<p>RobD and EngProfMom, so it sounds like librarians are making the shift or have made the shfit to being instructors in intelligent search and the users/teachers of new software for parsing/sorting the flood of available information/data. So, they switched out of buggy-whip manufacturers to driving instructors. That is very encouraging.</p>
<p>Two questions:</p>
<p>Are the professors of library science the ones who are teaching students who to become driving instructors? (I.e., have schools of library science built the competence to match the new reality?)</p>
<p>Have the librarians we expected to retire over the last five years and maybe will retire over the next five made this transition as well?</p>
<p>Well, I have a somewhat limited knowledge of MIS/MLS programs, that is, based on the school I attended (Michigan) and academic librarians/archivists (etc) I know who went to other schools (Urbana Champaign) as well as some local knowledge of schools in places that I’ve lived. The schools vary pretty widely, and the challenge of the classes also varies. I found that most of my professors at Michigan were extremely knowledgeable, and that I also learned quite a bit from many of my fellow students, as there were lots of group projects. The work experience that the other students as well as profs brought with them was useful.</p>
<p>Much knowledge that the older librarians have is still quite valuable. One example involves a MLS-type class that I took, on “Use of Info” in which we had assignments where I learned a lot about reference interviewing, how to get the user to focus a question, how to find out quickly what routes the user has already tried, that sort of thing. Another class that I got less out of, although the prof (in cognitive psych) was quite knowledgeable, was in the evaluation of systems and services. I got less out of it because I never particularly liked psych, and had limited interest in comparing experiments over time etc. I did learn the basics of setting up a focus group, doing an IRB proposal, that sort of thing.</p>
<p>Schools vary widely. Now that there are many online programs, I imagine they will continue to vary widely. A lot depends on the attitude and quality of your fellow students. I don’t know if this helps you (and others considering the MLS) but I had very good experience.</p>
<p>I recently applied for a job as assistant librarian at a private hs. I have no prior experience- BS in business mgmt & seeking to return to work after 15 yrs home w/ kids & volunteering. Apparently the competetion was extremely qualified-- loads of expereince & some w/ Masters in LS. The job went to someone w/ 10 yrs public library expereince. So if you pursue this, be sure to get your foot in the door at the start, volunteering at your library so the first hiring available will go to you.</p>
<p>I feel really divided reading about all this. Part of me grieves for what may be the loss of a valuable field. I truly understand how important it is to switch gears, and at least incorporate (or alternatively, specialize) in technology-heavy LS. People are infatuated with the speed of computer-accessed information at the moment, but is there nothing to be said for traditional library science? Are we just going to abandon print books to recycling? I would die to get my students to read actual books, off the computer. Modern LS may be responding to public trends, but is the field not also feeding that demand? In the near future, will all libraries be considered merely “archives?” I’m wondering if there will be a reaction – like the current Slow Food Movement in response to a Fast Food America. I’d like the opinions of any experts or non-experts above.</p>
<p>I will say that some aspects of a non-paper world are long overdue – such as the absurd monetary & environmental waste of textbook edition updates requiring 500+ pages of a new edition because of a handful of changed math problems or other minor alterations. Some teachers & profs are joining the chorus of exasperated parents in this regard, and pressuring the publishing industry to produce economical updates via technology or small paper addenda. </p>
<p>FYI, appx 3 weeks ago I saw an online job post for an Ass’t Director of Library in Norwalk, CT (Fairfield County), metro NY area. The job’s posted salary was $90K-110M. I had no idea an “Assistant” Librarian would make that much. Granted this is an expensive area to live in. There were also many jobs at Yale for Librarians, but no salaries listed. I don’t know where you live, but you asked about salaries.</p>
<p>My guess is that Asst Director is not the same as Assistan Librarian; more managerial, and probably in charge of a “system” of libraries, not just one physical branch. Around here, MLIS Library Branch managers make in the $50-$60,000 range (supervising 8-10 staff, mostly para-professionals earning in the $15 per hour range.) Our school librarians are salaried on the same schedule as regular school teachers: earning $43,000 to start, though salary does not increase rapidly like in other areas. Public School librarians here need to have teacher certification as well as MLIS.</p>
<p>When my oldest who is now 22 was in grade 1 the school librarian retired. Since that time the school has never hired another credentialed librarian. The librarian’s asst took over the job until she moved to another school. She did all the same work but at a fraction of the salary. Ever since the librarian has been really a library aide. I think she earns just a few dollars higher versus the teachers aide. The teachers don’t love it since they have to stay in the library at library time since the librarian is not credentialed.
I think the bigger elementary district in the area has 2 credentialed librarians for about 10 schools. Every round of budget cuts the credentialed librarians are on the chopping block.
At the local branch library I frequent they employ a couple of credentialed librarians. Both of them have been there as long as I can remember. So someone getting a library science degree and wanting to work in our public libraries is out of luck. Also sadly the library system recently announced that the book mobile was being suspended. Several libraries closing on certain days of the week. The branch I use is now closing earlier and on Monday’s opening at 2 pm.</p>
<p>I am a senior undergrad thinking about library school. I have one year left of undergrad and then I will be graduating with a BA in english. It surprises me that psych_ commented that it is better to get a degree in a “hard science” since the librarians (at a public library where I work) have said they studied english during undergrad. Why would a BS in biology be better than a BA in english?</p>
<p>I am also a bit curious about the quality of library and information studies programs in the USA and Canada. I am interested in the programs at University of Michigan, UCLA, McGill, and the University of Alberta.</p>
<p>People in Info Science/Library Science actually have undergrad degrees in all kinds of things. English and Psych and Computer Science are some of the most represented majors. </p>
<p>One reason for getting a hard science degree plus an MIS or MLS is that there has generally been a “need” for science librarians. Another, that corporations, such as Pfizer, have a need for librarians. Still another, people who’ve had significant community organizing work, esp. with diverse communities, whether involving politics, the arts, what-have-you. </p>
<p>Most of the people that I’ve seen go farthest in terms of starting salary or getting offers right out of school, with a MIS/MLS, already have other advanced degrees, such as in law. For academic librarianship it’s a must to have another advanced degree.</p>