Master of Library Science for High School Media Specialist Jobs

Hello, my dear friends!

I hope this message finds you well. I was hoping I could ask you for your opinions on MLIS degrees. I have my heart set on going back for a second master's, but this time, in Library and Information Science. After six years of teaching high school, I have decided to possibly become a high school librarian. I wanted to go for the full MLIS, as one user recommended, since it might offer me more jobs in the future if I wish to close the chapter on high school.

I plan on going to Old Dominion University next year, Fall 2023, for my PhD in English. I deferred my admission to that time since I want to get my career in place before pursuing my doctorate. A wonderful user here recommended that I check out ODU's MLIS degree. It sounds like a wonderful idea! The curriculum seems rigorous and wonderful, exactly what I'm looking for.

I'm just worried because I live in New Jersey. Rutgers is about 30 minutes away from home, and they boast one of the top MLIS programs in the country. I guess I was just worried because I wasn't sure if I should have a top school if I want to make it in the library market. Rutgers can be quite pricey as well, but I would be eligible for tuition reimbursement at my job.

I'm also worried because I want to get the MLIS as soon as possible, and it looks like with Rutgers, I'd have to start in Spring 2023 whereas with ODU, I can start in 2 weeks.

Here are my main questions:

1. Does a name really matter anymore for a field like library science?

2. What is the market like for librarians in high schools and colleges?

3. Would it just be wiser to go to ODU since I'm planning on pursuing my PhD there anyway?

Thank you so much in advance, my sweet friends! Wishing you a lovely weekend!

 

1. For me, as a library director, no. Name does not matter. What have you done in the field, how long in the field, how can you help my team are questions I ask.
2. Yez, there are jobs in academia. You might have to travel. Go to the ALA website and look.
3. You could do a dual MLS and PhD at the same time. They might have that at ODU. I did a dual MA in History and MLS at North Carolina Central University. It was not too taxing. As Rich says, YMMV.

Just my thoughts

 

Thank you so much for your help, my friend! I think it's so wonderful that you're a library director!

 

For public school being certified will matter more than where you went to school in many cases. In many states, if you are not certified you will not get hired.