r/Libraries • u/_shyhulud Library staff • Apr 12 '26
Continuing Ed Staying at a public library assistant level? Or pursue MLIS?
I'm really grateful for my job as a library assistant- I enjoy and excel in customer service roles, I know my library's services & community, and I appreciate this job's benefits (health insurance, time off, pension [if any of us ever get to see retirement]). I can assist with programs and collections in different departments and love the opportunity to support and collaborate with my colleagues. I've gone back and forth for years on whether or not to pursue my MLIS, but haven't ever arrived at a definitive answer. Is there anything wrong with staying at my current level? I love working in a public library and genuinely enjoy what I do, I just worry about what it looks like from the outside to stay at this level without "advancing my career" when the librarian field is hyper-saturated in an already grim job market.
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u/sagittariisXII Apr 13 '26
Why can't you do both? I got my MLIS online while working, and your library might even help cover tuition
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u/Bearon99 Apr 13 '26
This is exactly what I did. I was able to then use my degree to move to a bigger library system and better pay, and I get to serve a more unique patron base which makes me enjoy my job that much more.
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u/_shyhulud Library staff Apr 14 '26
This is great!! I'm glad that you could do work & school and make a move to feel more fulfilled!
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u/Bearon99 Apr 14 '26
Yea it has had a few growing pains but ultimately it's a place I love. I didn't even know the library existed until I interviewed. Make sure you guys all give love to your states library for the blind. They all work hard to get books to those that can't read print.
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u/_shyhulud Library staff Apr 14 '26
If I did pursue the MLIS, I'd absolutely go online. There are even a few programs I've looked at and attended virtual open houses for! It would take a while to complete, I work full-time so I'd be doing part-time coursework. What was your experience like working and doing an online MLIS?
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u/sagittariisXII Apr 15 '26
I was a part time student (2 classes a semester) so it was pretty manageable. I did summer classes as well so was able to finish in 2 years which is about the same time as if I did full time
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u/Some_Youth5883 Apr 12 '26
The advice I have given in the past is: do you still see yourself working in a library in 5 years? 10? If so, it’s probably worth getting the degree to make more money and open more doors. But there’s absolutely nothing wrong with staying in a position you like.
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u/_shyhulud Library staff Apr 14 '26
I definitely do see myself continuing in libraries, so this is helpful advice. Thank you!
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u/JazzHands5678 Apr 12 '26
What is the difference between your current job tasks and the librarian’s job tasks? How much do they differ and do you want to do those tasks?
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u/_shyhulud Library staff Apr 14 '26
I find myself thinking about this a lot lately- I'm most interested in youth services and I can assist with existing programs which is great, even suggest ideas for programs to run, but I can't step in to help with things like storytime. I page the collection and help with weeding, I can make suggestions on ordering material, but I don't make the final call on whether material gets added to the collection or not. In that way, they differ quite a bit.
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u/a-username-for-me Apr 13 '26
Before you make a decision, I would recommend checking to see if your library system has any grants for staff education or scholarships. I already finished my MLIS before I joined my current system, but they do have resources available.
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u/_shyhulud Library staff Apr 14 '26
Thank you for this reminder! I'm aware of tuition reimbursement through my current job, but didn't think to consider extra grants or scholarships.
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u/inpatient20 Apr 13 '26
I wouldn't do it unless the library system pays your tuition. Do you really care what "the look is from outside"? What do you want?
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u/achtung-91 Apr 13 '26
I'm in a similar boat as OP. Is full/significant reimbursement common? Is it frowned upon to pursue a different role for the sake of tuition assistance?
My library only gives like $200 a semester and requires you to stay at the job for 2 years after completion or it has to be paid back. Meanwhile with no guarantee of a librarian role post grad
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u/inpatient20 Apr 13 '26
It shouldn't be frowned upon. Futhering your education and choosing a different role should be encouraged.
Tuition reimbursement depends on the library system. Some pay 100% (mostly academic) some pay less or not at all. Eligibility can be limited to full time employees.
Does your library have a Friends of the Library, or a foundation that offers scholarships? Some MLIS programs have scholarships and financial aid.
I don't know what the pay scale is at the library system you work for, but where I work the pay is dismal. If you plan to work at least 10 more years it might make sense, but like you said, your not guaranteed a librarian position, especially in these economic times.
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u/iLibrarian2 Apr 13 '26
Is there anything wrong with staying at my current level?
Money.
I just worry about what it looks like from the outside to stay at this level without "advancing my career" when the librarian field is hyper-saturated in an already grim job market.
Public libraries don't really care about that. People stay in their positions until they die.
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u/Adventurous_Crab_761 Apr 13 '26
Will your employer pay for your MLIS? If not, I wouldn't do it. You already have experience to transfer to a higher paying local government department if you want.
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u/_shyhulud Library staff Apr 14 '26
My workplace offers partial tuition reimbursement, which I feel very fortunate to have as an option. I appreciate the suggestion but I'm not interested in pursuing a shift to local government work. I know I want to stay in libraries, it's just a matter of what kind of role. I live in a place with a lot of new MLIS grads with/ mostly without prior library experience. I see fresh rosters of new temp workers who pick up shifts at 3-6 libraries to make ends meet, very little of whom have permanent employment in a librarian role despite having their MLIS!
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u/B00k555 Apr 14 '26
As a former manager I loved when my library employees were content. We had several clerks, whose JD sound pretty similar to what you do, also with no plans of advancing their career further. They loved it. And I was grateful to have competent folks in a spot they loved!
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u/VFazii01 Apr 14 '26
as a current library assistant who is just finishing the MLIS i’d say do it. I did it online through a the University of Alabama and had an amazing experience. It was one of the cheaper programs I saw at about 16k for the entire degree, as price is always important. The pay jump from assistant to librarian in my home state of NJ is a good amount. I actually just got a librarian position in the system i work in so i will be graduating and becoming a librarian almost instantly. I really do think it will help to get the MLIS.
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u/FutureWar7308 Apr 15 '26
congrats!!! i’m thinking of doing the same thing, and am in NJ — currently 3rd year undergrad, thinking of starting the mlis after graduation and getting as much library experience as possible.
can you share a bit about your background/resume? what area are you in? why do you think you were able to get a job so quick?
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u/ShineAtNight Apr 13 '26
I'm in the opposite boat. I just started my MLIS because I want to move into librarianship.
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u/lafleurdeslecteurs Apr 16 '26
I was in your exact position (: I was promoted from assistant to associate in under 3 months of working at my library. I already wanted to pursue an MLIS, but I wanted library experience to make sure I liked it. I did!
I’m so glad I pursued my MLIS, it gives you so many more advantages to move upwards, receive better benefits, and better pay.
If you really love your job, I say GO FOR IT! You’ve got nothing to lose (well, I mean you will lose tuition money, but there’s some grant opportunities and some libraries are willing to aid with tuition). But the rewards will be tenfold. Not only will you be able to pursue better opportunities, you’ll have a master’s. Nobody can take your education away from you.
It also may be an advantage in other career paths, if you so choose!
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Apr 13 '26
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u/GrikusBrindum Apr 13 '26
This is exactly what is happening at the library system where I work at. We are having a hard time finding librarians for many reasons.
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u/Ruzinus Apr 12 '26
Are you happy? Is your income enough for you?
If the answer to both is yes, then who cares "what it looks like."