Hot topics for both consumers and webmarketers on WebmasterRadio.FM
Every Wednesday, 5PM Eastern.
Library Science Degrees Tips
Job Opportunities With Library Science Degrees
Working in a library may be an obvious choice with a library science degree, but there are multiple choices of libraries in which you can work.
(1) School librarian includes interacting with students from pre-K to high school senior. Choices of books may be restricted by the school districts policies while dealing with intellectual freedom. Developing a cooperative curriculum and relationship with teachers can be challenging.
(2) Academic librarians work at a university/college level. A master's degree in library sciences can be required and you may be considered faculty, which places you on the same level as many professors. Issues include copyright problems, academic freedom, and open access to scholarly works.
(3) Special librarians work in areas such as medical, law, corporations, news agencies and special collections.
(4) You can work as an archivist librarian, helping archive old documents for historical purposes.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Why Choose Library Science?
Library Sciences are just what the degree indicates: the study of how a library is run, cataloged, studied, and interacts with those who use the facilities. Before thinking spending your time in a library isn't sounding all that exciting, understand other opportunities for a librarian are acquisition, cataloging, classification, and preservation of library materials. Working in a library, either public or private, can offer you a wealth of research options and information not generally shared with the general public.
Large universities ask those who work for their libraries to find rare books, artifacts, and papers for the school to display among their books (acquisition). Although, it may not be as exciting as Rachel Weitz character in "The Mummy" or Indiana Jones on his latest crusade, being part of an acquisition team can be a rewarding experience.
Before deciding Library Science isn't the route you want to go, check out the American Library Association website and see where a career in library sciences can take you.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Time Commitments
An online bachelor's in education takes approximately two years, and a master's degree in library science takes anywhere from one to three years. The time commitment is obviously significant but if a combination of education and library sciences is in your career goals, be sure to plan out your route with your education counselor. Ask if it's better to earn one degree at a time and take all your pre-requisites for both degrees while working on the bachelors to save time later.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Why Choose Library Science?
eLearners Tip: Library and resource management are essential elements when studying for a degree in library sciences. Make sure the institution you plan to attend offers you the essential classes to cover these important subjects. If you want an education and a library science degree, understand they can work together well but the time can be double. Specialty classes for each will not apply to the other. Volunteering in each field may better help you decide where your strengths and weaknesses lay and where your best assets will find a voice.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Time Commitment For A Library Science Degree
If you are thinking of a Library Science Degree, you will most likely have to earn a masters degree before being considered for employment. Most institutions want librarians with masters degrees but check where you want to work and find out what they require. Usually, the specific course work is 36 to 72 hours (1 1/2 to 3 years) after the general pre-requisites. Make sure the school you are attending is accredited by the American Library Association (ALA.org) before enrolling. Otherwise, employers won't find you employable.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Library Sciences Degree vs. Education Degree
The general pre-requisites for earning a library sciences degree are university dependent, but when taking the speciality classes, a person seeking an education degree takes education classes and a person seeking a library science degree takes library science classes. Another large difference between an education degree and a library science degree is if the college you are attending is not accredited by the American Library Association, it will not be recognized by employers or other institutions where you might want to consider a masters or PhD program. Do your homework and make sure the degree program is on the approved list before beginning any specific classes.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Teaching With A Library Science Degree
With a library sciences degree, you can teach others about the workings of the library, how you file, the special archives, any new additions or editions but this is not a teaching position. You will work with professors and educators of all levels and educations but you are not classified a teacher. After earning a degree in library sciences, you decide you want to teach, there are multiple programs to help you bridge over to an education degree. Check out Teachers Count (teacherscount.org) for more details.
Save Tip
Comments
Tip Rating
Can I Combine My Library Sciences And Education Degrees?
You can combine your degrees, but the best route would be to earn one degree and go back for the other with a more specialized focus, usually in the path of a master's degree. The advantage of having both is increasing your knowledge base and hiring skills and with the shortage of teachers, schools offer accelerated programs to those with other degrees besides teaching. Ask your counselor the best route for obtaining both degrees, what applies to both, and which would be more advantageous to earn first.
