Comments on: A Library School By Any Other Name

By: Tanya Feddern-Bekcan

Tanya Feddern-Bekcan — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:38:34 +0000

One of the reasons I chose University of South Florida over Florida State University is because they kept “Library” in the degree title (Library and Information Science).

By: Darren E.

Darren E. — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 11:16:44 +0000

The library school at UNT recently merged with the education school to create the College of Information, Library Science, and Technologies. When I received my degree in 2003 from the SLIS at UNT, it was a Master of Science. This reflects the technical nature of the UNT program. Further, there is no mention of library science on the diploma. Sadly, no matter the letters on the diploma, the pay of librarians lags terribly behind other graduate level professional jobs. I can understand the frustration expressed here.

By: Darren E.

Darren E. — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 11:16:44 +0000

By: Toronto student

Toronto student — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 15:54:02 +0000

My Master’s degree cost $15,000 over two years and I’m starting to wonder about it. Sure, I had no prospects with my humanities background (BA and MA in history – come on!). I’m thinking that it was a waste. I’m still looking for work in the field – I’ll be graduating in a few months.

My program is getting reviewed by the Ontario Council of Graduate Studies soon and I think I shall be rather critical. From what I can see, almost all science/engineering *undergraduate* programs are harder, teach more etc.

I’m now thinking to get into the computer science side of things. Assuming I can rebuild my shattered morale after reading this blog – I hadn’t read it for months and months and thus felt relatively happy about my program and profession. So much for that.

By: mh

mh — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 13:23:26 +0000

Yeh, all the good library schools are in the Midwest.

By: Employed MLIS Grad

Employed MLIS Grad — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 10:46:22 +0000

My MLIS program emphasized how HARD it was – be prepared to work hard, this will be much harder than your undergrad, etc, etc. My undergrad is in engineering from the #2 school in the country – could it really be harder than that? Um, no.

I had to take a class on Microsoft Office – a grad level class on how to use software programs. How quaint!

I graduated this December with a 4.0 and now have a full-time job. Of course, it has nothing to do with my earning an MLIS – I was hired because I have a BSE (that’s bachlors of science in engineering). At least I have a job…

By: Former Rutgers MLIS Student

Former Rutgers MLIS Student — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 20:49:56 +0000

Seriously, it doesn’t matter. The Rutgers program will suck no matter what they call it. My undergraduate degree was ten times more challenging than my MLIS at Rutgers. While I found some of the faculty to be helpful and insightful, many of the students they accepted into the program were far below my expectations.

By: Kat

Kat — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 10:54:54 +0000

For what it’s worth, VSU’s program is called Masters of Library and Information Science. It does not completely leave out “library” as the AL stated.

By: Dr. Pepper

Dr. Pepper — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 07:24:45 +0000

I’ve been working for a library for five years now. I don’t have an MLIS, but through my undergrad and grad degrees (management/IT and education), and by working in the library (circulation, interlibrary-loan, systems and reference) I know the culture, I know the job pretty well. There *are* interesting classes in major library schools, but they all require me to do the grunt work which I have covered either through working at a library, or through my previous education (undergrad and grad). By the time you are done wasting your time and money with grunt classes, you have 2 electives. This time and money investment is not worth it for me.

By: workerb

workerb — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 09:47:42 +0000

As a Library assistant, I can’t see much benefit of the masters degree. Sorry to anyone who spent the 30k. I do exactly the same things as the Librarians at the public library where I work, except manage people (yuck) and churn out the weekly schedule. I love where I work, but its mostly customer service, some basic computer knowledge and the ability to alphabetize and/or count. I’ve done a good deal of programming too. But most of those ideas came from my experience working with kids.

Considering most library systems around the county are being downsized,branches being closed etc.my own included(even our public schools aren’t required to staff the *media center* with a *media Specialist*)would anyone really recommend getting a MLS,MLIS, etc? When I got my current position as a LA I thought for sure I would go for my masters while working at my current part time position. Now, it doesn’t seem worth it. Thoughts?