Librarians in training

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 06:42:49 GMT

I have a quick question about the application process. I'm applying to SJSU for Spring 2009 and I graduate with my BA in December 2008. People have suggested that I should wait until I actually have my BA in hand before I apply, but others I know go straight from Undergrad to Grad like I'm planning to so I don't expect it to be a problem (and if it is, I can always reapply). Anyway, there is a part of the application where it asks for the number of units completed at each of my undergrad colleges and total number of transferable units. Do I put the number that I have actually completed at this point or the number that I expect to have completed by December? Thanks so much.

Edit: Okay, nevermind. I figured it out for myself and sent off the application! Wish me luck.

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 02:56:51 GMT

I started library school today and I was just curious... I've never worked in a library before. Everyone in my program is saying how important job experience is to finding a job after graduation. I've applied for about 10-15 jobs, all of which are part time, student internship style jobs and a few working at the circulation desk. but I cannot get a job in a library doing anything.

Does anyone have any advice on finding jobs in a library when you have no experience working in one? I've been interested in archives, but my program doesn't really offer a lot of archive classes, and they seem to be the most picky.

Academic Common Market

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 15:26:22 GMT

Hey guys,
I can't really figure out if I qualify for acceptance into the Academic Common Market. My state's (Arkansas) qualifications say I cannot qualify if I've lived in Arkansas while attending college. I must live in Arkansas for 6 months after graduation and prove I worked full time during that 6 months. Now, I am a senior finishing up my undergrad. I've been living in Arkansas for the last two years while in college (as well as the summers and holidays). I've have apartment leases for 2 full years in Arkansas. I have a driver's license and I am married to someone from Arkansas. I've had a part time job in arkansas for 3 years! Heck, I even receive food stamps from Arkansas.
Is this not going to cut it simply because I've been in college?

website with qualifications: http://www.arkansashighered.com/AcademicAffairs/ACM.htm

click on "Certification Process"

I appreciate any light shed on this inquiry.

GRE - practice test vs. actual test

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:33:30 GMT

Hello all,

I was wondering how similar the practice test is to the actual test? I have reviewed the information online and the powerprep CD-ROM but I am still a little nervous about the test. Any input is helpful.

Opinions

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:38:16 GMT

Hello all! I'm starting to look at different library schools around here (Chicago suburbs area), and the school that's closest to my hometown is Dominican. Has anyone gone there? If so, can you tell me what you thought of the classes, professors, etc.? Thanks!

personal statements and other sundries

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 00:30:37 GMT

Hi everyone,

I'm currently an M.A. candidate in English, and I've decided to go to library school once this course of study has concluded. I'm a little anxious about applying though because I'm not sure if my English academic tendencies will translate well in this new medium. Specifically, what should I include in my personal statement? (For Eng apps, students generally write about their papers. Somehow, I don't think that's what the MLS admission committee is looking for.)

I have library experience, but that was two years ago now. Everyone I worked with at that library has moved on. Will it look bad if I don't have a letter of recommendation from them? The earliest deadline for the schools I'm interested in is January 1st. Is there anything I can be doing in the mean time to make myself a more attractive candidate? And finally, has any one else left their academic discipline to pursue library school? I'd really appreciate hearing about similar experiences.

Thanks!
Christine

Hi!

Sun, 24 Aug 2008 17:10:42 GMT

Hi everyone! I'm new here, and I have some questions. I am interested in possibly applying to Clarion University's MSLIS program, but I haven't worked in a library setting since high school and I want to be sure if this is the career path I wish to pursue. Should I volunteer in my local library to get practical experience? How can I be sure I will be helping out in ways that are beneficial to me being introduced to the field, and not just 'busywork' types of tasks? Should I try a smaller neighborhood branch or the main city one, where there is an art collection (I have a BA in Studio Art)? Can anyone tell me about Clarion's program specifically? What books or websites do you all recommend I take a look at to research the field?

Thanks much!

Maryland iSchool orientation

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 03:07:26 GMT

Anybody going on Monday?

- Anna

san jose state

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:41:41 GMT

Has anyone attended San Jose State's library school program recently (or is currently attending) with a focus on archival studies? What was your impression of the course offerings, instructors, institutional support? Any sense of how the archives specialization within the MLIS is going to develop with the introduction of the archives masters program this fall?

Also, I've frequently heard in a more general library context that the institution where you get your MLIS matters less on the job market than your work experience while in library school -- is this also true of archives?

(Context: I'm planning on starting library school in fall 2009, aiming for a career in archives. San Jose State is the school that makes the most sense logistically, but I would like to get a sense of whether it would be worthwhile to consider other options.)

Decisions, Decisions

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 19:01:09 GMT

I know this is getting to be a little late, but I am really struggling with the decision on where to attend graduate school for my MLS/MLIS degree. Any help or advice on the schools or programs would be greatly appreciated. The two SLIS programs in consideration are Kent State University in Columbus and Indiana University in Bloomington. My career interests could change after taking some classes, but I currently want to pursue the areas of Archives, Information Technology, and Cataloging. I have heard that the program does not really matter all that much as long as you have the degree, but I don't know how these schools are perceived by employers or by the library community in general.

Kent State:
I would be attending the program at the Columbus location, not at the main campus, and I would receive in-state tuition since I am an Ohio resident. I am familiar with Columbus, and it is close to where I currently live so I would not be far from family and friends. Plus, it is a big city with plenty of social as well as employment opportunities so that I can gain work experience during school. Since I will not be attending the main campus, I will not have access to all the activities or privileges that a university can provide, but that probably would not make much difference for graduate school. I would most likely stay in Columbus, or at least Ohio, upon graduation, and that might give me an advantage when looking for jobs. Kent State is one of the largest universities in the state, but I'm not sure how well-known it is outside of Ohio. This program is ranked decently (#19) according to U.S. News, and I might be interested in two concentrations which would increase the time required to complete the degree. Kent State does not have a dual degree option that I am interested in pursuing, or that I can complete at the Columbus location.

IU:
The program is in Indiana, so I would be paying out-of-state tuition which could be substantial. I did receive a partial scholarship for the fall and spring semesters which would make tuition comparable to that of Kent State, but there is no guarantee that I would receive any other funding for the remainder of the program, especially during the summer semester(s). Bloomington is over three hours away, so I would not be able to visit family/friends often and vice versa. Basically, the only employment opportunities in the library field would be at the university since it is the biggest employer in the area, and other jobs would be scarce. Bloomington is a nice, but small college town filled with mostly undergrad students during the year, and other social activities not revolving around the school might be more difficult to find. However, IU is a good school with a fairly high-ranking (#7) MLS program according to U.S. News, and I could earn a dual MLS/MIS degree while attending which could increase the length of time required to three years.

Please help...what would you do in my situation? Sorry for the long post. Thanks.

Library Science Graduate Admissions?

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:57:00 GMT

Hey guys,
I've been lurking around here all summer and have a question or two about Admissions into Graduate SLIS programs.
Starting this fall, I will be a senior at a private, undergraduate Liberal Arts college in central Arkansas. I've decided to apply for Graduate school in Library Science and am currently doing all the preliminary shopping around.
I'm a little concerned about general admission requirements,though. It seems that most universities admit students with a 3.0 GPA or higher and GRE scores hovering around 1000. My final GPA will not be quite a 3.0--more like 2.8. Is this going to hinder my admissions potential? My GPA for junior and senior level semesters is well over a 3.0 (I had a rough freshman year) and I do not doubt that I can make over a 1000 on the GRE. Should I worry?
Also, it is really important that I try and attain some kind of assistantship in graduate school. I've had a Federal Work Study Job at my college library for the past 2 years and plan on volunteering at the local Public library this next year. Is there anything else I should be doing to make myself a viable candidate for an assistantship?
I really appreciate any responses. I've been getting myself all worked up.

Top Schools for Academic Librarianship

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:56:12 GMT

Hi all,
I'm applying to MLS programs this fall, and would appreciate some advice: I know for many librarian jobs, the institution at which you get your MLS doesn't matter, but for academic librarian jobs, it can be an important factor. What are some of the best/most prestigious programs for academic librarianship? U.S. News (which should be taken with a grain of salt anyway) and my Google-fu have produced paltry results.

I'd greatly appreciate any kind of input. Thanks so much in advance!

help!

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 20:11:28 GMT

I'm taking a single class at Illinois LEEP program to transfer into my program and I'm having so many issues. Just simple stuff, like when the semester starts. The link for the online classes. I'm so panicked. I emailed the lady who I thought had registered me and told her I still have no clue about anything in this program.

Is anyone else at LEEP? Can you help me? Please????

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 02:20:15 GMT

Hello:

I'm new to this site --- so let me start by saying that I am currently enrolled in a MLS program ... i've got a good year and 1/2 left and I'm also working full-time at a prestigious research library as a technical assistant. i want to get into academic librarianship or rarebooks/manuscripts ... which means i definitely need a 2nd MA ... im stuck between Art History and Classics ... I love both areas actually but I'm not sure which is more relevant for rare books/prints etc. So I'm deciding which one might be better suited for me if I wish to get into rarebooks curatorship/librarianship.

Thanks!

UIUC

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:30:37 GMT

Hi! I'm a senior undergrad at UIUC and I'm very seriously thinking about applying to library school. Since U of I has such a good reputation, it's absolutely my top choice. I have around a 3.4 gpa, with excellent reccs, and I can write an essay. I'm majoring in East Asian Languages and Cultures with a minor in International Studies. I would ideally like to work in archiving or in developmental literacy. I also volunteer tutoring illiterate adults and help the local friends of the library.

How competitive is UIUC? I noticed I don't need a GRE.

dressing for success

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 01:42:11 GMT

i'm moving in about a week to start library school in alabama. i got an amazing assistantship and i'm really looking forward to the work. but i have a question: how should i dress? i mean, on the one hand, it is a college campus. but on the other hand, i'm going to be getting a professional degree. i don't want to look like a slob, but i really despise dressing up.

does dressing up impress my professors or should i only dress up when i'm working on my job (not necessarily my classes)?

any advice anyone can give on this subject would be helpful. i am someone who usually doesn't pay attention to unspoken rules and etiquette so if there is something i should know, please tell me!

acess vs sql

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:52:38 GMT

When doing self study concerning databases...what to do? I already have HTML/CSS/XML down.

What to learn first: access or SQL?

a) Access
b) SQL
c) Access then SQL
d) SQL then access
e) something else, which I will explain in my comment

Also, do you think that taking an Access/database class at the local community college would be worth it? I can take one online in the fall.

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 01:46:39 GMT

does anyone have any recommendations for some kind of book or something on the wonderful computer based requirements of library science, especially databases? I'm proficient enough that I can figure things out on my own, but the bulk of my skills come from past administrative work and I just don't want to make a total fool of myself when I start going out looking for work and they want computer skills I definintely don't have.

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:57:13 GMT

Tell me everything you know (if anything) about a joint JD/MSLIS at FSU.

CUNY Quuens, NY

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:40:32 GMT

I'm starting at CUNY Queens in the Library Science: Archives & Recrods Management program.

Just wondering who else is starting here in the fall or who has gone to this school. Any tips or stories are great.

Anyone familiar with UT?

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:29:31 GMT

Does anyone have any experience or know anything at all about the SIS program at the University of Tennessee? I've been researching grad schools for a while and this one seems like the best choice for me, given that it recognizes the academic common market (I'm in West Virginia) and because it has an online program which I would have to utilize until my fiance and I can afford to relocate to Knoxville. Is it a quality program or should I look into something else?

I've got to start working on those grad school applications soon and was hoping you all might be able to give me a little insight. Thanks in advance!

How many courses during a semester?

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 17:40:08 GMT

Hi everyone, I have a question about how many courses to take for the fall semester. It turns out that I won't have to work then, so I can be a full-time student. I registered for four classes, two are online and two are in-person. As far as I know, none of them are exceptionally difficult. What do you think about that course load for someone who isn't working? Has anyone taken four classes before, and how did that work out for you? Thanks!

library jobs during school

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 14:36:28 GMT

Hello again,
I have a question for any Drexel students/grads or those familiar with looking for jobs in Philly-
I am starting Drexel's MLIS in September and I will have to work full-time or close to full-time to support myself while I'm there. I know the NYPL has a library trainee program that pays fairly well, does the Free library or any others in Philadelphia have a program for MLIS students? Where is a good place to look for library jobs online? I live in upstate NY until late August so I need to get some preliminary searching done. If I cannot find a library job, I am willing to volunteer while I work in a different field but I'd prefer to kill two birds with one stone, i.e. get paid and get relevant experience. Any suggestions for job searches in Philadelphia, programs, or previous employers you've worked for would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

distance learning programs w/o GRE requirements

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 11:00:20 GMT

Hi

Which schools don't require GRE scores to enroll in their MLIS program? I've noticed that it's not a admissions requirement for LEEP and Drexel will waive the requirement if your undergrad GPA is high enough. Any others?

Thanks!

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:46:42 GMT

I'd like to talk to people who are currently enrolled in distance learning programs - see what they think of the program they're currently in, etc. I'd also appreciate general thoughts and recommendations on specific distance learning programs, as well as thoughts on distance education. I'm interested in programs that offer a fair portion of their regular courses online, and have a strong IT focus.

Is anyone enrolled in the UW Milwaukee program? What about the University of South Carolina's program?

Lastly, the previous post mentions the Peace Corps. I've heard before of people using their library school education in their time in the Peace Corps, and if anyone has had that experience I'd love to hear about it.