I have a questions for a smarty pants librarian type:
I think I am going to get my masters in Library Science, and in my research, I found that WNC has an on line program. Is this okay? Do I have to go to a 'name' school to be employable?
I went online and I found myself very employable, but I also went to a name school. However, most of the country is in need of librarians so as long as the school is accredited you should be fine. US News hasn't ranked library programs since 1999, so that list is so out of date it it not even worth purchasing. I do know offhand though Chappel Hill is one of the best if not the best in the country. I'm not sure if they have an online program.
Also, if you have any inkling of techinal skills or like the quiet a little more than you like people you may want to consider cataloging/technical services in the library world. You'd still be a librarian, but tech services/catalogers are in high demand. They're kinda like the accounts of library world and not that many folks want to be one, therefore jobs for catalogers are rather easy to get.
Three of our staff members have done the online programs through UT and they've all had no problem getting jobs. I did some of my program online, and it wasn't really all that bad.
The only drawback I see about UNC is that UNC-Chapel Hill, and Duke, and another NC school all have very well-known and very big library programs. That means that the market in NC for librarians is kinda flooded. Meaning you guys may have to relocate after you finish your degree.
Good luck and seriously, if you want to talk about it...I'm happy to help.
Thanks guys. NCCU has an online program and they are accredited, so maybe I can try there. I really need in state tuition.
I am hoping to be a school librarian so I have Henry hours. Maybe that isn't very likely, huh? I need to do more research before I jump into something. I have lately been struck by the fear that I will be working menial jobs that I hate for the rest of my life because I chose to get a lit. degree, lol. Ugh.
School librarian is harder to get, but even working at a public or university library your hours won't be horrific as a cataloger/tech services.
For example, I work 9-5.30, but a co-worker who likes to be able to pick up her kid from school works 7.30-3.00 by skipping her lunch break. It's all about who your boss is and how flexible they feel like being.
The problem with going the school librarian route is that the pay sucks and whole bunch of other mothers in your area have the exact same idea. Academic libraries that consider librarians faculty members are the best bet, good pay, state benefits, and so forth.
All in all, any route to library world that you take is gonna be a good one. It's a very satisfying career and you get to play with books! What better place for a lit major?
I'd actually been meaning to ask you about this, as I'm considering the same! University of Washington has an accredited online program (I checked through the ALA) and it's within a three-hour drive. It's just expensive.
No scoop on them. But if you applied to my university with a degree from there we'd be happy to consider you. One thing I know about university libraries is that they prefer to hire people with degrees from out of state. It looks better and gives the illusion of a more diverse culture to have librarians from a variety of different universities. That means that being willing to relocate is going to help you get hired. But I think that's the case in most fields.
I strongly suggest the library field to anybody who thinks they could get into it. It's a good field, and there's a ton of openings that are going to be coming up across the board due to retirements. I think the current average age of librarians is around 58, that means a large percent of the workforce is seriously considering retirement. And the library schools aren't making enough librarians to fill the void. Particularly in the cataloging field.
I think I am going to get my masters in Library Science, and in my research, I found that WNC has an on line program. Is this okay? Do I have to go to a 'name' school to be employable?
Help me, Obi Wan...
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This shows accredited online programs.
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/elearning/tables/lib_reg_prof.htm
Also here is an ALA accredited list of all schools:
http://www.ala.org/ala/accreditation/lisdirb/Alphaaccred.htm
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Also, if you have any inkling of techinal skills or like the quiet a little more than you like people you may want to consider cataloging/technical services in the library world. You'd still be a librarian, but tech services/catalogers are in high demand. They're kinda like the accounts of library world and not that many folks want to be one, therefore jobs for catalogers are rather easy to get.
Three of our staff members have done the online programs through UT and they've all had no problem getting jobs. I did some of my program online, and it wasn't really all that bad.
The only drawback I see about UNC is that UNC-Chapel Hill, and Duke, and another NC school all have very well-known and very big library programs. That means that the market in NC for librarians is kinda flooded. Meaning you guys may have to relocate after you finish your degree.
Good luck and seriously, if you want to talk about it...I'm happy to help.
Reply
I am hoping to be a school librarian so I have Henry hours. Maybe that isn't very likely, huh? I need to do more research before I jump into something. I have lately been struck by the fear that I will be working menial jobs that I hate for the rest of my life because I chose to get a lit. degree, lol. Ugh.
Reply
For example, I work 9-5.30, but a co-worker who likes to be able to pick up her kid from school works 7.30-3.00 by skipping her lunch break. It's all about who your boss is and how flexible they feel like being.
The problem with going the school librarian route is that the pay sucks and whole bunch of other mothers in your area have the exact same idea. Academic libraries that consider librarians faculty members are the best bet, good pay, state benefits, and so forth.
All in all, any route to library world that you take is gonna be a good one. It's a very satisfying career and you get to play with books! What better place for a lit major?
Reply
Have you heard any scoop about them?
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I strongly suggest the library field to anybody who thinks they could get into it. It's a good field, and there's a ton of openings that are going to be coming up across the board due to retirements. I think the current average age of librarians is around 58, that means a large percent of the workforce is seriously considering retirement. And the library schools aren't making enough librarians to fill the void. Particularly in the cataloging field.
Good luck.
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