So You Want to be a Librarian? A Guide For Those Considering an MLS, Current Students & Job Seekers

September 1, 2010 · by Bobbi Newman · in Librarianship · 59 Comments

I get a lot of email asking for advice either on getting an MLS, the job search or the skills needed. So I’ve pulled together a list of the best of the best advice for potential MLS students, current students and job seekers. In cases where the titles are not self explanatory I’ve grabbed a sentence or two from the post to give context

The Degree

So, You Want To Be A Librarian? Part I
What the eff can you do with a MLIS/Archives/Library Science degree? – Earlier tonight a friend passed a question on to me from Aardvark in which the person asks, “What can you do with an MLIS other than become a traditional librarian or archivist?”
Ten Practical Tips for New Library Students – Here is a list of ten tips I’d like to have had when I began library school. I hope you find some of them useful. Please feel free to add others by using the comment function.
What MLIS Grad Schools Need to Tell Prospective – and Current – Students Now – One has only to participate in a few LIS discussion lists or online groups, hang out at a professional conference or two, or read some of the many LIS blogs and their comments to realize that the library profession is in the midst of extensive and somewhat discouraging change.
Ten Tips for Building Your Career While You’re in Grad School – Grad school is not only an opportunity for you to develop your LIS skills and expertise, it’s also an opportunity for you to build a professional platform that will help launch you into a career that’s rewarding both personally and financially.
Library School To Do List from Andy Burkhardt
The Dos and Don’ts of Library School – from Lauren Dodd
Library Day in the Life Project – trying to decide what kind of librarian to be? Check out the average day or week of librarians.
What I want LIS students to know – good list from Jill Hurst-Wahl added 11/30/2010
Ten Things You Won’t Find On Your LIS Class Syllabus – a great list from Andy Woodworth added 11/30/2010

The Job Search

So, You Want To Be A Librarian/Archivist: The Job Hunt (Possibly Part I) – In the list of ridiculous things that I consider to be dehumanizing, job hunting is one of them.
So, You Want To Be A Librarian/Archivist: Job Hunt Part II: Do’s
So, You Want To Be A Librarian/Archivist: Job Hunt Part III: 75 and counting.
Tests for Hiring and Training – some sample hiring tests from Brian Herzog
Job Search Sabotage – A few weeks ago, I was going through one of my email accounts I haven’t checked in a while and came across a link on “job search sabotage”. The topic of the link originated from a spam email but it got me thinking about how those preparing for employment in libraries and the information profession can avoid job hunting pitfalls.
Things to do when you’re in library school…with an eye to when you get out.
Some Interview Tips from a Recent Grad –
on reading cover letters and resumes advice from Laura Crossett
Tips for library job applicants in a tight market – advice from Merideth Farkas
Tough Times: Thoughts on the Library Job Market from a Department Head Who Just Hired a Reference Librarian – from Rich Roche
Notes on Reading Resumes – tips from Brian Herzog
What Not to Do When Applying for Library Jobs – from the crew at In the Library with a Lead Pipe
cover letter madness– advice from Laura Crossett

General Professional Advice

Your Virtual Brand – Online presence for professional success
Finding Your Voice – Blogging for career advancement and networking
Dipping into the Stream -Building collegial ties on Twitter and FriendFeed
Career Q&a With the Library Career People – a whole blog of library related career Q&A
This Librarian’s Blog Name Says It All – getting support from the library community when it seems you’ll never get a job
So You Want To Be a Librarian – an excellent book by Lauren Presley

Skills

What programming should a library science student learn? – I received this email from one of the students in the Collection Development class I taught at Mizzou and thought in addition to giving my answer I’d open it up for the hive mind.
Why every Library Science student should learn programming – The title is meant to incite a bit of discussion. I myself am not entirely convinced that every library student should be required to take a semester long course in programming, but I also think there are several very good reasons for librarians to learn programming
Technology education and the “real world”
Core skills: Curiosity – Over the last month, as I contemplated our three open staff positions, and thought about all the December graduates from library programs, and then faced down finals week, I thought about what the core skills and competencies are for academic librarians. Do we know?
Staff Technology Competencies – another tool for evaluating staff technology competencies.
Technical Skills & the Librarian – What type of technical skills do you need to be a librarian? A tough question to answer. Specific skills will vary depending on type of library one works in, will vary by departments within a library, will also vary from library to library – and will most definitely change rapidly.
Skills for the 21st Century Librarian
21st Century Skills, Libraries and Librarians

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59 comments

branflakez · September 1, 2010 - 1:14 pm ·

RT @librarianbyday: So You Want to be a Librarian? A Guide For Those Considering an MLS, Current Students & Job Seekers https://librarianbyday.net/2010/09/so-you…

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BookGeekPatti · September 1, 2010 - 1:33 pm ·

RT @librarianbyday: So You Want to be a Librarian? A Guide For Those Considering an MLS, Current Students & Job Seekers https://librarianbyday.net/2010/09/so-you…

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JustinLibrarian · September 1, 2010 - 1:34 pm ·

RT @librarianbyday: So You Want to be a Librarian? A Guide For Those Considering an MLS, Current Students & Job Seekers https://librarianbyday.net/2010/09/so-you…

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dorevabelfiore · September 1, 2010 - 1:41 pm ·

RT @librarianbyday: So You Want to be a Librarian? A Guide For Those Considering an MLS, Current Students & Job Seekers https://librarianbyday.net/2010/09/so-you…

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StevenB · September 1, 2010 - 9:47 am ·

Thanks for compiling a helpful list that I’m sure will be of help to those considering the MLS, currently working towards it or having recently earning it. Here’s something you might want to add to the mix – probably under “professional advice” g- etting support from the library community when it seems you’ll never get a job”.
http://acrlog.org/2010/03/23/this-librarians-blog-name-says-it-all/

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1. Bobbi Newman · September 1, 2010 - 10:12 am ·
  
  Thanks for the suggestion Steven, I’ve included it!
  
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LaVieBoheme73 · September 1, 2010 - 1:51 pm ·

RT @librarianbyday: So You Want to be a Librarian? A Guide For Those Considering an MLS, Current Students & Job Seekers https://librarianbyday.net/2010/09/so-you…

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Andy Burkhardt · September 1, 2010 - 10:04 am ·

Great list of posts Bobbi. I recently posted this same topic. It would probably go in the first section, “The Degree.” It’s about what you should not miss when you’re in library school. http://andyburkhardt.com/2010/08/11/library-school-to-do-list/

Another good one was a Dos and Don’ts of library school from Lauren Dodd: http://laurendodd.com/2010/07/dos-and-donts-of-library-school/

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1. Bobbi Newman · September 1, 2010 - 10:13 am ·
  
  Two great posts! Thank you for pointing me towards them Andy, I’ve edited to add them both.
  
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2. Lauren Dodd · September 1, 2010 - 3:25 pm ·
  
  Thank you for the mention, Andy!
  
  Thanks, Bobbi, for such a great list of resources. I’m flattered to be included in them! Some of these posts have been extremely helpful in my job search, so now I’m off to read the ones I haven’t seen yet.
  
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adotnon · September 1, 2010 - 2:35 pm ·

RT @librarianbyday: So You Want to be a Librarian? A Guide For Those Considering an MLS, Current Students & Job Seekers https://librarianbyday.net/2010/09/so-you…

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wawoodworth · September 1, 2010 - 2:40 pm ·

RT @librarianbyday: So You Want to be a Librarian? A Guide For Those Considering an MLS, Current Students & Job Seekers https://librarianbyday.net/2010/09/so-you…

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ellnhank · September 1, 2010 - 3:12 pm ·

RT @librarianbyday: So You Want to be a Librarian? A Guide For Those Considering an MLS, Current Students & Job Seekers https://librarianbyday.net/2010/09/so-you…

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Elefi · September 1, 2010 - 4:03 pm ·

RT @librarianbyday: So You Want to be a Librarian? A Guide For Those Considering an MLS, Current Students & Job Seekers https://librarianbyday.net/2010/09/so-you…

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babeelibrarian · September 1, 2010 - 5:08 pm ·

RT @librarianbyday: So You Want to be a Librarian? A Guide For Those Considering an MLS, Current Students & Job Seekers https://librarianbyday.net/2010/09/so-you…

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barbekresla · September 1, 2010 - 5:12 pm ·

RT @librarianbyday: So You Want to be a Librarian? A Guide For Those Considering an MLS, Current Students & Job Seekers https://librarianbyday.net/2010/09/so-you…

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daveparkes · September 1, 2010 - 5:14 pm ·

RT @librarianbyday: So You Want to be a Librarian? A Guide For Those Considering an MLS, Current Students & Job Seekers https://librarianbyday.net/2010/09/so-you…

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silentbeep3000 · September 1, 2010 - 5:16 pm ·

RT @librarianbyday: So You Want to be a Librarian? A Guide For Those Considering an MLS, Current Students & Job Seekers https://librarianbyday.net/2010/09/so-you…

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Kristin · September 1, 2010 - 4:16 pm ·

For the sake of proper citation, the shesgotplans.net links are authored by Lisa Rabey.

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chriszilverberg · September 2, 2010 - 1:59 am ·

RT @librarianbyday: So You Want to be a Librarian? A Guide For Those Considering an MLS, Current Students & Job Seekers https://librarianbyday.net/2010/09/so-you…

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Laura C · September 2, 2010 - 1:16 am ·

Hi Bobbi! Excellent list you have compiled! I would like to add a blog post from my classmate Adelle about how to manage library school while working (since most of us were working while going to class). The link to her post is here: http://adellefrank.com/blog/how-to-survive-library-school. I also included a reply post on my blog elaborating on some of her points: http://risingwiththemoon.wordpress.com/2010/07/23/mlis-program-tips-from-a-classmate/.

Thank you very much for providing access to these resources.

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1. Bobbi Newman · September 5, 2010 - 2:04 pm ·
  
  Hi Laura! Thank you for the additional links!
  
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SheReads · September 2, 2010 - 1:02 pm ·

RT @librarianbyday: So You Want to be a Librarian? A Guide For Those Considering an MLS, Current Students & Job Seekers https://librarianbyday.net/2010/09/so-you…

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dizzymslizzy · September 2, 2010 - 3:05 pm ·

@librarianbyday This guide is SUPER helpful. You rock my little new MLS student socks off! Thanks!

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Micah Vandegrift · September 2, 2010 - 5:56 pm ·

Hi Bobbi. This is the list I have been looking for. I am mid-MLIS and am trying to find my way through the degree and into the field. I am working on a “Hacking the MLIS” sort of document (in the spirit of and totally ripping off Hacking The Academy), and wondered if it’d be alright if I included this post/list in my research. I plan/hope to publish it online in the same way that the Alt-Ac Profhacker folks did with the Academy doc. I think there are enough people writing about the degree that there should be some collaborative, accessible document that will outlast all our various blog posts. Interested?

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1. Bobbi Newman · September 5, 2010 - 2:05 pm ·
  
  Hi Micah
  You’re more than welcome to include this list!
  Best
  Bobbi
  
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links for 2010-09-03 « OU-Tulsa Library News · September 3, 2010 - 3:01 am ·

[…] So You Want to be a Librarian? A Guide For Those Considering an MLS, Current Students & Job Seek… A list of the best of the best advice for potential MLS students, current students and job seekers. (tags: LIS/KM) […]

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jenniferlagarde · September 5, 2010 - 6:29 pm ·

RT @librarianbyday: So You Want to be a Librarian? A Guide For Those Considering an MLS, Current Students & Job Seekers https://librarianbyday.net/2010/09/so-you…

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jmalphy · September 5, 2010 - 7:07 pm ·

RT @librarianbyday: So You Want to be a Librarian? A Guide For Those Considering an MLS, Current Students & Job Seekers https://librarianbyday.net/2010/09/so-you…

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Inspiring stuff to read, Take 2 | Information Wants To Be Free · September 7, 2010 - 6:51 am ·

[…] or are just thinking about becoming a librarian, you must check out Bobbi Newman’s post So You Want to be a Librarian? She has pulled together some of the best advice around the web on the profession and job searching […]

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So you want to be a librarian « Bibliographic Wilderness · September 7, 2010 - 9:49 am ·

[…] to Bobbi Newman for putting together a list of pretty good potential-future-librarian-advice blog entries. And to Meredith Farkas for linking to […]

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The MLIS vs. the MLS « The Infornado · September 7, 2010 - 11:56 am ·

[…] inspired in part by Kim Leeder’s article on the “real work” of librarianship and Bobbi Newman’s amazing list of links for a potential/job seeking library school […]

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JeffieLibrarian · September 8, 2010 - 2:02 am ·

RT @librarianbyday: So You Want to be a Librarian? A Guide For Those Considering an MLS, Current Students & Job Seekers https://librarianbyday.net/2010/09/so-you…

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i n f o d o n » September 8th · September 8, 2010 - 8:27 pm ·

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ntromano · September 9, 2010 - 4:01 am ·

RT @librarianbyday: So You Want to be a Librarian? A Guide For Those Considering an MLS, Current Students & Job Seekers https://librarianbyday.net/2010/09/so-you…

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Lauren Pressley · September 9, 2010 - 8:53 am ·

Hey Bobbi, great list! Thanks for pulling it all together! For what it’s worth, I wrote a book with the very same title: So You Want To Be A Librarian. It gives a general overview of the field, different positions, and grad school.

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Inspiring stuff to read, Take 2, From Meredith Farkas « Phx Friends of UA SIRLS · September 9, 2010 - 4:28 pm ·

[…] student, or are just thinking about becoming a librarian, you must check out Bobbi Newman’s post So You Want to be a Librarian? She has pulled together some of the best advice around the web on the profession and job searching […]

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Looking for a library job? Hang in there! « Library Scenester · September 20, 2010 - 8:50 am ·

[…] Bobbi Newman has put together an amazing collection of resources on becoming a librarian […]

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For Soon-to-be Librarians with Little Professional Involvement and Networking – Library Hat · September 22, 2010 - 12:39 am ·

[…] Not only current MLS students and recent graduates expressed frustration and anxiety about a long job search process during the depression period but also many experienced librarians shared thier own experience, advice, and wisdom. A few new librarians also contributed to the discussion by adding thier own comments and thoughts. (See the recent post in Library Scenester and four other posts: Kiyomi Deards’ phone interview advice, Julie Strange’s 10 tips for landing an interview, Patrick Sweeney’s 5 tips for successful librarian interviews, and Bobbi Newman’s resources on becoming a librarian) […]

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Bayan · September 28, 2010 - 9:42 am ·

Dear Bobbi

I’m a high school student, currently living outside the States, but I’m extremely interested in becoming a librarian, and the more I read about it the more I like the sound of the job. However, I’m really worried about the fact that I’m a practising Muslim girl, wearing a hijab (headscarf). I read somewhere that as a library student you should try to stand out and this will be easy, but do you think that this will stop people employing me?

Please reply,

Bayan

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1. Julia · April 25, 2013 - 9:59 pm ·
  
  Dear Bayan,
  
  It sounds like a difficult question to reply because of the little available. Are there women wearing hijab working at libraries and other institutions where you live? If so, you should ask them. Or are you planning to move to the US and your question was related to the job market there? If it’s the second, again, it’s a difficult question – many organization have as a policy to hire people from minorities, but I wouldn’t guarantee anything.
  
  It seems to me that you may want to continue your research by asking people you know, but then again, it’s just my idea.
  
  Best,
  Julia
  
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So You Want To Be A Librarian » Some Recent Links! · November 8, 2010 - 5:28 pm ·

[…] Newman’s So You Want To Be A Librarian: This post pulls together nearly every piece of web content on exactly this topic! Some good […]

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Pink and Libraries | Random Thoughts · February 14, 2011 - 1:59 am ·

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[…] her blog, coupled with writings from other people around the web on the same topic wrapped up as a one stop guide for all things MLIS related. The link love is awesome, don’t get me wrong, I got a lot of commentary and emails from […]

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Kassy · March 5, 2012 - 10:24 pm ·

do the 36 credit hours needed to get a masters in library and information science include the basic courses like college algebra and such? or do I not have to take those because I’ll be going into a graduate program?
(highschool junior)

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1. Bobbi Newman · March 6, 2012 - 9:36 am ·
  
  Courses like algebra would be part of your undergraduate degree. What you need to take will depend on the major you choose.
  
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jomichele · March 8, 2012 - 12:54 pm ·

It looks like there was some great information links on this page at one time, but I tried 4 links, starting at the top and they are all broken.

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[…] about how to present yourself as an information professional […]

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Snapshot 7.11.12 | Little Big · October 18, 2013 - 11:34 am ·

[…] a librarian is to read librarian blogs and follow librarians on twitter. Most importantly, however, read this series. It can provide more information, tips, and advice than I ever […]

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A Blog With An Identity Crisis | Exit, Pursued By A Bear · November 26, 2013 - 6:47 pm ·

[…] her blog, coupled with writings from other people around the web on the same topic wrapped up as a one stop guide for all things MLIS related. The link love is awesome, don’t get me wrong, I got a lot of commentary and emails from […]

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“The Graph” & What To Do About Rising LIS Graduation Rates « Elizabeth Lieutenant · December 22, 2013 - 12:41 pm ·

[…] library school. Don’t know where to start? Read every article in Bobbi Newman‘s “So You Want to be a Librarian?” post. Then, head over to Hack Library School‘s blog and get lost in their archives. […]

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Job For Librarian | New Job Today · November 8, 2014 - 10:32 am ·

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“So You Want to be a Librarian?” | Spark Plug Librarian · November 10, 2014 - 9:59 pm ·

[…] on! However, for anyone that’s curious about the ins and outs of getting your MLS/MLIS then Bobbi Newman’s blog has got some create tips and […]

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Erin · April 17, 2015 - 12:04 pm ·

Hey, just so you know. All your links on this page go to a japanese site.

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Rebecca · August 18, 2015 - 7:06 pm ·

Why are the links not working? every single one takes me to a page in japanese about cellulite?

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