Resources for Prospective Graduate Students in Library and Information Studies

Welcome to the exciting world of Library and Information Science. This page is designed to put a face on one of the most diverse, fast-paced and versatile career options for the new millenium. Please explore the topics below and email us if you have any questions or comments.

The Degree & Finding a Program

The Master of Library and Information Studies is a versatile, professional degree that prepares graduates for exciting careers in the information field. Recent MLIS grads have obtained positions all over the world as archivists, database designers, indexers, information brokers, information systems managers, professional librarians, records managers, researchers, and web designers.

The curriculum of library and information studies encompasses information and knowledge creation, communication, identification, selection, acquisition, organization and description, storage and retrieval, preservation, analysis, interpretation, evaluation, synthesis, dissemination, and management. Most programs require completion of the degree within six years. A number of distance learning programs exist. For more information about choosing the right school and program, review the following:

• ALA Guide to Choosing a Master's Program
  Includes overview, sources for further info and distance learning links.
• Directory of ALA Accredited Programs
  List of accredited programs by region.
• List of Other Library Certifications
  colt.ucr.edu/ltprograms.html
  Sponsored by the Council on Library/Media Technicians
• U.S. News & World Report Library Schools by Rank
  Ranked list accompanied by articles and tools (last ranked in 1999)

Scholarships & Internships

There are a number of scholarships available to assist students from diverse backgrounds in obtaining their degree. In addition to a number of ALA scholarships, many library schools and regional library associations offer financial assistance. Many students receive support for their studies, please review the variety of scholarship opportunities listed below.

• ALA Spectrum Scholarship
  $5,000 scholarship for library school students, who are members of a principal minority group, admitted to an ALA-accredited library school.
• ASCLA Century Scholarship
  $2,500 scholarship for a library school student or students with disabilities admitted to an ALA-accredited library school.
• Additional ALA Scholarships
  Full listing of scholarships offered by the ALA.
• National Library Association Scholarships
  www.becomealibrarian.org/scholarships.htm
  Courtesy of becomealibrarian.org, list includes scholarships sponsored by national ethnic library associations and library specialty associations.
• Graduate School Scholarships
  www.becomealibrarian.org/scholarships.htm
  Courtesy of becomealibrarian.org, links to the scholarship information pages of library school programs.
• State & Regional Library Association Scholarships
  www.becomealibrarian.org/scholarships.htm
  Courtesy of becomealibrarian.org, provides links to the scholarships offered by various state and regional library associations.

A number of students supplement their coursework with an internship. The internship provides valuable real world experience, further financial assistance, and often times enables the students to try out an environment while gaining valuable networking experience. For more information about general and specific internship options, please review the following:

• University of Michigan SI Internship Finder
  www.si.umich.edu/outreach/internships-finding.htm
  Features ability to search the database by region.
• University of Rhode Island GLIS Minority Internship
  www.uri.edu/artsci/lsc/imlsgrant.html
  Grant from the Institute of Library and Museum Services will prepare librarians to work with diverse populations and to provide culturally sensitive information literacy instruction.

Exploring Career Options

From residencies to full-time positions, MLIS students beginning and completing their degrees should know that there is high demand to find diverse, qualified applicants to fill the variety of positions available today. Explore the websites below to find more information on residencies, library specialties and job opportunities.

• ALA Employment Resources
  Current job postings from American Libraries Journal and links to ALA Employment Sites.
• Library Job Postings on the Internet
  www.libraryjobpostings.org/
  Online list of jobs organized by position type and location, compiled by Sarah Nesbeitt, Booth Library.
• University of Michigan Career Services
  www.si.umich.edu/careers/
  Includes job database and employment links.
• Association of Research Libraries Career Resources
  www.arl.org/careers/
  Features online resources, a residency and internship database and a database for librarians to post their resume.

Getting to Know 21st Century Librarians

Get acquainted with your fellow librarians in the fast-paced, diverse and fun world of librarianship in the new millennium by exploring these sites for librarians, by librarians.

• Become a Librarian
  www.becomealibrarian.org
  Make a difference @ your library!
• Librarian.net
  www.librarian.net
  Just one "weird freaky librarian out there doing their thing and making the world of all library patrons just that much more interesting."
• Lipstick Librarian
  www.lipsticklibrarian.com
  She's Bold, She's Sassy, She's Helpful!
• New Breed Librarian
  www.newbreedlibrarian.org
  NewBreed Librarian is intended to foster a sense of community for those new to librarianship.

For questions about information appearing on this web page or for more information on any of the Office for Diversity programs, please direct comments to diversity@ala.org!

Visit the Office for Diversity home page.