What Can I Do with an Information/Library Sciences Degree?
General Information
Qualifications important to the field include the ability to
work well with people, good written and oral communication skills, intelligence
and curiosity, research and computer skills, an eye for detail and a general
love of learning are also essential.
Understanding trends in media, computers/technology,
Internet, and publishing is important to success in the profession. Virtually
any undergraduate degree can offer good preparation for ALA accredited graduate
programs.
Maintain a high grade point average in undergraduate work
and work on gaining strong recommendations from faculty. Work in campus or
community libraries part-time or during the summers to gain exposure to the
library environment.
Supplement undergraduate curriculum with courses in
communications, media, business or technology. Some areas of information or
library sciences may require bachelor's or master's degrees related to the job
environment.
Choose master's degree programs in library or information
science that are accredited by the American Library Association to maximize
employment opportunities.
Currently, most library science professionals work in
school, public, and academic libraries, but employment opportunities are
growing most for information specialists in settings such as corporations,
consulting firms and information brokers and in environments involving
Internet-based information.
A doctorate, either Ph.D. DLS, or DA may be required for
research and university teaching in library and information science programs or
to reach the highest levels of library administration.
Areas of Information & Library Sciences
• Academic
Libraries
• School
Libraries and Media Centers
• Public
Libraries
• Special
Libraries
• Information
Services
• Information
Systems / Technology
• Electronic
Publishing
________________________________________
Academic Libraries
POSITIONS
• Service
to Faculty and Students
• Reference
• Circulation
• Technical
Services: <ul
• Acquisitions
• Cataloging
• System
Automation
• Indexing/Abstracting
• Archives
• Serials
Management
• Manuscripts
• Access/Outreach
• Music
• Metadata
• Web
Design/Maintenance
• Digital
Files
• Digital/Paper
Preservation
• Government
Documents
• Special
Collections
• Media
Services
• Teaching
• Administration/Management
• Research
Support
• Cartographic
Information Specialist
• Publishing
• Bibliographic
Support
• Local
Area Network Manager
• Electronic
Services
• Prospect
Research
• Collection
Development
• Instructional
Technology
• Audiovisual
Materials
• Information
Literacy
EMPLOYERS
• Universities
and colleges
• Junior
and community colleges
• Specialized
academic programs e.g., seminaries, optometrist programs
STRATEGIES
Academic librarians may work one-on-one with students and
faculty, teach and present seminars, or work in technically- oriented positions
such as systems design or database management. Any bachelor's degree in liberal
arts is good preparation. Classes in communications, business/management,
computer science and statistics can be helpful. Related undergraduate subject
degree is useful when working with particular specialties such as art or
agriculture. Develop excellent computer skills. Gain experience in business and
management to work in administration. Work part-time in a college or university
library to gain relevant experience. Earn a master's degree in library or
information sciences from a program accredited by the American Library
Association (ALA).
________________________________________
School Library & Media Centers
POSITIONS
• Teaching
• Administration
• Technical
Services
• Administrator
(school system level)
EMPLOYERS
• K-12
Schools: Public and private
• Public
school districts
STRATEGIES
School librarians or media specialists may help teachers
develop curricula, prepare lesson units, team-teach or provide staff
development. Many states require a master's degree in library science and some
require a specialty certification or an educational endorsement. Some states
also require teaching certification or student teaching in a library/media
center. Work or volunteer experience related to children and teaching is
useful. Become adept with various technologies and develop strong computer
skills. Learn to work both independently and with groups.
________________________________________
Public Libraries
POSITIONS
• User/Reader
Services
• Reference
• Information
and Referral Services
• Youth
Services
• Children
• Young
Adults
• Special
Collections
• Technical
Services
• Acquisitions
• Serials
Management
• Collection
Development
• Cataloging
• System
Automation
• Archives
management
• Web
Development/Maintenance
• Special
Collections
• Administration
• Genealogical
Research
EMPLOYERS
• Central
libraries
• Library
branches
• Library
services to jails, retirement homes, nursing homes, hospitals, senior centers,
etc.
STRATEGIES
Some librarians specialize in a particular subject area,
such as government collections or technology, or a particular type of
materials, such as maps or photography, or with a special population.
Creativity, a flair for drama, and an enjoyment of children are important for
those working in youth services. Courses in child development and psychology
are helpful in this field. Develop a broad liberal arts background and earn a
master's degree in library or information science from an ALA accredited
program. Develop strong computer skills and learn to enjoy working with new
technology.
________________________________________
Special Libraries & Information Centers
POSITIONS
• Indexing/Abstracting
• Competitor
Intelligence
• Strategic
Information
• Knowledge
Management
• Records
Management/Archives
• Information
Architecture
• Document
Design
• Information
Management
• Usability
• Digital
Preservation
• E-mail
Management
• Hypermedia
• Visual
Resources
• Reprography
• Grey
Literature
• Antiquarian
Books
EMPLOYERS
• Large
hospitals
• Medical
schools
• Law firms
• Law
schools
• Bar
associations
• Large
corporations
• Industrial
and scientific collections
• Research
labs
• Local,
state and federal government agencies
• Nonprofit
organizations
• Public
libraries
• Colleges
and universities
• Art
schools
• Museums
and art institutions
• Prisons
• Galleries
• Historical
societies
• Publishing
houses
• Advertising
and public relations agencies
• News
organizations and electronic media
• Picture
services
• Motion
picture studios
• Television
stations
• Trade and
professional associations
STRATEGIES
Special collections librarians generally have interests,
skills, and knowledge related to the collection and may work with a particular
population in special libraries, e.g. lawyers or doctors. Most positions
require a bachelor's degree in a field related to the collection topic, e.g.
business, science, art, etc. Some require a graduate degree in the field. Many
law librarians have a Juris Doctor (law degree). Knowledge of foreign languages
may be required in certain fields. Develop skills in research and a solid
background in information technologies. Earn a master's degree in library or
information science from an ALA accredited program.
________________________________________
Information Services
POSITIONS
• Research
• Indexing/Abstracting
• Online
Retrieval
• Information
Architecture
• Programming
• Database
Management
EMPLOYERS
• Information
service agencies
• Outsourcing
companies
• Research
centers
• Large
corporations
• Self-employed
• Consulting
• Freelance
editing
• Research
STRATEGIES
Information services professionals provide research and services
to corporations, writers or individuals needing information or references on a
particular subject. Expertise in an industry or subject area may be helpful.
Supplement undergraduate curriculum with courses in business to gain an
understanding of marketing principles. Develop excellent research, writing and
organizational skills.
________________________________________
Information Systems / Technology
POSITIONS
• Design/Development
• Management/Operation
• Database
Administration
• Computer
Support
• Network
Administration
• Programming
• Systems
Analysis
• Web
Development/Maintenance
• Training
• Reprography
• Information
Architecture
• Digital
Preservation
• Privacy
Regulation
EMPLOYERS
• Libraries
• Public,
academic and special
• Data
processing centers
• Corporations
• Research
centers
• Government
• Universities
STRATEGIES
Professionals involved in information systems help
organizations with the storage, retrieval, and management of records or
information and support information technology in an organization. An
undergraduate degree in management information systems (MIS) or computer
science is the preferred background before earning a master's in information
science. Build a strong computer background in programming skills using several
languages, various operating systems, database management, software and
networks. Increase employment opportunities through product-related
certification or by earning Certified Computing Professional (CCP) status
conferred by the Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals. CCP's
must pass an examination and meet various requirements. Gain related experience
through internships, co-ops or part-time employment. Develop excellent written
and oral communication skills. Learn to work well with both technical and
non-technical staff.
Electronic Publishing
EMPLOYERS
• Database
producers
• Distributors
of electronic publications, e.g. business firms, universities, nonprofit
organizations, professional associations, etc.
• Electronic
publishers
• Self-employed
STRATEGIES
Electronic publishers or publishing professionals create and
distribute publications in electronic form. Develop writing skills through
classes in English, journalism or technical writing. Learn advanced website
design and programming.
Selected Positions of Information Professionals Working in Libraries
Acquisitions
Librarian
Government
Documents Librarian
Law Librarian
Legal
Information Specialist
Medical
Librarian
Clinical
Librarians
Health Information
Management Association
Scientific/Technical
Information Specialist
Reference
Librarian
Young Adults
Librarian
Bibliographer
Indexer
Abstractor
Archivist
Processing
Archivist
Records
Analyst
Records
Manager
Museum
Librarian
Museum
Registrar
Preservationist/Conservator
Antiquarian
Book Specialist
Genealogical
Researcher
Positions in
Emerging Careers
Ontologist
Taxonomist/Thesaurus
Developer
Metadata
Specialists
Bibliotherapist
Chief
Information Officer
Chief
Knowledge Officer
Chief Privacy
Officer
Competitive
Information Specialist
Digital
Projects Researcher
Document
Manager/Analyst.
Electronic/Digital
Resources Cataloguer
Imaging
Specialist
Micrographics
Specialist
Information
Scientist
Information
Architect (IA)
Information
Designer
Information
Broker
Cartographic
Information Specialist
Geographical
Information System (GIS)
Information
Manager
Information
Resources Manager
Public
Information Officer
Legal
Information Specialist
Local Area
Network Manager
Public Records
Researcher
Usability
Specialist
Medical
Informatics [related: health informatics, bioinformatics]
Data
Mining/Miner
Webmaster
Reprography
Specialist
Prospect
Researcher
Visual
Resources Specialists
Book (Or
Serials) Vendor Representative
Grey
Literature Specialist
Hypermedia
Products Developer
Electronic
Document Professional
Forms
Management
REFERENCES: School of Information Sciences,
The University of Tennessee Knoxville
www.sis.utk.edu/careers
www.liscareer.com
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