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Career Resources
This page provides an annotated list of books, articles and other resources on careers in LIS, with an emphasis on possibilities for alternative or non-traditional roles for information professionals who hold an MLIS degree. To add resources to this list, please contact Sharon Irish at slirish@illinois.edu.
Web sites
ALA Careers Web site - http://www.ala.org/ala/educationcareers/careers/librarycareerssite/home.cfm
Here you can find an explanation of different types of jobs in libraries, the core competencies, job searching, workforce trends and professional development.
Beyond the Job - http://www.beyondthejob.org/
This site is maintained by librarians Rachel Singer Gordon and Sarah Johnson. The content focuses mainly on professional development, job searching tips and career-related articles, including a recurring column titled: “Rethinking Information Careers”.
Books
Dority, G. Kim. Rethinking information work: a career guide for librarians and other information professionals. Westport, Conn.: Libraries Unlimited, 2006.
This book is rich in resources for planning a career in the field of library and information science. There are chapters that focus on more traditional careers – public, academic and school librarianship – with descriptions of job role possibilities, and a bibliography/Webliography of resources on traditional library careers. A section on the “non-traditional path” focuses on performing non-traditional roles within traditional library settings, library services outside of the library setting and creating your own position. Another chapter focuses on the “independent path,” explaining possibilities for contract work or starting your own research business, and how to get started on that path. The remaining chapters focus on career growth, planning and management. This book contains a lot of great resources for new librarians and career changers.
Gordon, Rachel Singer. What’s the alternative?: Career options for librarians and info pros. Medford, N.J.: Information Today, Inc., 2008.
The author focuses on looking for non-traditional library and information science-related jobs. The chapters explore jobs in organizations that serve libraries; organizations similar to libraries such as publishers, non-profits and government agencies; performing freelance or consulting services; starting an information-related business; and working in IT, management and other roles that fit with an MLIS degree.
McCook, Katherine de la Pena. Opportunities in Library and Information Science. McGraw-Hill, 2008.
This book is an overview of the library and information science field, with descriptions of responsibilities of different roles of library and information science professionals, including opportunities for work in non-traditional settings. There is also discussion of practical aspects of LIS work such as continuing education, job hunting tips, and salaries, tenure, retirement and other benefits.
Shontz, Priscilla K. and Murray, Richard A. A day in the life: career options in library and information science. Westport, Conn.: Libraries Unlimited, 2007.
More than 90 authors describe their unique jobs: what a typical workday is like, the pros and cons of different positions, how to find similar positions, and resources that correspond to those positions. The chapters are divided into categories by setting, industry or job type: public libraries, academic libraries, schools, special libraries, library consortia, publishing, associations and agencies, faculty, vendors and nontraditional.
Articles
Abramson, J. et al (2008). Voices of the future: next generation professionals speak. College & Research Libraries News 69 (5), pp. 262-263.
This articles reports on some findings from two focus groups conducted by ACRL with library students and new librarians on their interests, job preferences, work experience and reasons for entering the field of librarianship.
Jassin, M. and Moe, T. (2005). The flat track to new career options for information professionals. Online 29(5), pp. 22-25.
This article considers how globalization has changed the information economy and discusses the impact on careers in LIS. A job profile explores how telecommuting might be one model for how librarians and information professionals can compete with emerging labor trends.
Kim, K., et al (2007). Recruiting a diverse workforce for academic/research librarianship: career decisions of subject specialists and librarians of color. College & Research Libraries, 68(6), pp. 533-553.
This article discusses the need for information professionals with subject and cultural/ language expertise to provide better services to an increasingly diverse audience. Recent statistics shows a need to recruit librarians with subject specialties and diverse ethnic/cultural backgrounds, especially in academic libraries. Makes suggestions for developing recruitment strategies aimed at these two groups in order to meet demand.
McFadden, L. (2008) The Not-So-Dark Side: An Out-of-Work Librarian Becomes a Vendor. American Libraries, 39(9), pp. 47.
In this article an out-of-work corporate librarian shares her experience with having to make a career change after her position became eliminated. She discusses how her MLS degree helped her find work with a vendor and how her librarian skills have been helpful in her new position.