Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion
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I'm not a librarian but a teacher, I just wanted to say congratulations for this step forward toward your dream! If you decide to go back to school to do it I have a couple suggestions; wait a bit and see how you like working in a library, that'll be the best way to determine if it's right for you.Also talk to your local librarians of any library and find out what education they have/required and also what your chances are of full time employment when you're finished. That's my biggest issue being a teacher is that my perceived demand for them was wildly inaccurate, and there are no jobs.
It's always worth going for your dreams! I hope you get lots of more relevant and specific advice! Good luck 😘
I'm also not a "librarian" but I work as a cataloger in a university library system. I don't have an MLIS. I started it but found that I could get jobs of similar pay without one. I'd love to have the degree, there's just not enough high paying jobs to make it worth while to me. I've got a lot of undergraduate debt. It kinda depends on 1) if you have the ability to take on the extra debt for the next ten years (it can take many years to get a higher paying job) 2) if you are willing to move to land a job 3) if you don't want to move, does your area have high paying professional jobs and how "flooded" is the area for applicants? (I had to run from Ohio because I couldn't even get a library page job...too many people wanting to work in libraries in Ohio!)I love working in a library though...I love working with people and opening their minds to new books and resources. I love getting to see the books first, and having some say in the books we get!
Sara Grace wrote: " I don't have an MLIS. I started it but found that I could get jobs of similar pay without one. I'd love to have the degree, there's just not enough high paying jobs to make it worth while to me.I love working in a library though...I love working with people and opening their minds to new books and resources. I love getting to see the books first, and having some say in the books we get! ..."
I heartily agree with Sara Grace. I work at a library. I have moved up from a Library Aide (working at the circulation desk) to a Programing Aide. I do have a bachelors degree but not my Masters. We have 5 full time Library degree people in my library but we have 40 or so part timers. I work 25 hours a week and I love my job. I get to sit at the Children's Reference desk and I help with programs. I get to plan my own programs as well as help with established programs.... story times, STEAM programs, I help with one of our adult book clubs and more. I also love opening peoples minds to new resources and helping parents find just the right book for their children.
One of the full time librarians keeps trying to "encourage" me to get my degree but I have decided it is not for me. I love my job and don't have the money or willpower to go for my Masters. I am 56 years old though and that may have added to my decision.
I applaud you if you choose to go for you Masters but do your research and make sure it is want you want. My friend's daughter went for her masters in Library Science and had to move out of state to find a job, and she was young. I am doing what I want in my job without the Masters. Best of luck as you find what is right for you.
Sara Grace wrote: "I'm also not a "librarian" but I work as a cataloger in a university library system. I don't have an MLIS. I started it but found that I could get jobs of similar pay without one. I'd love to have ..."What is a cataloger? What kind of duties does that job entail?
Thank you for the input, I greatly appreciate it! I LOVE my job so far but it is not a salary that I will be able to "build a life" on. My biggest apprehension so far has been taking on the additional debt of a Master's while I'm still struggling to pay off my Bachelor's. I definitely plan on doing more research and finding other options but it's nice to know that there are careers in this field that do not require additional schooling. I am definitely interested in researching and learning more about those options!On a side note...isn't it sad that we have to worry so much about student debt and that for many (myself included) it is the only thing keeping us from our "dream" careers?
I know the full time librarian that tried to encourage me to go for my Masters said there were some grants out there. You may want to research that as well.
Nicole wrote: "Sara Grace wrote: "I'm also not a "librarian" but I work as a cataloger in a university library system. I don't have an MLIS. I started it but found that I could get jobs of similar pay without one..."Hi Nicole: In a nutshell, catalogers put the records for the materials (books, dvds, etc) into the catalog so you can search and find the books you want at the library :) It's not an easy job, especially in a university where there are a lot more books! Its not for everyone. I've never liked it, and I used to work acquisitions, or buying materials, for the library. My job got absorbed and I was pushed into a new job in cataloging, for no extra pay. I miss working with people!
Taylor wrote: "Thank you for the input, I greatly appreciate it! I LOVE my job so far but it is not a salary that I will be able to "build a life" on. My biggest apprehension so far has been taking on the additio..."YES. Especially those of us who are first generation college goers. I can't qualify for loan refinancing because I don't make enough, and my mother makes LESS than I do, so I can't have her as a cosigner either! Ugh. So I'm stuck with a 12% interest rate on one of my loans. IT IS SICKENING. I keep trying to get a second job, but no one likes to hire part-time folks if they have day jobs. I've tried!
Hi! I'm a librarian and I'll do my best to answer your questions. First, I'm a youth services librarian at a mid-sized pubic library. My major responsibilities include doing weekly programs for elementary age students and purchasing books for that age as well. I do storytimes for preschool age on a rotating basis. I also work at the reference desk 4+ times a week.
I love a lot of things about my job. For the most part, it is a low stress environment. I love doing programs for the kids and I think I put on a really good storytime. It's job where I can be really creative and that really suits my personality. I also love helping people find the right book for them. It's really satisfying when they come back and tell me they liked the book I choose.
The hardest part of the job is when you have to let someone leave angry or upset. I've only had to do that a handful of times but I try to think about it afterwards and come up with a solution that would work better the next time. I'm just not good with conflict. >_<
Why do I keep doing it? The reasons I listed above. Like others before me have said, it's not easy to find full-time work. It also pays less than almost any other job that requires a master's degree. I feel really glad that I found a job that I love and pays enough money for cost of living and then some. There was a time when I had to quit being a librarian for about 5 years. I moved abroad and became an ESL teacher. I liked it but not nearly as much as being a librarian. I feel like I got really lucky to find the job I have now and I hope it's one I won't have to give up anytime soon.
Sadly, I don't feel like I can recommend any good books. Everything I've read about librarianship seems dated as soon as it is published. It is an ever-changing field. I'd recommend that you find some library blogs or join social media groups (library employee support network on facebook is one). Also see if your library would be willing to send you to library conferences. Sometimes big branch libraries will have library-related interest groups.
I wish you the best of luck on your potential career change! Feel free to send me a message if you have any other questions.
Sara Grace wrote: "Nicole wrote: "Sara Grace wrote: "I'm also not a "librarian" but I work as a cataloger in a university library system. I don't have an MLIS. I started it but found that I could get jobs of similar ..."Oh, that stinks that your old position got absorbed & now you're in a job you don't like. Hopefully with time, you'll be able to move into another, better position for you that would allow you to work with people more. It sounds like a job I would like okay, as I'm not a fan of working with the public and don't mind computer data entry, but I bet it could get pretty monotonous after a while. Still, it might be something that I would be interested in at some point in the future. Thanks for elaborating on the job description!
I am a librarian and have been for 40 years. Currently I am an adjunct librarian at a local public community college where I teach classes in information literacy and provide research assistance on demand. I have worked as a public librarian and also taught in a master's program (MLS). For most of my career I was a secondary school librarian. I love my job, even with its ups and downs. Every day is different. There are so many opportunities to be creative and to explore ways of interacting & learning with and from my students and colleagues. It is never dull. It can be stressful when there's so much going on especially as a solo librarian. I designed and developed curriculum with great colleagues and worked closely with so many students. The personal connections have been great. I recently met former students from my high school job at the college; what fun! I ran fun programs and found real satisfaction in participating actively in professional organisations. I was paid on the teachers' scale which was a livable wage in my area and included good health care and a defined benefits pension. I can certainly understand everyone's concerns about the cost of and time investment of this additional education. I hope you all find ways to follow and realize your dreams.
Taylor wrote: "Hello everyone! I recently accepted a position with my local high school to be an Educational Assistant in their library. Being a librarian, especially a school librarian, is something I have alway..."Hi Taylor, Congrats on your new job! I work in a small town public library, but because we are the county seat and have the courthouse (and jail) in town we are a very busy hub! Working in a small library I get to do a little bit of everything: cataloging, acquisitions, circulation, reference, scheduling, displays, programs, even assisting our children's librarian with finding fun crafts. Like many of the other library professionals here I really enjoy the creative side of the job, but I also enjoy the constantly growing and changing demands of the job. I love mulling over the best place to catalog one of those in-between subject non-fiction books. I love successfully purchasing a book that no one thought would circulate and yet was a hit with our patrons. I love finding the answer for a patron who has gone to several other sources with the their question. There are some things I do not love like the patrons who are a little frightening, but don't have any where else to go to escape the rain. Usually they are recently released from jail and are waiting for the bus back to the main town. I do not love when other librarians in the consortium ignore discussed guidelines for cataloging that are meant to reduce confusion for patrons. I do not love how large my TBR pile has gotten because of all the good books I hear about all day long! (LOL)
My advice to you would be to give this new job a year. Learn EVERYTHING you can from as many different perspectives as you can, and if you feel it in your bones that this is what you will find satisfaction doing for the rest of your life, then grab that MLS with both hands. If the certainty of the job gives you pause I recommend finding a program that will give you an informations degree to tack on (such as the program from the University of Washington) since that will open up career possibilities in the corporate world. People who know how to organize information and make it easily accessible are useful in a variety of ways!
As far as professional literature is concerned I would suggest checking out the periodical Library Journal and also go to the ALA website and get lost in all the amazing information available (including some scholarship information). Check your local area library association (at the state level and if your library is big enough the local level) sometimes there are also scholarships available. If you are employed through a city or county sometimes they have grant money specifically available for employees wanting to increase their skills through education that can help pay. You'll also find information on those sites about current job openings and rates of pay. You'll find information about different kinds of librarians and the requirements for them. You'll find articles about challenges and triumphs in the field. It's a wonderland stuff to read and questions to be answered!
I wish the very best of luck! Cheers!
What I'm asking is, why do you love being a librarian? Why do you keep doing it? What are your favorite and least favorite parts? I'm looking for any insight or advice you can give me into why I should, or should not, go back to school to pursue this further. Feel free to send me a message in my inbox as well. Additionally, if you know of any great books relating to being or becoming a librarian I would appreciate those recommendations as well.
Thanks in advance, and I look forward to hearing from you!