, folks! I'm really going to give this some serious thought and research. </p>
<p>My ideal place to work would be at the University of Toronto -- my current school, and where I will almost definitely be getting my MLS if I choose to go forth on the degree. The library system at U of T is the largest in Canada and something like the third or fourth-largest in North America. On the main campus alone (St. George), there are over 50 libraries, a decent number of them massive research libraries and private (for grad students only) rare books libraries. </p>
<p>As for the salary downside, it's not much of a concern to me. A modest living is all good with me if I love going to work every day.</p>