Things to Know Before Applying to Library School

I was excited to interview two library school students for this article.

The first student is Vaughn Fazio, who is in his last semester at the University of Alabama. He has a bachelor’s degree in history and works as a desk assistant at the Allentown Public Library, part of the Monmouth County Library System in New Jersey. He’s pursuing the archival concentration in his program, though he’s open to working in other areas of librarianship.

The second student is Aaron Wells, the customer services department head at Central Rappahannock Regional Library in Stafford, Virginia. He’s pursuing a concentration in leadership and emerging technologies at San José State University and is entering his final semester of the program. He studied sociology and human services as an undergraduate.

Finally, I included my own insights in this article as well! I recently earned my MLIS from San José State University. I have a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and archaeology and another master’s degree in anthropology. I currently work as a principal library assistant at the R. Barbara Gitenstein Library at The College of New Jersey in Ewing, New Jersey. I’m interested in digital repository asset management, accessibility, and public services.

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Accredited Programs Only!

For the most part, potential employers don’t care where you obtained your degree as long as you completed your coursework at an American Library Association (ALA) accredited program. The ALA maintains a directory of schools that hold ALA accreditation status. Be sure to check this list before you commit to the school of your choice. It is unlikely that you’ll find employment as a librarian if you attend a nonaccredited program.

Consider Costs

Graduate school programs are expensive, but many online programs do not charge out-of-state tuition fees. Some programs even offer scholarships to current and incoming students.

Fazio says about choosing the right school, “In the end, I did what was better for my pocket.”

Wells says, “I think when considering specifically what school to apply to, you should consider [the] return on investment for sure. Especially if you’re planning to work at a smaller public library or a smaller academic institution, you will not make a lot of money. That’s just the reality of the field. And some library degrees are very affordable.”

Based on my personal experience, I suggest working part-time while you go to school so you can pay as you go, minimizing the number of student loans you might take out. This strategy will take longer to finish a program, but it feels like less of a financial burden when you spread the expenses over several years rather than trying to complete everything in two years.

Networking

Wells advises that prospective MLIS students reach out to professionals in the field. He says, “I would encourage students to actually reach out to consider what libraries and institutions they might want to work at, and reach out and say, ‘I’m considering going to this school. Do you have any advice? Do you know anyone else who has gone to that school?’ I did this.”

Wells reached out to a librarian via an online chat tool. He says, “I told them what my plan was. And I asked them for feedback and opinions. And they, a librarian, actually reached back out to me and gave me really great feedback. So I think that communicating with other professionals in the field too, when you’re considering what school to go to and how to start, is really helpful too.”

It also helps that three of us already work in a library since we can always ask our librarian colleagues questions about the industry. It’s good to know about emerging technologies and trends in best practices so you can stay current in your area of interest.

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Update That CV/Résumé!

Be sure to have your CV/résumé up to date so that when you see a job posting that appeals to you, you’ll be ready to apply. Things to include: education, recent work history, and relevant extracurricular experience.

Specializations

There are several areas of specialization in library science, each with its own requirements to become a librarian. You should ask yourself, “Do I want to work in a public, academic, or school library? Or do I want to pursue archival studies?” You don’t need to have these questions answered before you apply, but it will make it easier for you to select classes that align with your interests.

Furthermore, school librarians have specific criteria they must meet in their coursework—as do archivists. Some states, like New Jersey, require that school librarians also hold a library media specialist certificate. If you want to enter the public or academic sectors, there’s a bit more fluidity between those areas.

Starting Salary

Salary ranges vary for librarians. Academic librarians typically make more than other librarians. Public and school librarian salaries often depend on the funding their institutions receive. Many archival positions pay well, though many are temporary contracted positions. Be sure to pay close attention to salary details, which are usually included in the job posting (though not always).

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Work Experience

Fazio advises prospective librarians to first try to get their foot in the door at a library. He says, “I think working in a library in any capacity helps. I started here fifteen hours a week while I had a different job.” He says that working in a library while working toward his degree allows him to put into practice the things he’s learning in his classes.

Parting Advice

Fazio says, “Have passion, honestly. . . . Don’t do it just because you like to read. Do it because you like libraries, you like information. If you like to read, that’s great . . . just enjoy facilitating information by not teaching.”

Wells says, “I think one should definitely consider their goals for their career in library science. So if you want to be an academic or a public librarian, really, you can do anything for your undergrad.”

As for me, I recommend getting your foot in the library door early so you can gain work experience while you go to school. Check civil service websites and library sites for current job postings and see what’s out there. Gaining experience and building your network will help you in the long run.

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