Librarian Stuff: My Advice To New Library School Students

Congrats to all the future librarians starting library school this year! You're in for a professional career that can pretty much be whatever you want--pursue a Ph.D afterwards or combine your studies with another graduate program or launch into the professional world--despite the stigma, a research degree is extraordinarily valuable.

I started library school straight from undergrad--in the Fall of 2008 and finished Spring 2010. I'd say I had a pretty successful run--I mostly stayed out of debt with the help of scholarships and a graduate assistantship, combined my MLIS with Health Communication, had a paid 3-month fellowship right after graduation, and a permanent librarian job within another three months. Just in time to pay those pesky student loans. These are my tips to new library school students:

1.) Please, please, please get work experience in a library during library school. Whatever you can find, even if it's volunteering, will help enforce what you're learning and prove to future employers that you're capable of a certain level of work.

2.) Considering the above point, create a list of goals you want to your position to teach you. Unfortunately, some library school students get lured into completing projects in which they learn nothing. If you're going to do volunteer work, have clear parameters and objectives and lay them out to your 'employer' on day One.

3.) Whatever work you decide, complete 1-2 major projects to showcase. This is probably easiest for work in digitization or archives, but can also be done with reference work. Just use a bit of creativity.

4.) Try to sample more than one library environment. There are quite a few library types, some drastically different than others--Public, Government, Academic, Law,  Medical, etc. You will likely be able to at least volunteer for the types that interest you, if you reach out. Use your library school faculty to help you figure things out, if necessary.

5.) Following the previous point, build relationships with your professors. They're experts that know their stuff and are usually eager to help. Plus, they're well connected. If they know your interests they can direct info and contacts your way.

6.) Find a mentor. Like a professor, they're experts in the field with good connections and sound advice. Try to find someone established in your area of interest. This person should have at least an hour a month to set aside in mentoring you.

7.) Get paid. There are lots of financial opportunities for library students. Start by checking out ALA, SLA, MLA, ARL, and your local library orgs. Also, look for fellowships and graduate assistantships at your university.

8.) Start looking into post-grad opportunities now. Graduation might seem far off, but it will be good to know about and already be prepared for opportunities. The Congressional Research Service publishes this great resource for government positions. I highly suggest the PMF program.

9.) Have access to a good computer with decent internet speed, and a decent flash drive. You'll be doing lots of reading, writing, coding, and downloading.

10.) Get your customer service skills ready--patience, kindness, understanding, good communication. At its base, librarianship is about making other people happy--whether you're helping write grants or find articles. Prepare to work with a variety of personalities--lots of group projects and such.

Hope this helps! Have fun :)