Is anyone here a librarian?

[supernova]

besides Miss HoneyChurch. ;-)

I was wondering about it for a second career. And possibly interested in a MLS (Masters Library Science).

I would like some advice and info on this career choice.

[Lyric]

1. PM Mountain Laurel

She's a librarian

:hi:

[supernova]

2. Thank you Lyric

:hi:

[MountainLaurel]

26. You rang?

OK, so right now I'm not actually employed as a librarian, but I think I still count.

So Lyric, when you publish your first book of poetry, do I get a signed copy?

[Rhythm]

34. I'll make sure of it...

She's gona need an agent, baby...

Call me... we'll do lunch! :hi:

[nickinSTL]

3. I am.

Happy to help if you have questions.

I'm a cataloger - one of those librarians the public never sees...and other librarians think are weird - though I'm not exactly sure why.

[supernova]

4. What does a cataloger do?

Do you bind mags into big books?

I'm just learning about all the specialized jobs in a library. :-)

[nickinSTL]

9. you know when you go to a library

and go to the online catalog, and do a search?

It's my job to make sure that the information about the books, DVDs, etc. in the library can be found in the catalog.

There are a lot of rules about how information should be entered and how to figure out what information is important to include, and it's my job to know (or be able to find) those rules and apply them.

In simple terms, I help people find the information they're looking for from behind the scenes, make it easier for them to find the information they're looking for on their own. Of course, there are times you need to talk to a librarian to find stuff, and that's what the reference librarians are for.

[supernova]

10. Oh, how interesting

I always wondered who wrote all those entries in the database.

[no name no slogan]

14. Are you like a taxonimist?

I used to work at a knowledge management company and we did a lot with taxonomy and organizing information. Fun stuff.

[nickinSTL]

31. it's fairly similar

I think, though not exactly the same, I don't think - though what taxonomists do specifically, I'm not sure.

[no name no slogan]

33. Taxonimists are the ones who come up with categories for information

For example, a lot of them do stuff with web sites, designing information architecture and defining the different categories of information. A lot of it is researching and finding out how people find information, and what categories they create/use to find information. It's pretty interesting, a good mix of theory and practice.

[nickinSTL]

43. most catalogers don't come up with the structure...

or the categories, they just apply them. There are some that are more involved in the development, but not many - though any can make suggestions.

Considering that I studied information architecture in grad school - seems like taxonomy would be a good fit for me. Not that I'm looking to change jobs anytime soon.

[hibbing]

19. cool

Hi,
That sounds very interesting! Librarians of all sorts are the best of people!

Peace

[LostinVA]

32. I did this, too, but it drives most people crazy

I cataloged serials, which drives regular catalogers crazy. Most people hate it.

[nickinSTL]

40. Heh. yeah. not a fan of serials.

I have one on my desk now that I'm avoiding...hoping I can pass it on to someone else...

[LostinVA]

41. I cataloged 'em for seven years

It caused half the grey hairs on my head.

Which title.

[nickinSTL]

42. something weird...

a fairly rare thing on wrestling - specific to somewhere in Illinois...which is why it's just sitting there, for now.

[realisticphish]

17. I just finished a cataloging intro course

I'm looking at archives, so it's kind of a necessity. I was surprised to find that I rather enjoyed it.


And yes, catalogers are trolls. They live in the basement and never talk to anyone ;)

[elleng]

23. My supremely un-weird mother was 'cat + class'

at Boston Public Library (a long time ago!) I believe she enjoyed it, and had great friends.

[MissHoneychurch]

35. I LOVE cataloguing

and don't understand either why other librarians think that is weird.

[Lavender Brown]

5. I'm in an MLS program and I work in a library

:hi: There are a lot of us in the program who are career-switchers.

[supernova]

7. How do you like your MLS program?

Is it difficult?

Expensive? (Silly question, I know. :silly:)

PM me if you don't want to advertise. I'm gathering information on whether this is a good path for me.

[Lavender Brown]

24. It's pretty good so far

I'm going part-time to avoid taking out a loan. The expense was definitely an issue for me. I'm still paying off my undergrad loan for another year, and I didn't want to be burdened with any more student debt. It's hard to work a 40-hour week and then try to get coursework done, but it's the only option for me. I get kind of jealous when I see people fly through the program and I'm just plugging away a few classes at a time, but I'm getting a lot of experience at my job which is ultimately better. Maybe talk to some local librarians from different kinds of libraries if you think you might like it. Good luck! :hug:

[no name no slogan]

6. I used to know an archivist (had an MLS degree)

She worked with primary source materials, mainly. When I knew her, she was working at the state agency I worked at, helping them to archive/manage many decades worth of primary source materials, mainly dealing with health and welfare programs. She was an employee of the state historical society.

Last I heard she was a consultant with Accenture (formerly Anderson Consulting). So there's a wide variety of stuff you can do with it.

[supernova]

8. Being an archivist might be fun

I love thumbing through old documents and books. :-)

Wierd.

[unsavedtrash]

11. yes.

Public services in an academic library.
Happy to answer any questions.

[Midlodemocrat]

12. LostinVA. PM her.

[Wapsie B]

13. I'm considering the same thing.

It's held my curiosity for some time, and now's as good a time as any to take a closer look.

[Richard Steele]

15. MissHoneyChurch is a librarian? How did I not know that?

Librarians are HOT.
I feel like that Grinch feller at the end of the cartoon: a part of my anatomy just got 3 sizes larger.

OK, all jokes aside, Supernova:
You know that my Ex-Sweetie and I are no longer together.
But if she gave you her eMail address,
she'd be a good person to ask about this.

At least TWO (maybe 4) of her former Swarthmore classmates
that we used to get together with are LIBRARIANS
working for the various universities in the Durham metroplex.
(I could never keep track of which- They had tenure at DUKE,
but taught at UNC, or vice versa: it was all very confusing to
this toothless hillbilly from Polecat Hollow!)

But you know she always liked you a lot: I'm sure she'd
be very happy to connect you with some people who could
be of great assistance to you, in regard to your current question.

If you don't know how to get in touch with her,
let me know, and I'll see what I can do to get you
some current contact info for her.

[realisticphish]

16. I'm currently an MLS student

So far, I really enjoy it. I'm looking into archives, but I'm keeping my education broad, so I don't get pigeonholed

[huskerlaw]

18. I am.

I have an MLS and a JD, I work at a law library. I finished library school relatively recently (2003), and I have an aunt and a good friend who are currently in 2 different library programs. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions! :hi:

[Flaxbee]

20. thanks for the thread, supernova. I was looking into this a year

or so ago and got great feedback from others on this board. Still thinking about it ... just have to get to a better place before I decide. :hi:

[Inchworm]

21. They won't let me back in college

Or I'd be taking this craft up.

There are a couple of different "tracks" to pursue depending on your want.

:hi:

[csziggy]

22. The school I attended changed the major to Information Technology

And now it includes internet information organization as well as books, magazines and traditional media. I only have a Bachelor's in Library Science (and Anthropology, double major, no minor) so I can't do much with my degree. I've thought about getting a Masters and they will let you do that with nearly all online classes - Florida State University http://ci.fsu.edu/Graduate/Online_Degrees.asp But since I want to stay in Tallahassee and we are covered up with FSU grads, there are few employment opportunities here.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

25. i believe infomaniac has a MLS

:)

[RadiationTherapy]

27. I am a library staff member who makes less than $30k per year.

I work the "Reference Desk" 6 hours straight every saturday with no librarians in the building at all. Modern electronic search techniques make Librarians less and less relevant. I do not think there will be high demand for them in a decade. The skills are important, but easily duplicated electronically.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

28. Do the 'real' librarians go to great lengths to make sure people know you're 'just staff'?

They've always done that at our college. Incredibly petty behavior.

[RadiationTherapy]

29. How'djyou'know!? Yeah, that happens.

[Mabus]

30. No but I slept at the Holiday Inn Express last night.

And today I'm reading a book. Does that count?

[MissHoneychurch]

36. Didn't know there were so many librarians here

or people who think about getting into it.

Makes me proud of my profession :)

[RandomThoughts]

37. Personally, I think it is one of the most honorable jobs.

I remember seeing this twilight zone episode, with a great librarian. :)

http://www.tv.com/video/cECrkUfCpb3irhnV_KadYQA_dXB6IIKo/101/237/the-twilight-zone-1-2-hr---the-obsolete-man?o=cbs

Also the mountain men were the librarians in Fahrenheit 451.

The libraries are the repository of the words of people from a current book, to some of the oldest writings, in that the simple job of cataloging and preserving, is an awesome responsibility.

I might think of it to highly, but it is a very respectful job in my view.

[MissHoneychurch]

39. I love being a librarian

not only do I help other people find informations, I am also learning at the same time.

And there is no question I love handling the books, some of them are rather old here at the library I work at :)

[Jamastiene]

38. I am not one, but I have always wanted to practically live at a library.

I could read for the rest of my life and be perfectly happy. It would be a great career choice if you love and appreciate the value of the written word. Best of luck to you. I hope you succeed. :hi: