<p>Anyone familiar with the library science program at Bama, for undergraduate and graduate degrees, and if there is an online and/or in-class program?</p>
<p>I know that a CBHer was planning on doing library science for her grad degree. I don’t think it is an undergrad degree. I think those who are going to do Library Science usually major in English or similar.</p>
<p>[School</a> of Library and Information Studies - The University of Alabama](<a href=“http://www.slis.ua.edu/]School”>http://www.slis.ua.edu/)</p>
<p>Bama also has a MFA in Book Arts … [MFA</a> in the Book Arts / The University of Alabama](<a href=“http://www.bookarts.ua.edu/]MFA”>http://www.bookarts.ua.edu/)</p>
<p>I have family members who have worked in libraries, but never been able to advance because they do not have degrees in library science. They would possibly be interested in applying for the grad program.</p>
<p>I did notice the MFA in Book Arts. I am going to pass this on to other family members who are artists. They may be interested in this as well.</p>
<p>I was curious if anyone has any personal experience with the program, both the in class and online components.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Hi,
I am a first time poster, but have been lurking for a while. I have a graduate degree in Library Science from UA. My degree is from 1986, and the program has changed since then, so I don’t have personal experience with the current program. I do know that there are still a few professors left from my day. 
</p>
<p>It is a graduate program. You can pretty much major in anything as an undergraduate; my major was Communicative Disorders. It appears from their website that you can get the degree through online classes now.</p>
<p>I believe you also have the option to do a non-thesis track, where you take extra coursework, or you can select the thesis track.</p>
<p>The following is the link for the School of Library and Information Studies. Hope this helps!</p>
<p>[School</a> of Library and Information Studies - The University of Alabama](<a href=“http://www.slis.ua.edu/]School”>http://www.slis.ua.edu/)</p>
<p>Info from the website:</p>
<p>“Students interested in attending classes on campus (at the main campus in Tuscaloosa, at the Gadsden Center, or in Birmingham) are admitted on a rolling basis beginning with any semester. Students living in north Alabama, southeast Tennessee, and northwest Georgia can pursue the MLIS by completing some of their coursework at the UA Gadsden Center located in Gadsden, AL. One core course each semester is also offered in Birmingham, AL on the Samford University campus.”</p>
<p>“Two thirds of our students attend classes face to face, and one third study online. The online program offers courses in real time via Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and web-based Horizon Wimba software. Most students in the cohort schedule two courses per semester, attending classes in the evenings from 6 to 8:45 PM central time. At this rate, the 36 credit hour program can be completed in 6 semesters, or two calendar years. The deadline for submission of all application materials for the online program is April 15th. You may find answers to some of your questions about the online MLIS program through our FAQ page.”</p>
<p>“Note that all students in the online program must attend a 4 day on-campus orientation before classes begin. The orientation is held in the fall – this year from August 16th to 18th, and is the only on-campus requirement for the degree. Online students can only begin class in the fall.”</p>
<p>and Mom2collegekids is correct, they have an excellent Book Arts program.</p>
<p>I received my MLIS from UT in 2008 and am currently a working academic librarian. UA is very well thought of with regards to their Library Science program. They have a non-working link under undergraduate degrees that says Library Sciences, but I can’t find any classes listed under the 500 level which is just as well. A Bachelors in Library science would be useless; you need a Masters to find work as a professional librarian. </p>
<p>You can major in anything at the undergrad level, especially if you’re planning on going into academic librarianship. Many subject specialists are expected to have a minimum of 2 Masters: the MLIS plus a Masters in their subject area. Law Librarians must have their J.D. in addition to their MLIS. </p>
<p>I started my MLS at Rutgers as an on-campus student, but had to transfer to UT via the online program after DH was relo’d. If you have any questions about in-person vs. online, I’d be happy to share.</p>
<p>^^^Wow, you guys are great. Thanks so much for the info. As it turns out, the ALA convention is in New Orleans this year. Are CE credits required/offered for working librarians? All my relatives do have bachelors degrees. Some in art, some in education, and some in biology. A brief read of the Alabama program did ask for some proficiency in computers. The older folks will need to get some computer training, and they were curious what kind of coursework they should pursue to get them prepared to apply for the program. There are local public unis and CCs that may offer some courses that they could take, but I’m hoping to get some guidance.</p>
<p>Again, thank you so much for the feedback!</p>
<p>For a newly minted MLIS recipient, you have to have some basic HTML and social media skills. I know long time librarians who couldn’t figure out how to do that, but they have 20+ years of experience. One of my summer projects is to learn about & implement QR codes because we are planning on rolling out some marketing using them. It’s a field that has a lot of tech in it. New librarians really have to have a tech skill set especially since the field is so competitive for finding a job. </p>
<p>I would DEFINITELY encourage them to go to the ALA conference for the day. You can get an exhibits only pass for $25/day. I went to ALA in NYC back in the 90’s when I was just a library assistant and it was wonderful to see the world of professional librarianship.</p>
<p>^^^Thanks for the tip. I will go to ALA website and find out about how to gain entrance. Will be on the lookout for some computer skill classes as well. Thanks, again!</p>
<p>Go to [Registration</a> Information | ALA Annual](<a href=“http://alaannual.org/content/registration-information]Registration”>http://alaannual.org/content/registration-information) </p>
<p>Scroll down the page to where it says “Exhibits only”. That’s the info you’d want. Full conference admission includes all the seminars, speakers, ceremonies, blah, blah, blah…</p>