[DCRM-L] Off-topic: online library school program

[Mike Garabedian]

This may be off-topic the off topic, but I would just note that it seems
like especially for folks interested in working in/with rare books and
manuscripts and archives, the issue is yet where to get this kind of
experience. Though things have changed much since I earned my MLS way back
in 2005 -- or when I wrote http://rbm.acrl.org/content/7/1/55.full.pdf+html,
back in 2006 -- anecdotal evidence from friends and colleagues bears out
that in the main online or 'traditional' MLS programs still offer little by
way of training/instruction for special collections librarianship, so those
continuing education opportunities -- in addition to internships and
conference attendance, not to mention valuable paraprofessional experience
like the kind your colleague is racking up at the Folger -- continue to be
of paramount importance.

Yours,
MG
--
Mike Garabedian
Collections Management Librarian
Wardman Library, Whittier College
562-907-4859
mgarabedian at whittier.edu


On Fri, May 9, 2014 at 2:25 PM, Jennifer K. Nelson <jnelson at law.berkeley.edu
> wrote:

> Hi everyone,
>
> I am not a hiring manager where I work, but I wanted to second what Larry
> said, and the consensus that seems to be building in the responses: I think
> the trend is more and more towards online degree programs. The important
> thing is that the program is accredited. There are, of course, some
> particularly well-respected full-time "physical" programs that someone may
> choose to attend, but in general, I don't think anyone looks down on an
> online program - at least not anymore. I actually think that it is
> eminently sensible to do an online degree program while continuing to work
> full-time (you don't accrue student loan debt, you continue to do
> practical, professional work while in school, if you happen to be working
> for a library or cultural institution, etc.). I think online programs are
> great.
>
> Jenny
>
>
>
> On 5/9/14 2:01 PM, Laurence S. Creider wrote:
>
>> Deborah,
>> We tend to advertise entry-level positions in our department.  Our recent
>> experience has been that from 1/4-1/2 of the applications in any group are
>> from candidates with an online MLIS or equivalent.  If the decree is
>> ALA-accredited we don't make any particular distinction between online and
>> on-campus degrees.  From my point of view, someone who is holding down a
>> full-time position while doing a degree, online or on-campus, has my full
>> respect and gets good marks for commitment to the profession.
>>
>> What can be more important is whether the individual has pre-professional
>> experience in archival and/or special collections.  Someone with
>> pre-professional experience with special collections knows what the field
>> requires and has a track record of performance.
>>
>> We also pay attention to the internships of archivists.  Some schools have
>> excellent programs.  Internships or independent studies are not required,
>> but they often provide experience in reconciling education with practical
>> needs.
>>
>>
>> Larry
>>
>
> --
> Jennifer K. Nelson
> Reference Librarian
> The Robbins Collection
> UC Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall)
> Berkeley, CA 94720
> jnelson at law.berkeley.edu
> Tel: 510.643.9709
> Fax: 510.642.8325
> www.law.berkeley.edu/library/robbins/
>
>
>
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