any school/children's librarians here?

[Philadisney]

hi everyone - i am considering going back to school to get an MLS. i really have no idea what i am in for and would appreciate any information from others who are librarians. where did you go to school? what is your day like? what does your job entail? i have been researching this for a long time but have not made up my mind as i really do like my current job. thanks for any info!

 

[jedi_librarian]

Hi, there!!

I'm a public librarian (I work in adult services), but I will tell you my experiences and experiences of my friends who are children's librarians

First, I'm pretty sure that if you want to be a school librarian in the public school system, you also have to have a teaching degree. Private schools (like Catholic schools, etc are perhaps a different story. I have a friend who only has her MLS and is a school librarian, but she's at a private school, and another friend (also at a private school) who has her teaching degree but no MLS and is school librarian. So, it depends on what type of school you want to work in. Actually in Illinois, you don't even need your MLS, but an endorsement added on to your teaching degree. (But when I was in library school, there were many getting the full MLS because it's only a few credits more to get the Master's degree rather than just an "endorsement") So you might want to look into that if you're interested in working as a school librarian.

As far as public librarianship, all you need is your MLS. Of course, with being a school librarian, there are advantages over public librarianship - one being salary. School librarians make much more than public librarians (unless you work in a private/Catholic school). School librarians also work on a school year schedule, having summers off. Public librarians work year round, and if you're a Children's librarian, summer is the busiest time because of summer reading programs.

The Children's librarians here at my library are excellent. Each specialize in something different. Pre-school, school liasons, storytellers, etc. They're awesome!

Now as far as library school goes. Any background will do. It's interesting to see what librarian's bachelor degrees are in! Many are teachers, but I've seen former lawyers, science majors, all kinds. There aren't that many schools that have MLS programs. Many just go to what's closest to them, or they do it online, which seems to be the growing trend. There's a library school in the Chicago area but everyone I know who's currently in school does it online through the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee. The major advantage - they offer in-state tuition and it makes it cheaper than the school that's in the Chicago area (it's a Catholic university and expensive!).

My advice would be to try to get your "feet wet" and see about working part time in a library while you're in school. I don't know if you plan on going to school full time or not, but it seems to make all the difference. I worked in libraries prior to going to school and it was so helpful to be in the field already, especially for having access to resources for your homework (especially if you're doing your MLS online) You can work in a public library or college library - anything. It's something to put on your resume and will give you a jumpstart when looking for a job in the future (it's true!! Something they don't tell you about in library school!! At least not mine).

The American Library Association website has useful info - they offer many scholarships, too! www.ala.org

I hope this wasn't too long - just wanted to give you my input!

By the way, with your background, you could also work in a special library - like a studio/film/tv station, etc. They do exist! If you have any more questions, please don't hesitate to ask! You can PM me if you'd like, too!

Best wishes,
Carmen

 

[Philadisney]

Carmen,
I can't tell you how incredibly helpful your response is! You have definitely helped point me in the right direction! It never occured to me that I might need a teaching degree to work in a school library, but as that is what I would be most interested in, I'll be looking into that as well as the MLS. Ideally I would like to go to school full time so working PT in a library is a great suggestion. I really appreciate all your advice and the website link. If you don't mind, I'll PM you if more questions come up (as I'm sure they will!). Thank you so much!!!!

 

[CheshireVal]

I am (or was, before it expired) certified as a school librarian. To work in a school, you have to have an education degree and a certificate (though it's not the same as a teaching certificate in that you wouldn't be qualified to teach classes.) I got my M.Ed in Instructional Technology (from UGA), which had a school media certification track.

I worked for two years in a middle school library after grad school, and, to be honest, I *hated* it. I had envisioned a job of helping kids pick out books and fostering a love of reading. Ha! It turned out to be endless paperwork and cataloging. The school also pushed and emphasized the Accelerated Reader program to the point where it alone drove our library's collection. If it wasn't an AR title, we couldn't order it.


Another huge part of the job was hassling with and trying to troubleshoot A/V equipment and computers.

Most of what the teachers wanted from us was to instruct the kids on research methods, which wasn't reallly that bad. I kind of enjoyed that.

I was able to go around to classrooms and do booktalks, which I loved-- it was my favorite part of the job. The books that I took to those classrooms usually had wait lists/reserves by the time I finished talking them up!

However, during my second year I was admonished by the (new) principal because I seemed to spend too much time out and about in the library checking out books, shelving books, and talking to the kids about books rather than sitting in my office doing paperwork. She said the teachers thought I wasn't actually working.

So, that was it. I quit.

I don't think I can ever go back to a library after that experience. I had a few friends, classroom teachers, who were inspired by me and went to school for their school media certification right after I did. One hated it and quit after her first year in a library, while the other is in her 4th year in a high school library and is loving it.

Hope that helps!

 

[HugsForEeyore]

Hi! I am a children's librarian in a public library in Essex County, NJ. Like many others, being a librarian is usually a second career. My undergrad was in computer science and I got nowhere in it - never found full-time steady work, and alway felt completely incompentent! So I began to look for something else to do. This may sound awful, but one reason I became a librarian was, well, I am not exactly a model (but surgery and othodontics are helping that!), and I wanted a career where my average looks "fit in". Terrible, but true. Funny thing is, I had no real love of libraries either, I think I got my MLS since I couldn't think of absolutely anything else to do for a career!

I orginally hoped to work in technical areas or cataloging, since I have a computer background. But when I graduated, employers were interested in me only because I had prior experience working with kids (I was a babysitter and an assistant in a preshool at one time). So I became a children's librarian. I really love it - I love helping kids find some obscure book or piece of information; love finding lost items; enjoy fixing cataloging mistakes; or just chatting with the kids about what they enjoy reading. Though shelving is my main job, since the other librarians refuse to do it!

The ONLY thing I don't like is the storytimes, which is our #1 priority. We do four sessions a week during the year. I do work in a team so we share the responsibilities. These have become quite elaborate events in our library - we do songs, "age-appropiate finger plays", flannel boards, puppets, as well as read age-appropiate books. I get nervous and worry that the kids won't respond or get bored, or a child will yell out that they hate the book I picked (yes, that happened once!). I feel like I am putting on a show to entertain, and that is NOT why I became a librarian. It's alot of expectations and alot of work. I am better at it now and somewhat less nervous, but I still have sleepless nights over it.

I am definately keeping my eyes open for other librarian opportunities besides childrens. But I think I am getting "pigeon-holed" now - since it seems no one will consider me for anything else but childrens. But overall I am happy I became a librarian - but just make sure that poverty is something you can live with!

 

[Philadisney]

CheshireVal & HugsforEeyore, thank you for your thoughts!!!! It is enlightening to read about everyone's different experiences and is really helping me to work through ideas of what I would like to concentrate on. HugsforEeyore, it really sounds like I would enjoy what you do (i definitely understand that it won't make me rich). And CheshireVal, thank you for pointing out that as a school librarian one has to deal with school politics as well!
I really appreciate hearing about how everyone feels about their work - like I said, I am approaching this with very little knowledge about the field whatsoever, other than my love for children's books and organizational skills!

 

[Crankyshank]

Lots of great info in this thread

After a lot of talking to people, soul searching, and research I have decided after I graduate (whenever that will be ) I would apply for MLS programs. I don't want to work as a school or public librarian though.

I want to work in antiquities and special collections and have discovered that a MLS is much more of an asset than a graduate degree in history although it's recommend I get a certification, course work, or job experience with museum studies.

 

[Philadisney]

thank you so much everyone for your insight!!! this information will help me in my loooong decision making process. any other thoughts would be greatly appreciated - i have a lot of research to do! thank you all!!

 

[Karel]

I have worked for five years at our town library. I have a teaching degree but not a library degree. Our library is very small and has limited hours. There is only one person working at a time.

Things I do (or have done): check out, check in books, shelve books, help people with research, order loan books, catalogue books, cover books. I'm sure there's other things too. Every day is an adventure.

Also, I help plan and teach our summer reading program. At times, I have taught various storytimes.

In this day and age, it's good to have computer knowledge. Many many people come in and expect me to be their personal secretary. I help people with resumes, cover letters, and various English essays.

Some days are crazy with people and some days are sllooooowwwwww...

The school librarian is also the director of our public library. At the school, she only works 3 days a week and is considered a 'library aide'. Cracks me up. Full time job but considered part time.

 

[swilphil]

I am taking my last class for my masters in Library Science. I am also certified to be a school librarian since I taught high school for 14 years. I definitely want to continue working for the school district since the pay and hours will be much better and the libraries are wonderful in my district. The state of Kansas requires a teaching certificate and 2 or 3 years teaching experience. Many of the classes I have taken for my MLS through the University of Missouri have been online, which is very helpful for those with jobs and families. With an MLS, you can also work in university libraries, law libraries, government libraries and corporate libraries. I've taken classes with people who work for Sprint and Hallmark, and their jobs sound awesome. Good luck!!

 

[jedi_librarian]

I am taking my last class for my masters in Library Science. I am also certified to be a school librarian since I taught high school for 14 years. I definitely want to continue working for the school district since the pay and hours will be much better and the libraries are wonderful in my district. The state of Kansas requires a teaching certificate and 2 or 3 years teaching experience. Many of the classes I have taken for my MLS through the University of Missouri have been online, which is very helpful for those with jobs and families. With an MLS, you can also work in university libraries, law libraries, government libraries and corporate libraries. I've taken classes with people who work for Sprint and Hallmark, and their jobs sound awesome. Good luck!!

Congratulations on almost being done!

 

[yoopermom]

but wanted to add my two cents (always happy to see how many librarians there are here!)...

I have my MLIS from UW-Milw., and "tracked" into school library because my BA was in English and Education. At that time, an MLIS was only a few more class than just being certified, so why not?

I love what I do, but I do have two big warnings:
1. In big/rich districts, school librarians are fairly "safe", in terms of job security. I was replaced by a parapro two years ago (this week!), due to budget cuts in my small district. Last year I went on over a dozen interviews, and ALL mentioned how many VERY qualified contestants they had apply! Even districts that are doing fairly well are often cutting back to one librarian per district, and covering with parapros. If I had it to do again, I would have taken more classes during my master's in another area of library science just to cover myself.
2. I have a HUGE amount of respect for public librarians, but I am shocked at the salaries offered considering the experience/education required. I was offered a public library director position last year that would basically have been tons of hours, tons of pressure, etc, and the pay was in the low 20K. They had at least five people with their master's/lots of experience apply for it anyway! Once again, bigger cities pay more, but there's always cost of living to consider.

I'm happy to be starting a long term sub position on Friday for a school librarian who's going out on maternity leave. I miss helping children discover the joy of reading. If I were you, though, I'd definately ask to shadow different librarians doing different jobs, and look at the job websites, just to see what all your options might be. Good luck!

Terri

 

[HugsForEeyore]

Nice to see this post up again!

Well, sadly got to say that since I last posted here, I found out I lost my children's librarian job. It was predictable, as they gave it to our intern, who grew up in the community and was a favorite of the director (I was technically a temp anyway). But probably a good thing to leave, as I felt our department had it's share of "dead weight" and I felt taken advantage of, and time to move on.

I did find a new librarian job, but it is part-time nights. And all new positions I am seeing listed out there are also part-time. Honestly, I do like being a librarian, but I am open to other possibilities! Just got to find these possibilities someday!

I agree with Yoopermom about tracking - I been tracked into children's, and I wish I had more experience elsewhere, but no one will consider me for anything but childrens.

So to all the potential librarians out there - libraries are like any other working environment - got to know the right people and have the right experience to get the full-time/benefits jobs. If you don't, then be prepared to work all the night and weekend shifts, like me!

 

[jedi_librarian]

HugsforEeyore and yoopermom - You are both so right. When I was in library school a few years ago, I was always hearing "There's going to be SOOO many jobs opening up in libraries because the profession is 'graying'". Even the American Library Association was saying that they predicted that many librarians would be retiring soon and there would be a shortage of librarians. I'm just thinking "Where?!!"

For one, I don't see this mass retiring, as many librarians (who really should be retiring aren't). Second, many libraries (as you both know) replace full time librarian positions with part time Paraprofessional positions. Paraprofessionals who basically do the same thing as librarians. This doesn't help the salary situation, either. And let's just face it - people don't see librarians as "professionals", even though, yes, you do need a Master's degree!I definitely think that public librarianship is among the lower end of the payscale, though I work in the Chicago suburbs so I can't complain. I've never felt my job is threatened here, either. Unlike working in Chicago public libraries, where, as a city employee, you can easily be laid off.

I agree that anyone interested in being a librarian should pursue all options - there are so many different types of libraries. And hey, you really have to love what you do.

HugsforEeyore - I'm so sorry you lost your job. Are you hoping to find something full time? I hope you do soon, if so.

 

[Philadisney]

yoopermom, thanks for your input!! job security is definitely something to consider. although my current salary does seem about the same (if not less) as a starting public librarian, i do have the security of knowing that unless the entire company goes under, i will always have my job - that is definitely something to think about when making such a drastic career switch.

and hugsforeeyore, i am so sorry to hear about your job loss i hope that your new job is going well! my own mother completely switched careers at age 52, so i keep her in mind as an example that it is never too late to learn new things