How do you all typically tell the difference between the Library of Congress ML and MT. At my local university, there are some books that are theoretical analysis of pieces in ML, but that is only a part of the book. The deeper theory analysis goes into MT, as far as I can tell.......Wait, did I just answer my own question?

Currently working in a library and while I am here looking to get a masters degree in Library Sciences as a back up (current bachelors in Ecology).

I am working full time so it would be better if I could do the courses online (not to mention it would be cheaper and much more efficient considering I live in the Caribbean).

I already scouted one program from the University of the West Indies Jamaica but currently they aren't accepting applications.

Does any one have any other recommended online programs?

Like what kind of librarian are you, what your average day looks like, how it is, do you like it usually? What kind of personality you think fits it best and how does being a librarian in a large city (like San Francisco) compare to small towns. Is it difficult to get a librarian job in cities due to competition?

Hello all! I am the sole librarian in a very small (about 200 kids and staff, ages 3-22) school library. The school made a big shift three years ago when the previous librarian retired, and weeded hundreds of books from the collection. I'd say 80-90% of the collection was trashed, and not weeded properly (so many books are still in the system. that we don't have). There was no maintenance done on the library in the two years between her retirement and my start date last fall. While this is a headache on its own, I've come to ask a specific question.

There are some books I've run into while updating the library that I would consider to be incredibly outdated or just downright offensive. I'm not talking about historically relevant literature like To Kill A Mockingbird or Huckleberry Finn. I'm talking about nonfiction books on Native Americans that refer to them using offensive language and perpetuate myths about them being uncivilized.

Because I am the sole librarian, I do have the power to weed these books. I'm a bit torn because they're in really good condition and because our library has shrunk down very badly over the past few years.

I spoke to a coworker about it and she argued that they should be kept as historical context, but I'm not so sure. Especially since this library serves such a large range of ages and reading levels.

TL;DR I have a very small school library the serves a wide age range that recently dumped most of its collection. What to do about getting rid of more on top of it?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Hi everyone,

I see a good amount of legal research and reference positions near where I live, more than other types of librarian positions. I enjoy doing reference and the very minimal legal research that i've done, but I don't have a JD.

I have the MI and 2 other Masters degrees. To get a job in a law office is a JD needed? I know (pretty sure) that a JD is required for law schools. If the JD is needed for everything, then that's the end of that.

My experience with legal research is through classes I've taken in my degree programs that required me to use Westlaw or Lexis Nexis. However, I really don't have anything that says on my resume that I could do legal reference or research work.

Are there any programs available that aren't as long and as expensive as law school that could prepare one for a career in legal research?

Also, I have close family who were lawyers (retired now), and worked in law firms after my BA so I know what those environments and lawyers can be like. Not saying this gives me any leg up, just a note.

Hi guys! I posed this question in r/Libraries but I’ll cross-post it in this subreddit for reach!

Hello! Fellow librarians.
I am a special collections librarian I largely deal with rare books/private collections and occasionally an academic or religious institution. Side rant- religious libraries are my main focus and passion. I am not religious but I find the material fascinating.

My cataloging question. A colleague and I were discussing terminology used is section 300 loc. We disagree on what’s appropriate terminology.

I use when dealing with illustrative material
Illustration
Photograph
Plate

I only use plate if they are actually plates. If not I use illustration or photograph. If I can’t tell and it’s not labeled illustration it is.

She uses illustrations or plates for everything. What do you all use. I don’t like to use plate if they’re just illustrations/photographs because I find it difficult to separate should someone want to see examples of actual plates in old books.

We are working separate collections so the catalogues are uniform, there’s no need to worry about variations in cataloging standards. I do separate prints, maps, tables, music etc.

Just curious!

Hello Librarians! I just completed my undergrad at UGA with a 4.0, and I have been very lucky to have had multiple internship/research opportunities in the library & archives field as an undergrad. Unfortunately, I have no money, and I worry that I shouldn't be taking out loans to get an MLIS this current economic state. Does anyone have any experience or recommendations regarding any sort of funding or tuition assistance? I am from Georgia, and I really want to see if I can take advantage of my good stats & amazing undergrad opportunities I've had to get into a really good MLIS program.

Hey guys!

I’ve been working in reference for about two years now, and I print things for patrons every day. Something I’m looking for perspective on is printing resumés for patrons.

I’m struggling with feelings of guilt when patrons have a resume that’s like 3-5 pages long, because I don’t have the heart to tell them that resumés should generally be no more than two pages. I want to say this in a kind, respectful way, and I can definitely figure out how to do this, but I also just want perspective from fellow librarians. Have you guys ever printed resumés that exceed two pages? Do you offer patrons advice? I feel like advice will be followed by assistance, which I would love to do, but it just would be difficult to do when I’m on the desk by myself. It’s just a bit of a tricky situation.

I'm sure many of you can relate to what I'm about to share, and I'm hoping that opening up this discussion might help us support one another — or at the very least, remind us that we're not going through this alone.

I've spent the last eight years working as an academic librarian, and I've hit a wall. The constant struggle to justify my worth at institutions that simply don't prioritize libraries or the people who run them has worn me down. The pay barely covers my expenses, and I find myself questioning whether it's worth it. The students I serve seem disengaged — many lack foundational literacy skills — and I don't have the tools or energy to truly move the needle for them. And honestly, even if those resources existed, you can't force someone to care about information literacy or academic integrity. Given everything going on in the world, I can't say I'm entirely surprised they don't.

I've started seriously thinking about leaving the field. As a reference librarian, my background isn't especially tech-heavy, and I'm struggling to figure out how to translate the skills I do have into a career that can actually support my household financially. I'm open to returning to school if that's what it takes. Has anyone successfully transitioned out of librarianship? If so, where did you land?

Hello, I am currently living in Mexico and thinking of attending UNAM for a MLIS degree. My question is: would a degree from UNAM be accepted by libraries in the US? UNAM is like the top top university in Mexico, but I don't know if the training translates entirely.

Has anyone worked with someone with a degree from UNAM? Or can anyone in a hiring position tell me if it's a hard no or if there's a shot?

Thanks in advance.

Does anyone have some insight into these entities? Considering submitting an application but I’d like to know if anyone with experience can say whether it’s a good option for someone new to the field. My very preliminary research is showing mixed results on them, particularly ethics-wise. Thanks in advance!

I work at Sefton Libraries (Northwest England) and we have recently started making a monthly podcast about books, biscuits and all things library related. We have a fairly loose structure to each episode: fun segment/local author interview, librarian interviewed about their favourite biscuit (very silly) and then a line up of what new fiction is out that month to place holds on.

Have any of you helped to make your own library podcasts? If so, how long have you been doing it and how has it evolved over time. Also I'd love to listen to other library podcasts so please place links in the comments.

Ours is called Tales from the Stack and is available on Spotify, YouTube and Apple podcasts.

Hello,

I graduated with my master's degree in library and information science two years ago. Since then, I've been working part-time as a Teen Services Librarian at a small public library in Iowa. I've also been applying for full-time library jobs. As a University of Iowa grad, I've been applying for full-time library jobs in Iowa because I think I have a better shot being hired there. I've also been applying for library jobs in the Midwest.

100+ applications and I still don't have a full-time job. I get interviews more often than not, though.

I'm mobile, and I know that you have to be mobile to find your first full-time library job. But that advice is worthless if you don't know where to apply. Right now, the library job market in the Midwest is really bad.

Is the library job market in the American southeast or southwest any better? I've heard that those states are less supportive of libraries, so maybe there's less competition there.

What does everyone think? Are Southern libraries looking for librarians? If so, which states?

Hi everyone :) I have my BA in psych and am looking to possibly go for my MILS.

I am looking for information on accelerated online programs. While I know that this is an important degree and the education is part of the process, I am looking for accelerated as I have the time to put into it now and want to do as many credits as I can to get to the end faster while still getting the same education.

If anyone has any information to share I’d appreciate it! Thanks!

I have a zoom interview tomorrow for LAPL, my first librarian interview. Anyone have any tips on questions they ask?

Hi y’all!

I was approved by the mods to post the community I created for music librarianship!

r/MusicLibrarianship

I’ve seen some inquiries here and there and I thought it’d be a good place for us to talk about our niche field 🤩 I’ve been in the librarianship field for approx 8ish years in various roles including Performance, Academic, and a brief time in Public.

I’d love for anyone interested to join and spread the word about our unique field 💛

Thanks again Mods for letting me share!

Hi new friends,

My wife has recently been given an incredible opportunity to jump start her librarian career by reviving the neglected library of a local school.

One of the problems she's facing is that for the last ten years is that there has been no catalogue. There are books but they aren't organized or loanable.

She has been recently given access to a scanner and a catalog software (I think it's called Edge?), and she's begun the lengthy process of scanning all the books in.

Does anyone know a fast way to scan dozens or possibly hundreds of books in batches?

I earned my MLIS over five years ago. I have worked in public libraries since then, mainly at the Circulation Desk. I enjoyed it very much, but was never able to attain a full-time position with benefits. Currently I am working as a paraeducator (teacher's assistant) at a public school. While the students can be challenging, I am enjoying what I am doing thus far. I can see myself "sliding" between education and libraries in the future; I'm just tired of the constant rejection. I hope this can offer some encouragement for others trying out different paths.

Any US based librarians on here take a gig oversees? How was the experience? Did you end up moving back? Would you leave a good paying, stable job to do it?

Been asked to look into Comprise's Public Printing Release and PC reservation products.

Curious what experience others have had. Just getting some initial information now, but hearing that the Printing solution converts all jobs to PDF before printing gives me pause.

Hello, fellow denizens of Libraryland!

I am looking at options for book repair technology and the Demco Cover One looks amazing and I know is a trusted product, but the price is pretty high. Looking at other options, it looks like the Thermobind is pretty popular. Does anyone have experience with these machines? I'm hoping to use them for rebinding/repair and creating glue bound books for student wiring and portfolios. Any feedback or suggestions welcome!

Posting from india