The Ins and Outs of Library School

This blog used to be titled “Aspiring Librarian” and there’s a reason for that! I currently work in a public library while completing an online program to receive my Master of Library and Information Science. I talk about what it’s like to work in a public library in this post here, if you’re interested in knowing more about that.

So I thought it’d be a good idea to dedicate a post to talking all about library school. I’m no expert, but I’m on track to graduate this December and I’ve done a little bit of research on the subject. So maybe this’ll be helpful for those of you who are looking to receive your MLIS, or for those of you who are simply curious!

Is an MLIS necessary to work in a library?

It depends! Most every library will require that full-time librarians have an MLIS or are at least on track to receive their MLIS. There are roles that don’t require a master’s, like library assistant positions, which usually entail working at the circulation desk, or pages, who shelve and organize library materials. But if you’re looking at this as a longterm profession and you want that Librarian title, you will need an MLIS!

What library school should you attend?

First of all, you’re gonna want to make sure that your school is ALA accredited. Here is a directory of ALA accredited schools, straight from the American Library Association’s website. This resource is also helpful for seeing what each school has to offer.

That brings me to my next point. You’ll also want to look at the different pathways various schools offer. Do you want to work in a children’s library? Do you want to work with archives? Or in a digital library? Or in a law library? In a museum? In a public library? There are a surprising number of ways in which you can put your degree to use, and knowing what you want to do career-wise will help determine which school is best for you. For instance, if you want to work in a school library, there is a specific degree requirement for that. And if you’re going into college as an undergraduate, certain schools, like Rutgers University, now offer dual degree programs, so you can receive both your BA and MLIS simultaneously. You don’t have to specialize in anything though, particularly if you can see yourself working in a variety of library settings, so you can just do a general library degree if you prefer. That’s what I’m doing. 🙂

Lastly, you’ll want to look at whether the program is offered entirely online, in person, or though a hybrid format. Even pre-pandemic, many library programs were heavily based online. If you are working full-time or if you’re looking at schools in a different state, then perhaps you’ll want to attend school entirely online. Some people prefer in person classes and simply learn better that way, so in that case, you’ll want to look for schools that offer at least some opportunities for face-to-face learning. The PDF linked above also gives that information.

This page on the ALA’s website is a helpful concise guide on how to go about choosing a library school. Definitely take a peek. They’re the experts, after all!

What is the application process like?

I applied to a total of four schools. All schools required transcripts from previous colleges. Three out of four required multiple letters of recommendation as well as an essay about why I want to pursue an MLIS. Luckily none of the schools required GRE scores. They were either not required for any student, or they were not required if you had above a certain GPA as an undergraduate.

How long will an MLIS take?

This, of course, depends on whether you’re attending part-time or full-time, but I’d say it will take at least two to three years, though if you really load up on classes, it can probably be done in less time. Most programs require earning anywhere from 30 to 40 credits. So if you’re like me and you’re taking an average of two classes per semester, it’ll probably take you just over two years to earn your MLIS.

What is the coursework like?

Like any degree, an MLIS will require a set of core classes you’ll need to take along with a certain number of electives, and these will depend on what track you pursue. The core classes will likely include an introductory course, a library management course, a course about offering reference services, an organization of information course, and perhaps a collection development course. Additionally, you’ll take Capstone and Research Methods in your final semesters. Typically you will not have to write a thesis.

You’ll find that the coursework is extremely versatile. In your introductory course, you may learn about the history of libraries and the evolving role they’ve played in society. In your Organization of Information course, you may learn some of the basics on cataloguing and metadata, databases, and just the overall ways in which information is organized. In a collection development course, you’ll discuss the importance of maintaining library collections through practices like ordering new materials and weeding older ones.

What are the assignments and workload like?

In my experience, classes are set up in weekly modules. Almost every class has a discussion component, where you post on a discussion board each week and respond to one or more classmates. And like any academic program, you’ll have essays and final projects and all that fun stuff! For instance, for my Information Policy class, I wrote an op-ed on the Children’s Internet Protection Act. For my introductory class, I toured a local library, interviewed the director and wrote a report about the experience. I’ve written papers on the importance of community outreach. I’ve created lesson plans and drafted a teaching philosophy. For my Human Resources class, I wrote a paper about conducting effective performance evaluations. And for my children’s literature courses, we were assigned lots of fun projects, like a book talk and a book trailer, as well as creating a LibGuide. (LibGuides are designed by librarians and they are used to inform and offer resources on a certain topic. My topic was on children’s and YA graphic novels.)

In terms of rigor, in my experience and like in any academic program, it largely depends on the professor and their workload. However, I did find the program, at least at a part-time pace, to be very doable. However, if you’re working full-time, and taking extra classes on top of other responsibilities like taking care of a family, I can imagine the degree being much more difficult.

And personally I had points where I struggled to feel motivated or to give myself a sense of structure being that everything in my program is online and asynchronous. As an undergraduate, half the battle was showing up to class. On the flip-side, I think it’s much more difficult for professors to remember you when they’re assigning your final grade because they never saw you in person or had a real conversation with you.

Do I personally think a master’s should be necessary?

In my humble opinion, the experience and knowledge you gain from working in a library is far more valuable than what can be taught in a classroom. I think, especially considering the relatively modest salary of many librarians and the fact that a master’s is so costly, a certification program or an undergraduate track would more than suffice.

With that being said, the MLIS requirement makes the profession more competitive, which benefits those who’ve done the work to earn their MLIS. I think it shows employers that you’re serious and committed to the field. Also, I’ve learned a ton of valuable information in school, and I’m so close to being able to say that I have a master’s degree, which is pretty cool!

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These are just a few tips and tidbits of information about library school. This ended up being much more longwinded than I’d planned, but hopefully I’ll have answered some of your questions! And please, if you have any knowledge about the MLIS, feel free to chime in. Also bear in mind: my experiences and perspective may be quite different from other MLIS students who work in a different library setting, attend a different school, or have pursued a different track. It truly is a versatile degree and quite practical and hands-on!