<p>I'm just wondering what the deal is with MLS programs. Why do you need a master's degree to work as a librarian? Is there really that much to learn about it? Does anybody know? I am kind of skeptical. This seems like the type of training for which a certificate program would make more sense. It's just hard to believe that these MLS programs could be academically rigorous. Is the MLS requirement for librarian jobs just a way for librarians to reduce the competition for library jobs and justify a higher salary for themselves? Are these programs just money-makers for universities? And now I hear that you can actually get a doctorate in "library science". What on Earth do people do in these programs that justifies the conferral of a doctorate?</p>
<p>looks easy</p>
<p>I am not sure what you do in the program, but 3 years ago I applied to 3 M.A. programs in History and applied to a Library Science program as a back up -- I ended up getting into all 3 M.A. programs (and these were funded ones b/c they are schools in Canada) and did not get into the MLIS program! They are very competitive to get into.</p>
<p>I know a library scientist and she's one of the most amazing researchers I've ever seen. To be a library scientist, it's essential that you know where to find any bit of knowledge that exists. It's pretty incredible.</p>
<p>My mother got an MA in LIS and from what I saw the program was quite rigorous. Most people are under the impression that librarians mainly reshelve books and collect fines. This is not the case; the public is not aware of most of what goes on in a library. My mother's MA taught her how to run such an organization (business/human resources training), fund it (write grants, apply for and use federal money, how to account for funding and file required financial/tax documents), comply with laws and professional ethics standards (copyright law, censorship rules, how to make materials accessible to those with any physical or learning disability, the intricacies of PATRIOT Act and other government reporting and how librarians can fight anti-privacy regulations), physical conservation of delicate materials such as old books, how to buy books/journals/databases and which ones to buy (since an individual librarian can't review every new resource the facility is considering, how do they find appropriate reviews to tell them which sources are most important for each field), how to use and fix computer programs, how to create websites and what makes a website good, and reference research. Reference research is a very involved skill; as a previous poster said, they need to be able to locate any obscure piece of data very quickly. I think there were other things she learned as well but they slip my mind...</p>
<p>I have considered going back to school for this. I have been working in healthcare for the past 25 years, and don't know if I have enough functioning neurons left to do it! How rigorous is the program?</p>
<p>I suspect it depends on the program. There are probably more and less rigorous programs for LIS like there are for any field. If you were able to complete nursing or medical training, though, LIS should be very doable. My mom worked on her Masters for four years during every spare minute and vacation period, but she was still working full time throughout.</p>