Q: What are my future career options?

Q: What are my future career options?

by Tiffany ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Q: [Question edited for length] I am a displaced worker [living in a major US city] who has work experience in both graphic design and records management. I also have an English degree. I think I am pretty good at doing research and locating information, although I have never spent any time on specialized databases like Factiva and LexisNexis, etc. I have just begun the certificate program of Library and Information Technology at my local community college, and am hoping to have some exposure and/or further develop my research and information retrieval skills through these classes. My questions concern future employment issues. Am I strictly limited to corporate libraries and/or any positions involving research? Are there any good web sites/links that might point me in the right direction?

TA: Your initiative in taking classes at your community college to re-tool yourself for new career opportunities is to be commended. And I especially like that you are interested in applying both your diverse work experience and your interests in research to a career in library and information technology. Your questions are good ones: What do I do with this certificate? What are my career options? And where can I find more information?

Most professional librarian positions require an advanced degree, usually the MLS. However, the community college certificate program may land you an advanced support staff position and will certainly be an excellent introduction into the field of librarianship and library-related technologies. One of my local community colleges has a Library and Information Technology certificate program and their website states:

If you enjoy working in a library setting and have an interest in technology, you should consider enrolling in the Library and Information Technology (LIT) program. Students in this program tend to be detail oriented. They enjoy assisting others and utilizing computer technology. The LIT program is suitable for persons seeking entry-level employment in either public or private libraries. The curriculum is also ideal for current paraprofessional and professional library employees who seek specialized training in new technologies… Graduates are employed in libraries, media areas, learning resources, information and instructional materials centers and with other organizations engaged in library-related activities. They are prepared for jobs with any organization that use technology to process, manage, and communicate information [http://www.cccc.edu/curriculum/majors/library/].

So essentially, the certificate will introduce you to library and information technologies, vocabularies and cultures, and will prepare you for a job working with data and managing information (which is broadly applicable in workplaces these days). Also, I would suggest that your diverse work experience, coupled with demonstrated initiative and the educational credentials, make you more marketable in a competitive workforce.To learn more about library support staff positions, I would explore the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-2009 edition, which is available online: [http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos113.htm]. The Handbook provides information on training qualifications, earnings, work environment, and related occupations, as well as many other topics that may be of interest to you as you pursue your certificate.

Two Questions on Getting Experience Through Internships and Volunteering

Two Questions on Getting Experience Through Internships and Volunteering

by Susanne Markgren ♥ 1 Comment

Q1: I am currently working as an assistant professor and have a doctorate in design that I earned approximately six years ago. I have been teaching and publishing research since then, but I am considering a career change to academic librarianship with future work in an MLIS program. This is partially due to the geographic locations of positions in my current field and a desire for more engagement with peers on a day to day basis.

My question is related to job seeking.  I am wondering if internships in the summer months would suffice as experience, or if I am setting myself up for a difficult job hunting situation without any experience in a library proper. Any advice on my particular situation would be much appreciated.

SM: Internships do count as experience. If you can find one, or create one, do it.

An internship is a great way to start off your career change, without a major commitment or stress from job hunting and interviewing. It is also an excellent way to network with people in the profession, discover the ins and outs of working in libraries, find mentors, and possibly even secure a job down the road.

Internships can be very valuable and rewarding, and may even provide you with more relevant experience than a library job would provide. It will help if you know what kind of experience you need – this could be very specific or quite broad (especially if you’ve never worked in libraries).

You may find that you need to structure your own internship and approach librarians and library directors with your plan.  And by plan, I mean write up something specific that  includes the number of hours you can work, the days of the week you are available, and include some flexibility. If you have an ideal library in mind, or know of someone who holds your dream job, see if that library or person would consider offering you an internship. Many libraries will offer them on a case by case basis, even though they might not advertise them. From my experience, libraries that offer internships are looking for motivated people who can work on specific projects. Internships work best when the tasks are focused (on one or two things) and the intern has (at least some) control over his or her role and pace of learning.

Talk to someone in career services for your local MLS program. They should be able to help you locate existing internships and provide you with guidance in structuring internships in order to get the most out of them. Since you work in academia, and you’ve no doubt spent a lot of time in academic libraries, you probably have an idea of what you would like to do and what kind of librarian role you would like to pursue. Use your subject expertise, your knowledge of academic institutions, and your contacts in academia to explore your options and learn more about your local library and see if they can help you gain the experience you need.

Another option to consider, if you are unable to do (or find) an internship, is to volunteer. The same advice applies to volunteering as to interning. Some places will offer internships only to current students, so find out about volunteer opportunities as well.

Take charge of your own career path and go out there and get the skills and experience you need.  There is no right way to do so, and each person’s path is different. Good luck!


Further Reading:

“Internships are the Appetizers of the Library World So Nibble, Nibble, Nibble…”
by Melissa Aho, Marcia Franklin, Susan Wakefield, and Sara Wakefield
Library Journal, 6/6/2006

Q2: I have my MLS and have worked in the library field for many years. First in special libraries and later in school libraries. When my son finished high school I started work at a local real estate company. A part time position soon turned into full time employment and while I was not entirely happy with the job it did offer some stability. I stuck with it for nearly five years, but when I was laid off in January I began to search for library positions. In this economy there just isn’t much out there at all and I really feel that I need to update my skills.

Recently I have given thought to asking a public librarian for an internship (I have a professional relationship with this woman. I am a chair on a small library friends group). I don’t necessarily want to work in a public library, but exposure to new ideas and roles can’t hurt. What do you suggest? How would you evaluate skills? I do know that I don’t want to be a cataloger — I can’t bear the thought of sitting behind a computer screen all day… any ideas?

TA: There are three suggestions that quickly come to mind:

  1. Prepare a resume and keep it current.
    Include all of your experience, library and real estate. Be sure to draw direct parallels between all of your work experience and the work of your local public library. Real estate work can translate into customer service, familiarity with the local community, etc. Also, be sure to include your service as chair of the friends group — this shows a continued interest in the field, leadership and commitment. Talk about goals as well as achievements.
  2. Approach your public librarian contact and ask to volunteer.
    Be sure to give her your resume, explain that you want to get back into libraries and are looking to update your skills. Explain that you have years of experience to offer, as well as recent research and customer service skills from your experience working in real estate, and leadership experience and ties to this library from your volunteer experience in the friends group.
  3. Don’t limit yourself.
    Statements like “I don’t want to be a cataloger and I can’t bear the thought of sitting behind a computer screen all day” can come across as a little dramatic and demanding when you’re in the asking position. It’s good to know, long term, what you want to do and what you don’t want to do, but when you’re getting started (or re-started), experience is experience. Just because you spend some time cataloging, doesn’t mean it’s a wasted experience. As a matter of fact, a broad-based volunteer experience will help you update your skills across the board, as well as develop a broad support network of librarians.

You may also want to check out our other posts on cover letters, resumes, and transferrable skills:

Q: How do I get back into the workforce after an illness, and being a stay-at-home parent?

Q: I’d like to learn as much as possible about the whole archival process and hopefully move into the archival profession. Is it possible for me to have a career as an archivist despite not having setting out to become one?

Q: Am I overqualified for library positions?

Q: How can I switch from public to corporate librarianship?

Q: How can I find information about making the move from a community college to a four-year college or university?

Q: How do I make my resume work for me?<!–

Q: How does one go about beginning to repair a work history, or “fill in a gap” nearly a decade-wide?

Q: How does one go about beginning to repair a work history, or “fill in a gap” nearly a decade-wide?

by Tiffany ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Q: After working in city libraries for more than ten years (and before that, a work life spent mostly in book stores) I found myself in [moving back home] because of my mother’s advanced age and fragile health. I had three years of Interlibrary Loan experience from my most recent job and I was able to secure a position in the Interlibrary Loan department of the health sciences library at the university.

My work record at the time was excellent and I was very happy to find the job I’d wanted the most. It was a very busy department and I was responsible for lending. I approached my job with energy and enthusiasm and worked hard; I even kept current with “the literature” (Library Journal, etc.) but my boss never stopped casting everything I did in a negative light.

I managed to maintain decent performance reviews by scrupulously documenting everything I did; but in the end, I saw an EAP counselor who helped me to plan and set up meetings with the director, my boss, and other concerned parties to try to bring about a more equitable workplace (as this was affecting my health). After almost nine years at this university, my supervisor wrote an entirely false performance review which despite my response (written at the director’s urging) with documentation to refute her assertions, I resigned after being placed on a disciplinary program that no one in that library’s history had been put on before and the full details of which were not written down anywhere.

No investigation was done. I hired a lawyer and the university’s response to his letter was “the worst thing he’d seen in thirty years”. No reference, severance, or unemployment insurance benefits. I looked for a job for 8 months; customized my resume and cover letter for each position I applied for. Not only was I not contacted, other positions included; when I attempted to contact the HR person, no one called me back.

Since my resignation, the university I worked for has been beset by scandals; ranging from mismanagement of large grants to the dismissal of a student without due process. How does one go about beginning to repair a work history, or “fill in a gap” nearly a decade-wide, that was spent doing excellent work (our borrowing institutions regularly sent notes of praise and, of course, the work was reflected in our statistics!) but is entangled in an institutionally- sanctioned lie?

TA: After reading your question a couple of times, there are a couple of things that come to my attention that I think would be helpful to point out in an attempt to move ahead. First, it’s clear you feel very hurt and betrayed by the situation with your supervisor. It wouldn’t be unusual for someone in the situation you’ve described to feel this way. However, and this is the second thing I noticed, you also seem to express yourself in a way that hints at feelings of resentment, maybe even hostility. Talking about how your lawyer thought the University’s response was “the worst thing he’d seen in thirty years”, but not talking about any successful litigation feels like a worthless jab. The same goes for your reference to “an institutionally-sanctioned lie.”

As an outsider looking in, and with only the information you’ve provided to me, here’s the situation as it seems to me: you worked for many years at an institution with a challenging supervisor and in challenging work conditions. By your own accounts, you had some successes in the position, but when it got to be too severe, you resigned from your position. Now you’re looking for a new position and you aren’t getting many responses. What do you do now?

First, you need to figure out a way to talk about your experience at the University that does not criticize or come across as negative. When you’re describing your work experience in your cover letter and resume, talk about your successes. Mention your increased, and sustained, usage statistics. Talk about successful partnerships and collaboration within the library and beyond. Do not talk about how you managed to survive despite the oppressive supervisor, or the challenging circumstances, or a University “beset by scandals.” That’s really just too much drama for anyone, especially a prospective employer. You may also want to ask a couple of colleagues for written letters of reference that you can attach to your application materials. If you take this approach, make sure they are current letters, and the colleagues speak to your professional experiences and talents. Do not turn these letters into you-versus-them detailed sagas of your University experience. The letters should describe how the colleague knows you, in what context and for how long, as well as his or her description of your work experience, knowledge and strengths.

Second, choose your references carefully. With such a long tenure at the University, it might seem conspicuous to not have a reference from that institution. However, given your relationship with your supervisor and director, you probably don’t want to list them as professional references. You should think carefully about other colleagues, maybe even folks with whom you worked at the University but they too have moved on, and consider if they could serve as a reference for you. And of course, colleagues, supervisors, department heads, directors, etc… from other institutions of employment would be good to include as well.

Third, when you get an interview, be prepared to talk about all of your work experience, including your time at the University. Again, leave out the drama and negativity and find a way to talk in a positive way about what you learned and what you gained from the experience. If you’re asked a reason for leaving, since you resigned, you can simply say that you had been at the University for a number of years, but were also dealing with an aging parent and needed to resign for personal reasons.

Just because the University is still struggling with some issues doesn’t mean you need to be swept up with it. Your focus needs to be on you and your future, not anchored to the past and a very difficult situation.

Q: I’d like to learn as much as possible about the whole archival process and hopefully move into the archival profession. Is it possible for me to have a career as an archivist despite not having setting out to become one?

Q: I’d like to learn as much as possible about the whole archival process and hopefully move into the archival profession. Is it possible for me to have a career as an archivist despite not having setting out to become one?

by Tiffany ♥ 1 Comment

Q: Hi, I recently got my MSLS without taking any archival classes and now I am regretting that decision. Currently I am volunteering at a public library, working with a photo collection that was donated by a newspaper photographer and I find the process fascinating. In fact so much, I’d like to learn as much as possible about the whole archival process and hopefully move into the archival profession. I recently joined the Society of American Archivists and lurk on their main listserv, although I realize that is not enough.

Can you suggest other ways for me to get experience? There does not appear to be many online opportunities for archival education (either formal or non-formal) but I may not be looking in the right places. Also, is it possible for me to have a career as an archivist despite not having setting out to become one?

TA: There are a number of approaches to graduate school. Some students use the time to explore different areas of the profession so they can focus on their true calling when it comes time to find a job. Others go into the beginning of their academic training knowing exactly what they want to do and use the time to build experience and expertise in support of that original goal. I don’t think you’re alone in discovering a particular interest after you’ve completed your degree, but it does put you in a bit of a “catch up” situation. Here are a few quick ideas on how to level the playing field and switch to the archival profession:

First, think about what you did in library school that may relate to the archival profession. For example, did you take a cataloging or technology class that included EAD or XML? Look for these transferable skills and highlight them when you’re applying for archival positions.

The experience you’re gaining now as a volunteer with the photo collection should also be recognized as valuable and transferable. See if you can find other opportunities (paid or unpaid) that allow you to learn more about working in an archive and to develop specific, related experience and expertise with different types of materials.

Third, you should explore additional educational or professional development opportunities. Some institutions offer a Certificate of Advanced Study as a post-MLS educational certificate. The Graduate School of Library and Information Science at the University of Illinois describes their Certificate as a program that allows holders of the MLS “to refresh and update their skills, gain greater specialization in their professional training, or redirect their careers from one area to another.” If you are not quite prepared to head back to school for another degree, you could also consider more focused short term training opportunities related to the archival profession.  The Society of American Archivists posts a Conference/Workshop Calendar on their website that lists current classroom and online training opportunities. You should check there (and in other local organizations) to see if there are classes that could help you build and enhance the basic archival skill set. Plus, all of these training opportunities look great on a resume.

And finally, I would recommend that you reach out and find a mentor, or someone you can connect with, to talk about working in an archive. Many professional organizations will facilitate a match for a mentor/mentee relationship. You can also attend professional development or professional networking events to meet a more experienced colleague who may be able to assist you with navigating the archival profession.

Good luck as you pursue your interest in archives!

______________________________________________________________________

SM: According to The Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition,

Archivists maintain records in accordance with accepted standards and practices that ensure the long-term preservation and easy retrieval of the documents.

Seeking a specialization, such as archives, is a great way to further your career and make you more marketable. Of course, acquiring the skills, knowledge and experience in that specialty is another story – but it sounds like you are on the right track. The SAA web site, as Tiffany mentioned, is a great source for information about archival work and becoming an archivist. They also post job listings, links to local organizations, an overview of the profession, and a very useful glossary of archival and records terminology. You should also check out the Academy of Certified Archivists site for information of how to become certified, and The National Archives Information for Archives Professionals page.

Archivists, as I’m sure you’re aware, work in all types of organizations and with a wide variety of materials. When pursuing archives experience, broaden your search to include museums, historical or governmental institutions, corporations, zoos, and nature centers (to name a few), as well as libraries. These places all maintain archives and may need assistance (paid or unpaid) in their archives. Archivists work with specific standards and rules, which are applicable across institutions, so even if you really want to work in an academic library down the road, focus your immediate attention on getting any experience you can, in any type of institution.

Online certificate programs:

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee offers a Certificate of Advanced Study in Archives and Records Administration which can be completed online.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers a Certificate of Advanced Study in Library and Information Science, which is offered through their LEEP program.

If anyone knows of any other online programs, please let us know.

Q: I want to move into a technical services role, but I’m intimidated by the job postings. How can I become qualified for a systems or cataloging position?

Q: I want to move into a technical services role, but I’m intimidated by the job postings. How can I become qualified for a systems or cataloging position?

by Susanne Markgren ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Q: I have been a librarian “on the front lines” for 6 years and I want to switch to technical services. I have taken web (XHTML, CSS) and beginning programming (JAVA, C++) courses and I am currently taking a cataloging course. When time permits, I volunteer in technical services at two area libraries. However, when I peruse job postings for catalogers, systems librarians, etc., I get overwhelmed by all the qualifications listed and feel I will never be truly qualified for any of these positions. Any advice to help in pursuing this library career change would be greatly appreciated.


A: Great question! This dilemma affects many librarians who desire to make a role change and are lacking in relevant experience. I moved from a reference role into a systems role (at a past job) because I became frustrated with the ILS (integrated library system), and wanted to update its look and functionality. The person who was in that role had shifted her attention to something else, and was actually happy to let me take over. I was working in a small, specialized, academic library at the time and I was able to acquire on-the-job experience over time.

First, decide on which area you want to focus on, cataloging or systems. Although both are in technical services, they are quite different. The primary role of a systems person is maintaining the ILS and troubleshooting technical problems, for several different systems. The primary role of a cataloger is cataloging, using one or two different systems and managing bibliographic access to materials. Each role will require a different set of skills and experience. The systems person will need to understand some cataloging in order to make sure the system is running smoothly and doing everything it can do for the cataloger. Since I am speaking from personal experience, I will talk mainly about systems, but similar information can be applied to cataloging positions.

To be qualified for a systems librarian position, you need experience. This is why you don’t see postings for entry-level systems librarians. I have seen the job postings that you mention and I always wonder if the employers are getting any applicants who have all of the requirements…. doubtful. I also know of several libraries who have hired non-librarians for their systems roles, probably because they could not find MLS holders with the specific computer programming experience they desired.

Second, the role of the systems librarian can vary greatly by size of institution. So think about where you would like to be.

Larger institutions (university libraries, public library systems, large corporations, etc.) will most likely need more people with very specific skills and expertise, because they have more systems to manage and more people to serve. They expect a systems person to be able to develop something unique for their user population and/or environment, if they cannot find it commercially. Larger institutions usually have several people, with differing skills, working in a systems department where they typically focus on the ILS and other systems that work with the ILS. Jobs in larger institutions may offer a better opportunity for specialization, experimentation and training.

Smaller institutions will most likely need fewer people with diverse skills.  Small libraries are often largely dependent on commercial systems, which offer both hosting and service, so the systems librarian (who is usually on his or her own) may not need to know any programming languages or be required to develop anything new for the user population. This is good, because many systems librarians are also expected to do reference, collection development and instruction. Systems people who work in smaller institutions often find themselves in charge of everything digital and computer-related including the web site, course management systems, software and hardware, and electronic resources. Jobs in smaller institutions will offer lots of variety.

Third, don’t despair just yet. You will get the experience you need, but it might take time. Clearly you are motivated, so keep doing what you’re doing: volunteering and taking classes, if you can. Specific web and programming skills will definitely boost your qualifications. Start small and local — use your current job to get experience now. Talk to your supervisor and let her or him know that you are interested in doing more technical services tasks. Are there people you can learn from in your current job, people who can mentor you and teach you about specific systems? Knowledge of an ILS is usually a requirement for systems (and cataloging) positions. See what you can learn about the one in your current library and the one where you volunteer.

And finally, look closely at the requirements and the preferred skills for the job at hand. If you have all the requirements, then by all means apply. Don’t let the preferred list (which can be quite long) discourage or deter you. Best of luck!

Extra Info:

Hiring a systems librarian
By Dorothea Salo

The Accidental Systems Librarian
By Rachel Singer Gordon

Systems Librarian Jobs & Careers from SimplyHired

Cataloging Jobs & Careers from SimplyHired

The Whimsy of Cataloging
By Richard A. Murray

Cataloging Futures

How do I get there from here? Changing jobs, changing roles, changing institutions
By Susanne Markgren and Tiffany Allen

Q: How do we define goals in the digital/virtual libraries?

Q: How do we define goals in the digital/virtual libraries?

by Tiffany ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Q:  How do we define goals in the digital/virtual libraries?  How have professions changed?   What are the goals to be  accomplished?   How do we define ourselves as professionals? Please give me some directions of where the careers are going?

 

A:  Well, this is quite a huge question, and I’m sure we won’t address everything in this response.  But let’s give it a try…

 

TA: First, I believe we, as a profession, define our goals in a digital library the same way we define them in a traditional library setting.  I find the following, from Wikipedia, especially relevant as we consider the definition of libraries and their goals: “modern libraries are increasingly being redefined as places to get unrestricted access to information in many formats and from many sources. In addition to providing materials, they also provide the services of specialists, librarians, who are experts at finding and organizing information and at interpreting information needs.”  So, basically, our goals continue to be finding, arranging, and providing access (both in the short and long term) to information.  I think the significant differences are that (1) types of information are changing, i.e. from paper to electronic; (2) information sources are changing; and (3) information tools are changing, and continue to evolve as quickly as we learn them.  And on top of all of this, the expectations of our users are changing.

 

So, as library professionals, what does this mean for us?  First, I think we need to see professionals with an attitude of openness, flexibility and an ability to continue to learn and grow.  With technology changing so rapidly, we need employees who not only have the skills needed today, but also the ability to test, evaluate and learn the technologies of tomorrow.  Second, professionals will need a solid foundation and academic training in the aspects of librarianship.   Cataloging may not be called cataloging anymore, and reference may be called public service and instruction, but we’re still talking about the core curriculum in most of the major library schools.  And finally, and perhaps most importantly, we need professionals who remain committed to the fundamental values of librarianship: free and open access to information, regardless of format, location or method of access.

 

My final suggestion would be take a look at various vacancy announcements to see what employers are looking for in new employees.  Preferably you can do this while you are still in school so you can then shape your coursework and work experience to meet these identified needs.

 

 

SM: I think the most challenging part of our profession in the digital age is remaining relevant to our users. I agree with Tiffany, that the fundamentals of librarianship (collecting, preserving, organizing, providing access to information) have not changed —  just everything else, including our users. They expect, and demand, that libraries provide certain resources, certain technologies, and certain services. We need to do everything possible to meet those needs, or they will go elsewhere. As our users get more technologically advanced, and as information-seeking tools get easier to use and more universally accessible, it will be more and more difficult for libraries to maintain their relevance in society, and in academia. In this light, I think we should be reevaluating our goals on a regular basis.

 

Although our libraries and our roles have been in a state of rapid change in the last decade or so, we are still librarians and can still define ourselves the same way our predecessors did in generations past. We just need to work hard to fit that definition into the current day and combine it with excellent customer service.

 

Professional goals that all librarians should be considering might include:

  • Staying current with new technologies and experimenting with new tools
  • Reaching out to patrons in new ways
  • Redefining roles in order to better suit the needs of the patrons and the skills of the librarians
  • Marketing the library, its services and resources
  • Collaborating with colleagues, other libraries, consortia, to provide better services and more resources across different departments or different libraries (joint licensing, ILL and document delivery, reciprocal borrowing, collaborative instruction, etc.)
  • Learning from each other
Q: What does it take to be a music librarian?

Q: What does it take to be a music librarian?

by Susanne Markgren ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Q: I am a musician and a lawyer and I am looking to change careers.  What does it take to be a music librarian?

The first thing to do is to visit the Music Library Association’s (MLA) web site. They state that:

A music librarian is a librarian qualified to specialize in music. A broad musical background is essential, for music of any style, medium, or era can find a place in a library. Aptitude and training in both music and librarianship are necessary.

The MLA’s site offers great resources and services for those interested in music librarianship, including: workshops, resume review services, job postings, and a directory of library school offerings in music librarianship.

So, to sum up, in order to become a music librarian, you need two essential things:

  • a background in music (which can vary in degree depending on role and environment)
  • a masters degree in library science (MLS or equivalent)

You can also visit the American Library Association’s site for more information on accredited library schools, career paths, job listings, scholarships, and professional development.

Do your research before jumping into a new career. You will want to think about what type of library you would like to work in, and what clientele you would like to work with. Music librarians work in all different kinds of libraries: academic, research, public, and specialized (corporate, organization, etc.).  Each position will have different requirements and different duties. Seek out job ads for music librarians and find out what is required for different positions and different types of libraries.

Finally, visit music libraries, get in touch with music librarians, and if possible, volunteer or do an internship. Any hands-on experience you can get now will help you tremendously in the job search process down the road.

Best of luck!

Additional Resources:

To Be a Music Librarian by Paula Elliot

Notes: Quarterly Journal of the Music Library Association (abstracts and TOCs for nonsubscribers)

Music Librarian Jobs

Job Openings – MLA Site