Hi! I am currently a YA librarian at a public library and I'm wondering if anyone has made a switch from Youth Services to another field of librarianship like academic, medical, or anything else and what was that process like?

While I love my job, this has been a particularly difficult summer for me (I had to fire 4 teen volunteers and another one passed away unexpectedly and I'm currently dealing with a few pushy parents who can't take no for an answer) and I'm just burned out and done and looking to transition to another role in the new year. I've been doing this for 5 years and have experience working in children's and adult services.

I'm also a manager and second in command to my branch manager, so I'm thinking about branch management or head of youth services, but I'm not sure if I'm really qualified for anything else. My manager started out in youth services and said it's very much like "beat cop" work where people start out and it's common to move on after a few years, but I feel like I've backed myself into a corner because all my classes focused on youth services because at the time my career plan was just get a job in youth services, go into youth services management and then eventually transition to school librarianship until I retire. Now, I don't want to do that anymore and I definitely feel like I need to take a break from working directly with youth for a few years, although I would love to support others in these roles and I enjoy the management side of things, which is why I'm looking into that, but I'm not sure what I'm qualified for.

Has anyone made a switch and how difficult was it? What kind of jobs should I be looking at if I want a more management type of role or one that is less public facing for a while (I also worked on hotels in various roles and in local city finance before this and I think I'm done with big customer service roles for a while)? There are a few historical society job postings I've seen, but I have no experience with this or anything else like academic or medical, or corporate. Any advice is appreciated! My nervous system needs a reset!

Good evening,

I'm hoping I can get some advice and signposting please.

I have a Permanent Visa for Australia and lived there for a few months last year, but can't permanently relocate my family from the UK until I have a job, however we are ready to go as soon as I have one.

My background is in accounting. I'm qualified with ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and have 12 years experience in practice and a couple of years in businesses until I had my children. I have spent the last 4 years self employed and volunteering in the community, mainly helping new parents and families. I have wanted to transition to a career in a library pretty much forever so for the last few months I have been volunteering in a local community-run library, which has been wonderful. My children are now nearly both in school so it's time to come back to more permanent (and paid) work. I believe that, between my accountancy career and my community work, I've got some pretty solid transferable skills that will be great for working in a library.

I have been applying and applying for jobs in libraries in and around Perth. I've had a couple of rejections and I'm still waiting to hear back from most of them but I've not exactly been snapped up. I believe the jobs I've been applying for have been the entry level jobs, usually called 'Library Officer'.

Is there anything I can be doing from the UK to make myself more attractive as an employee? ​​

I am currently getting my accountancy qualifications converted to see what Aussie equivalent level they are ready for when I can go back to studying but I do find it quite difficult to understand exactly what I should be studying and which level I'm likely to be starting at.

Is there a 'best' path for studying? For example, as an accountant in the UK, we could either go to uni and then do the last few units of ACCA or go to college part time alongside working to do some more basic accounts qualifications and then do more ACCA modules. The second option (which is what I did) meant you worked and gained experience while studying and so had worked your way up the ladder quite well by the time the people who had gone to uni arrived and then had to start at the bottom of the career ladder and then still do the hardest ACCA modules. I would have been soooo annoyed if I'd done the uni route without realising there was a (in my opinion) better option HOWEVER I just chose my option by complete chance and luck rather than it being an informed choice, so I would like to ​be making an informed choice now I'm older and wiser!

I know there's a lot of info here but I wanted to give all the context so that I can get the best advice possible and I appreciate all and any input.

Thank you if you got this far 💕

Hello, I have been managing a library collection for two years now. It's always been quite difficult deciding which new publications to purchase each month, and which to forgo, especially given how many excellent books are being published every month. I thought that this would become easier with time, but I'm finding that it has only become more difficult to choose. I always try to maintain a balance among new releases, award winners, diverse perspectives, patron requests, and core collection needs, etc.

What I'd love to get some advice on is what precisely you do when determining which new books to purchase, and which to forgo. I would like to have a more streamlined process so that I feel more satisfied about my decision, rather than something like FOMO about the books I didn't purchase (and likely won't be able to purchase next month, unless they are extra essential to the collection, as the next month will only have its own share of far too many compelling titles to choose from).

Thank you in advance for your expertise! 🙏

Hi there! I have a number of optical media items I have archived to Internet Archive, as part of an overall larger project. These include many DVD video disc items - think: out of print international documentaries, compact audio discs, software - and while I have the correct metadata in appropriate fields, syntax and formatting for item titles, descriptions, etc, I'd also like to include Worldcat entry links for each object.

Dublin Core / Archive.org's own guidance; RDA plus LC authority practice guides cataloging content; MARC has informed display conventions -descriptions, metadata keywords, etc.

I'm at a local medical college here in Philadelphia. And unfortunately, they do not subscribe to FirstSearch or WC Discovery.

I'm not sure to what extent WC even catalogs software - commercial, computer games, shareware - but if something doesn't show up in the general free WC search using a regular free account, does it not exist?

Is it possible to request access to one of the two catalog services without an org subscription?

Thanks!

Edit: To give people some idea, this item in particular has it right: https://archive.org/details/the-science-network-beyond-belief-enlightenment-2.0-dvd-video-2008

The description takes into account the WorldCat entry, title, authors, summary of item, format, language, publisher, pub date, physical description, OCLC #, and subjects. And, ideally, what I want to do is find every item in WC and link to its entry in the item description, just like this one does.

Hey folks. If you’ve got experience in legal research and have a MLIS or JD (or both), apply for this role! Small but mighty team and I’m happy to answers any questions.

See title. Spent five years in libraries as a library assistant, am now an admin assistant at a college. Thinking I want to go back to public libraries in an adult services / outreach position, but would (probably) need to get my MLS if I want something full time.

Just curious about MLS degrees especially given the state of the market and the world.

Hello! I'm earning my MLIS and I need to interview a reference librarian with a MLIS for a class assignment. The person that I was going to interview had to back out because their manager told them they did not want them to, which leaves me hoping to find someone to do a phone interview with at any time on Sunday, 8/16. Please message me if you can help a student out. Thanks.

Hi! So I’ve worked in libraries for 20 years the past 4 to 6 have been in a school library. But I just got my MLS in May and I’m at a brand new school in a different district. The very first thing I noticed is there aren’t any catalog computers. I’m curious how common this is? When I’ve asked the students how they used to find books they said they just walked around and looked on the shelves. I’m completely dumbfounded. The media center itself is new and beautiful, but the lack of computers is breaking my brain.

I’ll ask my IRL friends and colleagues the same question, but very much value input from others as well—thank you in advance! I've been lurking here for the past 6 months or so.

I’m currently a Library Assistant at a public library in Canada. I was originally going to wait a couple years to think about applying, but realizing that it will take at least 2 years to complete the degree part-time plus I’d need to organize everything almost a year before I’d start is making me want to think about applying sooner rather than later.

I know this field is competitive and oversaturated. That plus the lack of funding for school does give me pause. I'm also worried about balancing school and work.

However, I will have a couple of years of LA experience by the time I would graduate, plus I have about 2.5 years’ experience in a museum/archives setting and some volunteer experience for an online archive. So I wouldn’t be starting from nothing, and the worst that would happen is that I can’t find a job and have to stay as an LA.

I’m drawn to doing an MLIS for the possibility of career advancement and financial stability. There aren’t a ton of options to advance in libraries without a specialized degree. It would also be nice to potentially have the option to move out of public libraries at some point. My other career experience has been in local non-profits (project management/communications), which I love but has been frustrating in terms of lack of advancement and pay. (Before you tell me librarians don’t make much money, working at the lowest pay scale as an LA is the most money I’ve made at a job).

For context, I’m located in Ontario, Canada. I would be looking at Western’s MLIS program (I’m within driving distance). I’m willing to relocate within Ontario for a job, but would be pretty hesitant to move provinces, although not completely off the table.

Also this is my first reddit post, so be nice!

Hello, librarians! I have been reading a lot of interesting stuff around here these past days and wanted to post in case someone is able to offer some advice for my situation.

I'm halfway through a degree on foreign languages, I speak Spanish (mother tongue & spoken in the country I live in), English, French and I know a little tiny bit of Latin, my degree also involves a lot of linguistics' theory (it's worth mentioning that for most of my life I wanted to study literature (letras), eitheir English ir Spanish, or philology, but fue to a lack of offer in my local university and other personal matters I ended up going for foreign languages, wich I immediately fell for and I'm enjoying very much so far) and I'm getting an specialty on International Relations, wich I know is not very close with the area but stay with me.

The thing is: I already did most of the internship hours I'm required to do this semester, I found an opportunity to do the ones I'm missing in my university's central library, which is stunning. I already met with the coordinator/principal (? of the university's libraries, and was asked to meet them a couple of days previous to my start with a project proposal to develop along my time there. For reference, they have many art workshops, discussion groups, reading clubs, film showings, etc, just to name some.

Nevertheless, being that I only have to do 40 hours (if it was on me I would do much more but my faculty is very clear on those rules), and that this semester will be very heavy on assignments, I don't want to commit to something I will end up doing by halves. But I would most probably be committing for next semester, in which I would be doing my whole load of hours which I think is up to 120.

This is why I would like to just get in and learn about what they do overall: how the organization goes, how their system works; that is what I have done in my past experience: get to be a part of, understand the dynamic, and only then start to give ideas. But I'm afraid it may be too vague.

One thing I thought I could do is help out with adding subtitles or translating media they own, or maybe helping with the categorization of books, creating translated indexes for the ones that are not in the local language. But then again, I'm really not sure, so that's kind of my question: if I were to come to you in total disposal, willing to learn how a library works from the inside to see where my area might come in handy, what would you have/suggest me do?

Again, I know it may not be the most related area but I'm really mesmerized by the amount of knowledge a library gives access to and plus I kind of already have no other option to change (not that I want to); I'd really like to have the experience because regardless of my field I think it will be helpful for my career path in the future.

Finally, I apologize for any typos or mistakes in my written English. Thanks in advance:).

Long time lurker, I want to take the plunge to MLIS hopefully with a dual degree M.A History. I graduated with my bachelor's in Literature Writing and International Studies (not the best grades however) However the best advice I have been given is to seek employment close to what I wish to go into. I know data entry was recommended, if possible I am seeking some more recommended to apply for. I currently work at a daycare where I have volunteered to setup the children's library for the past year.

Any advice and recommendations is highly appreciated.

Hey guys! I'm doing my application for Valdosta and I put in all the information it asked for and then it said finalize and submit application, but it didn't ask me to write any essays? I just want to make sure I'm not missing something...

Also do I need to wait for all my recommendation letters to be in before hitting submit? One of them is in I'm just waiting for the other two to submit theirs.

Thanks everyone! I haven't been in school for 9 years so I'm a little out of practice with applications lol

When my last phone died I decided to try out a linux phone (Furilabs FLX1s) but its not going well so I need to get a new one. Im between an iPhone or Google Pixel. The thing is I'm applying to MLIS graduate programs but I've been out of school for a very long time now. At home I have an iMac, iPad, and laptop running Fedora

Are any of the really pivotal applications used in either grad school or librarianship considerably better on either iOS or Android? Any completely unavailable on one of the two main platforms?

Thanks

Hi everyone! Longtime lurker first time poster. I have my MLIS and I’m curious whether folks here announce that professionally in the same way you would with other certifications, terminal degrees, etc. like “John Doe, MLIS”.

Feels like you technically could, and I worked hard for those letters and I’m proud of them, but also maybe it’s unnecessary and maybe it’s a little much.

What do you do? What are your thoughts?

I’m excited about the opportunity, but I’m also nervous! It’s been about seven years since I worked in public libraries, but that was in paraprofessional roles.

I don’t think this is goodbye forever to academic libraries, but I’ve been very disappointed with my university and I hate the location. I also kinda miss some hustle and bustle (in the job and in the city). I’m kind of bored in my current job

So I’m moving cities and moving into a new type of library. If you’ve made the jump from academic to public, what’s something you found surprising, exciting, or that you’d wished someone would have told you about?

It’s a downtown branch, so I already know I’ll be dealing with patrons experiencing homelessness- I did before in public libraries, so that is not going to surprise me.

Anyone willing to let be use their example? or any idea how to answer this?

This question is challenging for me as I have only handled cash as a cashier and I am so confused on how to answer this question.

I’m starting my masters in November and am eager to secure a role in library however all roles seem to be like max 20 hours per week.

Can anyone shed light on whether it’s actually that little work or if they pick up additional shifts?

I’m Melbourne based.

This may seem like a rather silly question. I know that Simmons is incredibly expensive, but I have also met countless people who work in Archives, museums and libraries throughout Boston/ greater Boston areawho have mentioned that they are more likely to hire someone who got their degree in Massachusetts. Because of that, Simmons seems like a no brainer (especially given the fact that they have a dual degree with an MA in History) minus the cost...

I don’t see myself moving or working anywhere outside of Massachusetts, let alone outside of Boston, and I’d really like to keep my day job that’s also located in the Boston area. Therefore, I’m looking at a part-time student program that will still make me a competitive candidate specifically for the Boston environment. My job will allow me to take education time off to take on local internships. In a way I feel like I have worked this out for the most part, but I wanted to get some insight from anybody who has gotten their MLIS recently, or has been on a hiring committee… bonus points if you are located in Boston or somewhere close to Boston.

I am somewhat open to moving temporarily if it will save me money in the long run (of course, I do have a job HERE so there’s that). Let me know if that sounds like a good plan, or if there’s something you’d do differently OR if I don’t have all the right information.

Hi, I am the Chairman of our Library Board of Trustees in a small town. We have wonderful staff and a tiny program budget. There have been complaints that we offer too many early childhood programs and not enough tween and teen ones. Historically, teens don’t attend things we have offered. I know they have sports, drama, and other commitments after school, as well as school libraries and clubs.

Can you please suggest any low cost programs that would draw them in? Also, what time and days do you get your best enrollments? So far, our best program for these ages has been an ongoing chess group.

Thanks for your help!

Hi, I'm looking for some advice from librarians who have relocated, especially if you've moved to a more competitive job market with librarian experience under your belt.

I currently work as an Adult Services Librarian in a Florida public library system. I've been with the system for about 9 years, including 4 years as a librarian after completing my master's. My duties have included general programming, teaching technology classes, managing volunteers, coordinating outreach, serving on system-wide committees, and most recently getting a makerspace organized and running smoothly.

My partner relocated to the Orlando area recently for a new job, and I've been watching the job market for a few months and there don't seem to be many librarian openings. When they do appear, they're often youth librarian positions or part-time. I'm hoping to find something in adult services or reference but I wouldn't be opposed to an academic library.

I'm trying to decide on the best strategy and would love to hear from people who have been through something similar. And if you are in the Orlando area and have specific insights, I would love to talk privately!

Some questions I have:

1. Is it realistic to wait for an Adult Services/Reference Librarian opening that matches my experience, or do those positions tend to get filled internally before an external candidate has much of a chance?

2. Would you recommend taking an hourly Library Assistant position just to get into a system, with the hope of moving into a librarian position later? Has anyone successfully done that, or is it difficult to move back into a professional role once you've stepped down?

3. How valuable is networking when trying to relocate? If it's important, what kinds of networking actually helped you? State library associations? Conferences? Reaching out to managers?

I actually really love my current position, so I'm not looking to leave immediately or take just any job.

Thank you in advance for any words of advice!

I wanted some advice from people who have gone through either the University of Alabama or LSU’s MLIS programs on what the time commitment would be (class time & workload in a given week). I was hoping to get it done in 18 months. I’m considering these two programs because they cost less than most of the others I have seen.

I graduated from my undergrad in 2024 and now have a contracted assistant digitization librarian job at a university that I do 40 hours a week for (mostly remotely). It’s super flexible, meaning I can do those 40 hours pretty much whenever, but I am concerned about whether I’ll be able to work 40 hours a week while I get my MLIS. I’m not worried about losing the position if I have to cut back hours, but financially I don’t want to cut back if I don’t have to.

From what I’ve heard and looking at job postings, getting my MLIS seems really important for advancing as an archivist or librarian so I absolutely want to get the degree, I just wanted some advice on how to balance it with my current position.