It seems to be a librarian kind of day ...

[rubygirl29]

I rarely write in response to an editorial, but this made me both angry and thoughtful. Is an MLIS degree still relevant? Or can you learn the skills on the job?

This is the editorial From Library Journal

And This is how I responded.

Comments

[black_raven135]

".....my master’s degree......also grounded me in supervisory skills, in library management, and collection development."

You don't learn how to be a manager or a supervisor by academic endeavor. You are either management material or not.
I have seen some who believe since the know their job and have academic credentials it is automatic.
They could not be further from the truth.

I suspect in your case the ability was already there, but in reading this attachment it seems very dismissive to me.

[rubygirl29]

I had a professor who was also a library director. His classes were invaluable in translating what I had learned from being a supervisor in retail, to relating to library staff and job duties. It's not as simple as it sounds. I stand by the the value of my degree.

[black_raven135]

I stand by the the value of my degree.

You misunderstand
I am NOT demeaning your degree, I am merely stating that individuals are either leaders, managers or supervisors or they are not.
I have witnessed this over and over again when I was in the military and later in my last job.......
While academics are (((((((valuable))))), they do not automatically translate into good supervisors or managers.

While the individual who penned that article was dismissive in tone, I am NOT doing that to you so please don't associate my comments in same light.

[rubygirl29]

Oh, I'm not! Don't worry. :-) I know librarians who despite their degrees can't function as supervisors. They usually work in non-supervisory jobs, but they're still making good use of their degrees. I hope I'm a good supervisor. My staff hasn't complained!

[spikespet7]

The problem is the idiots with the degrees that still function like they were pulled off the street and then the people off the street know more than the one with the degree.

I do believe there are individuals that can teach themselves and learn well enough that they could do just as well without it.

A degree does not make you better at your job it just enhances what you should know about doing your job. Some even the degree does nothing to help them.

I think to work in a library one could learn on the job but to make the library be all it can be for those that need it, love it, appreciate it....then higher education is the key to make it happen.

Kimber