Library Science?

does anyone have a degree in library science and if so, from where and are you currently employed?

Re: Library Science?

I know 2 SAHM's who want back to school for a MLS. They both attended Dowling and finished 2-3 years ago. Both were able to find jobs in LI school districts. However, I'm not sure if the market has really changed in the last few years.

ETA: It was both of their opinions that they were attractive to school districts because they had prior careers. Once was in fiance (a VP) and the other an electrical engineer but on the business side. Not sure if that helps or even applies to your situation.

Re: Library Science?

Take me w/ a grain of salt since this is not my field, however, on another message board I frequent, people are saying this is not a good career to go into due to lotsa layoffs for people currently in this field (some laid off in Chicago area). Another person wrote she can't find a job and recently graduated. People who have related experience though are more optimistic. Keep in mind all of these people are out of state (i.e. CT, PA). Maybe if you post on the teachers forum as well they can give you some feedback about how this career looks in the school systems. Good luck!!

Re: Library Science?

I received my MLS in '93 and am currently a library director in Nassau County. I went to Queens College.

FM if you have any questions.

Re: Library Science?

At a recent conference, a speaker fromt he Bureau of Labor Statistics stated that library/information science is currently a growing field, and projected future job growth in this area. However, it probably does depend on the concentration and what you'd want to do with it. In the schools, I think the jobs are becoming more competitive, but there's more growth in corporate/legal types of positions.

Re: Library Science?

I have my MLS from CW Post and have been a librarian for about 9 years.

It depends on what kind of library you want to work in. Public Libray? School Library? Business? Medical? It seems right now hiring in public libraries is slowing down. Fewer people retiring and libraries with budgets administered by town / city governements are facing drastic reductions in their budgets. Not all public libraries are run by towns though and very few on LI are. You will see this mostly out of state.

If you are interested in school libraries you will need to take the teacher's exams to be certified. I have my coursework for school media but never took the teacher's exams.

I would try to go to Queens college ifyou are interested because it is MUCH cheaper than Post.

Re: Library Science?

You can also work in hospitals in their medical libraries with this degree.

Re: Library Science?

I just saw a job posting for a position like this in NYC and it was paying $85-90k!

Re: Library Science?

As a corporate librarian, particularly in big cities such as NYC and Chicago and Los Angeles, you can definitely make a decent salary. But you’re also putting in significant hours and dealing with high pressure situations and deadlines.

I went to library school out of state and graduated just over ten years ago. I would really recommend finding the least expensive library school to get your degree. There is a lot of discussion in library journals and blogs about the worth of a degree these days. In fact, Rutgers just voted to remove the word “library” from it’s library school (it’s now the School of Communication and Information). A lot of jobs that used to require an MLS are now requiring a BA.

Re: Library Science?

I have my MS in library science from CW Post and have worked in a variety of settings: I was a trainee at NYPL while getting my degree (they paid for 75% of the degree), then I worked in 4 different corporate libraries, was laid off from 2 (they cut support services like libraries first,) then worked at a public library on LI for 5 years. Now I'm a SAHM. There was a lot I liked about it (the variety of settings you can work in, as well as some other things), but I never truly LOVED what I did. I did also get my certification for school media after I got my degree. When I went to school, Queens College was much cheaper, but my friends who went there definitely had more work. It was a harder program. And it took them longer to get the degree. At the time, the way queens offered their required courses made it hard to fit everything in if someone was also working full time.

Overall, it really is a good career with many different options. But I would say only go for it if it REALLY interests you.

Feel free to FM me if you have any questions.

Re: Library Science?

thanks everyone. its actually for my sister not me. i will forward her the info :)

Re: Library Science?

My husband has a MLS from CW Post and works in a school. He has been a teacher and a media special/librarian.

Re: Library Science?

I had spoken to someone at PWC about a potential opportunity, however, I didn't have a masters of library science so they were hesitant in hiring me, which made no sense being I had done the job they were hiring for, for over 9 years. (no bitter lol)

ANYWAY...

They job was for a research analyst, using databases such as Lexis, Westlaw, Autotrack, etc.