Many library science students just look at the traditional roles of librarians for job options, when in reality there are a wide range of career options available for someone with library and information training.
1. MLS Career Alternatives Barbara Albee, Lecturer SLIS
Indianapolis October 29, 2010
2. Library positions evolving Public, academic, corporate,
medical and other libraries have transformed to include functions
not commonly found 25 years ago The technology services function
has become vital to the operation Internet librarians are the
conduits for patron access to information on the Web Digital
library collections are growing in size and popularity Libraries
are also placing a premium on experts from other disciplines who
earn MLS degrees Those other professions include attorneys,
businesspeople, nursing and medical
3. Non-traditional libraries Every Collection Is Not Based on
Books Organizations in a variety of industries are finding the
skills and services of librarians to be useful. Tracking items and
objects such as charts, chairs, boats, and bears requires
information tagging and data base creation skills similar to those
used for books, reports and magazines. Librarians and information
professionals are able to combine the best of cataloging, records
management, indexing and abstracting to help in addressing these
needs.
4. We have alternatives to working in atraditional library
5. What does the Bureau of LaborStatistics have to say
aboutLibrarians? Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition
Related Occupations Where are some other places librarians are
needed?
6. Corporations need Librarians The business world has
discovered librarians in a big way. In addition to traditional
corporate libraries, businesses need people to help them gather,
organize, store and access information about their businesses. For
example, headhunting firms gather information about their client
firms and their candidates. The president of a New York recruiting
firm stated that [with more information about industries and
positions, search firms have a better chance of luring the best
candidates for jobs, so librarians are being paid well for their
services. (Gates, 2001) Growing area of Knowledge Management.
Project Planners.
7. Freelance positions are a possibility Freelance
entrepreneurial Librarians Many libraries outsource today
Consultants Some firms provide contractual information services to
provide flexible jobs for librarians Freelance indexing. I decided
to go into librarianship, and indexing in particular, indexes are
so important I never really made a decision to become a
free-lancer. I just found, after tackling several independent
projects and seeing them through to their successful conclusion,
that I was one. (Sellen, 1980, p. 138) book, periodical, and
database indexing Information brokers (for others)
8. Go where the technology is Growth of technology has led to
an increase in librarian jobs outside of libraries. Webmasters
design, program and maintain web sites Database specialists
organize, update and store data Systems analysts and network
administrators keep information flowing within and between
organizations
9. Government too Library administrators sometimes become
government administrators. A career in the library and information
field has endless possibilities. You can choose to work in
traditional and non-traditional roles, clerical to management
levels, any library environment anywhere in the world and at
anytime as an entry level to retired library and information
professional.
10. Librarians can go to the dark side Library Vendors of all
types hire Librarians Library experiences are crucial here Data
handling People skills Cataloging Management Budget Licensing
Copyright issues Technology Speak the language of libraries
Customer education and training
11. Vendor benefits Travel Workshops Trade shows Fast-Paced
Variety Different each day Visit many libraries & settings
Conferences/networking Helps you stay current Work from home
12. Vendor positions do exist EBSCO MLS degreed persons in top
positionshttp://www2.ebsco.com/en-
us/app/AboutUs/Pages/eismanagement.aspx Baker &
Taylorhttp://www.btol.com/home_aboutus_details.cfm?sid
eMenu=Management%20Team&home=home_ab outus_details.cfm
13. Not for everyone Busy, Fast-paced, travel Keep up with
business trends Vocal, Motivated, Proactive
14. Internship opportunities do exist
Internshipshttp://www.swets.com/web/show/id=90623/langid=4 2Taped
Editions internship
15. Think outside the box Cataloging to Business Information
System to Content Architect Taxonomy Metadata Reference to
Researcher toInformation Broker Librarian to Educator
16. Real life people Beverley Geer (Library/Sales Consortia
Manager, SAGE Publications) Peter McCracken (Co-founder of Serials
Solutions) Sue Easun (Acquisitions Editor for Scarecrow Press)
Sandy Hurd (Director Strategic Markets, Innovative Interfaces,
Inc.) Bob Boissy (Manager of Account Development and Strategic
Alliances, Springer) Christine Stamison (Senior Customer Relations
Manager Swets &Zeitlinger Marla Whitney (Ralph J. Bunche
Library at the Department of State) Jane Potee (Government
Contracts Manager, Taped Editions, Inc.)
17. Actively look for opportunities Get to know your library
vendors of all types Attend local and national conferences and
visit the Exhibits Get involved with professional organizations,
build relationships Check vendor and publisher websites for job
opportunities Vary your own work experiences Employers look for
skills Do not limit employment opportunities by making your studies
too narrow Get your foot in the door
18. The job possibilities are endless Medical Records and
Health Information Technicians Computer Systems Analysis Prepress
Technicians and Workers Desktop Publishing Market and Survey
Researchers Abstractor Analyst Broker Collection developer
Consultant Database manager Grant writer
19. Professional organizations AIIP Association of Independent
Information Professionals SLA Special Libraries Association
Non-Traditional Careers Caucus ASCLA Association of Specialized and
Cooperative Library Agencies
20. Sources LIScareer.com Career Strategies for Librarians.
Librarians in the Information Age: Alternative Uses of MLS Degrees
by Darwin McGuire
http://www.liscareer.com/mcguire_alternativecareers.htm Ask
Tangognat: Alternative Careers for
Librarianshttp://www.tangognat.com/2006/08/09/ask-tangognat-alternative-careers-for-
librarians/Alternative Careers & Personal Development SLA
Toronto Chapter, February 9, 1999 Presented by Vicki Casey
http://units.sla.org/toronto/resources/alternativejobs.asphttp://units.sla.org/toronto/resources/career/casey.htmhttp://apprenticelibrarian.wordpress.com/2010/05/21/colloquium-on-what-else-can-
you-do-with-an-mls-degree/