Careers in Libraries: Getting Your MLIS

Librarians

Academic librarian positions almost always require a graduate degree in library and/or information science that is accredited by the American Library Association. Occasionally, depending on the assignment, other subject master's degrees are required. The UO Library School was suspended in 1978 and has not offered credit coursework since then. The closest accredited library schools in the Pacific Northwest are University of Washington in Seattle, and San Jose State University in California. There are now many options available for distance education programs, as well. The American Library Association has the complete directory for accredited programs for the United States and Canada.

Academic Librarianship:

Examples of academic librarian specialities include:

• reference librarians: work directly with patrons in helping them develop a strategy for their research needs

• instruction librarians: teach users how to access materials

• subject specialists: work with departmental representatives to help select materials for the library collections

• acquisitions librarians: procure materials from vendors

• collection development librarians: work with subject specialists, departmental representatives, and acquisitions librarians to develop the scope of the collections

• catalog librarians: process the materials so that they are accessible to the public

• systems librarians: manage behind-the-scenes network operations

• web librarians

• personnel librarians

• rare books and manuscripts, special collections, and archives

• law library careers

• area-specific librarians, such as: math, science, humanities, history, languages or area studies, government documents, geography and GIS, business, music, art,  architecture, digital collections, etc.

There are many other types of librarians:

• public librarians (also see the Public Library Association, a division of the American Library Association)

• school/media librarians

• corporate or special (companies such as Time/Warner, government agencies, The Los Angeles Times, Microsoft, pharmaceutical companies, medical and/or hospital libraries--anywhere information is gathered and sought!)
   

Great Resources to Check Out!

• Ask a Librarian! Contact your local library and make an appointment with their human resources manager, library director, or a specialist in an area you are considering. Librarians love to talk about the work they do! For the UO Libraries, contact Laine Stambaugh, Director, Library Human Resources, (541) 346-1895. She would be happy to discuss a career in libraries with you.

• Association of Research Libraries

• Become a Librarian (New Jersey Library Association--great information here!)

• Financial Assistance for Library and Information Studies

• Guidelines for Choosing a Master's Program in Library and Information Studies

• Intuit QuickBase: Library & Information Science Resources on the Web

• NEWLIB-L: The Discussion List for New Librarians

• Resources for Prospective Graduate Students in Library and Information Studies

• Scholarship Opportunities

• Straight from the Stacks: A Firsthand Guide to Careers in Library and Information Science by Laura Townsend Kane, 2003 [book available in Knight Library: Z682.35.V62 K36 2003]. Check catalog for status: http://janus.uoregon.edu.
   
• U.S. News & World Report Rankings for Top Library Schools
   
• University of Washington's Information School (lots of great information here!)