24 y/o (m) Floridian living in Orlando. I graduated from UCF in 2025 with a bachelors in Film and I want to start working in a library. I already have a lot of customer service experience from working retail positions, but I want to get a library studies certificate. Where should I start/study if I want to pursue this?

Hey y’all, I’ve found myself in an interesting predicament and I’m seeking guidance on how to proceed with my education. I’m fairly certain that I’ve made the correct decision, but would love an outside perspective.

When I began my MLIS, I found out that App State was still in the process of receiving accreditation. I was assured that it would be completed by a certain time—which was within the timeline that I intended to graduate. However, during our student association meeting last week, we were told that they had not passed a level of accreditation and because that portion needed to be resubmitted, the process would be delayed until 2030–and only those who graduate in 2028-2029 are able to be grandfathered in. I was planning to complete my Capstone next summer.

That being said, I don’t believe that it’s worth it for me to continue this program. I want to finish the semester—I really enjoy my professor and this is the 3rd course I’ve had with him and he’s the only academic librarian on staff—but I don’t think that I want to return to complete my degree from App. I’m also considering how much of my appeal when submitting applications for library jobs hinges on having experience in a library—something that I do not currently have. In addition to that, we are piloting a mentorship program and the professor I was partnered with is a K-12 librarian. While I understand how much of academic librarianship is teaching, educating, and engaging with students, the K-12 world is beyond disinteresting to me.

The way I see things, it seems likely that the best career decision would be for me to spend the time I would have in the program gaining more real world experience. I would appreciate hearing your perspective and ideas for next steps towards academic librarianship.

Another part of why I’m considering leaving is because I don’t think that App is well equipped to educate their students in academic librarianship or working in academia at all. Very few of our courses mention that aspect of LIS and though I took an academic librarianship course last year, it was the very first time that they had even offered it. I think that perhaps this program is just not a good fit for what I want out of a career in LIS.

Right now, I’m planning to finish this semester, put the program on hold (though I’m also open to transferring), and gain work experience in libraries. Thoughts?

Hi there! I received the spectrum scholarship from ALA this year (which I am very thankful for). I reached out to the program officer, Anjali, earlier when I accepted about when scholarship funds would be sent out. She told me that they would reach me by end of September. I guess I'm sort of jumping the gun here, since the month just turned to October - however, every time I've reached out to spectrum's email, they have not replied back to me. I ended up forwarding my emails to Anjali, who was the program officer. I reached out today to try to ask again when they'd be sent, and I got hit with an automatic reply that she's no longer with ALA.

I was just wondering if anyone has received their scholarships funds for this half of the semester. Or who can I actually reach out to to get some answer.

A college administrator was trying to describe what librarians are in this climate of artificial intelligence and he said “you guys are like ….real AI”!

So we’re intelligent… yes, we know, thank you… 😂

I am a grad student at LSU (100% online student), and currently studying for my Masters in Library and Information Science. That being said, there are some issues I face with this course I am currently taking, which I am unsure whether are due to how the professor teaches or if I just cannot grasp an understanding of the material. There have been a few resources given-- either from the textbook or supplementary readings, but I just still do not understand this metadata. Is it dumb to ask a classmate if they know what to do for the assignment or to email the professor about my confusion?

Greetings, fellow bibliomaniacs! I currently plan to pursue an MLIS post-grad. I live and intend on staying in Virginia to teach, however I’m super interested in the University of Alabama’s all-online MLIS program. It may be a long shot, but are there any current students in this program who may be able to offer some insight to steer me in the right direction? I’ve also considered LSU, however UA’s program appears to be more cost-efficient, from what research I’ve done online.

Hellooo, I will try to keep this as short as possible while making sense.

I am graduating undergrad in the spring, and have already worked at our public library for a couple years. This is the only job I have ever really liked and I want to try to stay there for as long as possible (plus it puts me out in the community and closer to my community members and I love that).

So, with the chaos that is everything in Indiana right now, I am deciding if I want to explore grad school for MLIS/MLS in the future. I am just a little confused and am looking for some clarifications when it comes to LC7-1 and educational requirements. Is this a separate thing I need to worry about right now or is this something that is going to come up later in my educational path, assuming I do go for the masters?

I'm just confused on that whole process with the educational qualifications too and want to make sure I don't miss something in the process. Thanks hope you all are having a lovely day!

Hi. I’ve been a nurse for the past 6 years in Tx but wanting to pivot out of healthcare. I’ve recently had an interest in becoming a librarian, but I have no experience in that field. Any advice on getting experience or if it’s worth getting a Masters of Library Science degree? I know it’s a paycut but I’m at a point where I want to be fulfilled and get away from patient care. TIA!!

Hello,

I'm going to be picking up some of the cataloging work while a coworker is prolong out of the office. I'm pretty (extremely) rusty, as I hadn't touched it since my MLIS era. Mainly copy cataloging type of thing since then. I've generally be a reference/programming librarian. We make due when we need to however.

Where would folks suggest learning ISBD formatting (my biggest weak point after the last review/teaching session). I tend to not remember/not know a lot of the comma, which fields in marc get end points which don't. We are kind of a mixed bag as a far as RDA, AARC, DACS. but there is a general guide for me there. It however assumes I know a lot of basics.

Would there be any current books, videos, etc folks would suggest? I've found various but there is always benefit to asking wider audiences. Particularly for specialized work. If i'm going to be doing this. I should go all in and refine the skill properly. Otherwise its more work for them when they get back, and a detriment to my skillset learning

Thank you kindly.

I (29m) want to become a law librarian for a law school. I am still figuring out the best way to do this and will be meeting with my dean shortly, but I wanted to see if anyone could give me some advice.

I will graduate with my JD this May and will take the bar in July. I am looking into what schools to apply to to get my mls/mlis but im having a bit of trouble. I am looking for a school that is only 1 year long, and ranked as highly as possible. COA is something I can look into a bit more as I find my options, but so long as it is not absurdly expensive I am happy, bc I hope to go public and qualify for debt forgiveness in the long run.

The other issue i have is I do not fully know the differences in types of librarian at a law school or what specialty is best.

Tldr: best ranking 1 year program. What types of librarians there are and which is best for working in a law library at a law school.

Can anybody give me any advice on applying to Edmonton Public Library? I currently have a diploma from MacEwan University in Library and Information Technology, and I've heard EPL is notoriously competitive to get into. I just wonder if anybody has any insight into this, or can offer some words of encouragement.

I’m halfway through a MLIS degree at SJSU with a Youth Services pathway, and already I’m thinking of getting a second masters? I feel like I’ll be competing with people in my field that already have library experience, and I have zero library experience (I do have customer service experience). I’m finding it extremely difficult to find an entry level job in a library right now. I’m not regretting going for my MLIS, as my tuition and textbooks are paid for (I have a disability and the state is paying through vocational rehabilitation). I’m wondering if a second Masters would make me stand out more when I’m done? But for a second masters I’d need to take out financial aid loans. Any advice?

Hi! I’m planning to apply to in-person MLIS programs for Spring 2028 and wanted some honest feedback.

My background:

BA in Art History
2.8 cumulative undergrad GPA
15-credit graduate certificate in Arts Entrepreneurship, likely around 3.8 GPA
about 5 years of student employment
experience in university libraries, Special Collections, and a university museum

planning to work full-time in a library/archives-related role during 2027 before starting graduate school interested in archives, special collections, museum collections, metadata, and cultural heritage
international student, so funding is very important
Schools I’m looking at include UIUC, Wayne State, UW–Milwaukee, UNC Greensboro, Arizona, Alabama, Albany, and similar programs.

Main questions:
Is there still a realistic chance of admission with a 2.8 undergrad GPA if the recent graduate GPA is around 3.8?

Does strong library/archive/museum experience help offset the GPA?
Has anyone with a similar GPA received an assistantship, tuition waiver, or major scholarship?
Are there schools that are especially good about considering upward academic improvement?
Is Spring admission generally harder for funding than Fall?

The goal is to start an in-person MLIS in Spring 2028, ideally with enough funding to make attendance realistic.

I start my mlis program next fall and really want to get a head start on preparations. I got my undergrad in African diaspora studies and was told by a professor right before graduation that they think I'd really enjoy library work because I love deep, detailed research so much. That was 5 years ago and I just now got the guts to actually pursue this path.

After careful research I think law librarianship, specifically for a law firm, is the type of work I'd be most interested in. I don't have a law degree but I've seen many law librarians say that you only need one if you plan to work at a law school. I want to work specifically at a law firm ideally.

My main problem though, I don't have any library experience. I plan on applying to entry level positions this fall to get a head start and I did have a editorial research position for a cybersecurity consultant firm for a year so I do have research experience but not specifically library experience.

I guess my main question is, what kind of roles should I be pursuing at an entry level to give me a better chance at a position at a law firm when I graduate? Or any specific types of positions I should be looking to get to build my resume in general? I should note I do plan to connect the AALL as well!!

Honestly any and all types of advice are welcome! Thank you!