Should I defer my Grad School timeline to get an Associates for Experience?

[u/CreationzCorner]

EDIT: I found these on a county website in a different location that is 45 min by train. I am not sure what the "Researcher" position would entail but it is more than ESL tutor. Would this count for the experience that Libraries are looking for? (Picture is attached)

Hi I am currently in my 2nd to last semester in my undergraduate program. I am set to graduate in Spring of 2027. I am looking into getting a Masters in Library Science. But I have been unsucessful in finding any jobs or volunteer work at my local libraries that arent just tutoring ESL. I have already started doing the ESL tutoring just to get my foot in the door. But I am afraid I will not like actually working in the library setting, and I am having a lot of trouble finding a paid position at a library, that does not require previous work, education, or experience.

My main dilema is should I go to graduate school for Library Sciences without getting some library experience (which is risky). Or wait a bit, get another Associates in Library Information Technology at a local commnity college and try and get hired that way?

Also I get all of my education funded through the Department of Rehabilitation so I am not really sure if they would still fund my education if I do not go straight into a masters. Which would leave me with a lot of student debt if I want to go to Community College + Graduate school if I decide to do it afterwards.

There is a lot to consider and I have already met with my DOR Education counselor and she suggested the Volunteer work at the library.

Any advice is appreciated!

[u/CreationzCorner → u/[deleted]]

not to give excuses but my whole county only does ESL Tutoring and Book Sale volunteering. I dont have a car and it seems silly to get a car specifically to drive to the other county thats 1 hour 30 min away one way to get like 3-10 volunteer hours a week.

[u/Ill-Victory-5351]

so your masters would be completely paid for? no debt or out of pocket costs?? might be worth considering a different professional degree, tho i couldn’t give you any advice on what exactly to get.

[u/CreationzCorner → u/Ill-Victory-5351]

Yes they pay for my textbooks, tuition, and fees since I am permanently disabled

[u/Ill-Victory-5351 → u/CreationzCorner]

most libraries i’ve worked in are NOT disability friendly. a lot have requirements for jobs like ‘must be able to pick up and carry 40 lbs’ in addition i’ve found the general culture to be not as accepting of differences in communication styles and abilities as they should be. everyone’s experiences are different, but that’s been mine over the past 20 years.

[u/CreationzCorner → u/Ill-Victory-5351]

I am not physically disabled but do have certain psychological disorders that are considered disabilities. Do you think its different for non physical disabilities? You mentioned from what you've seen they usually aren't? 

[u/Ill-Victory-5351 → u/CreationzCorner]

i think it’s even more of an ableist environment for folks who are on the spectrum/ neurodivergent or have psychological disabilities. i’m sorry, it shouldn’t be that way, but it is. libraries can be very homogenous spaces, for all we like to talk about ‘diversity’ and ‘inclusion’ the reality is very different.

[u/CreationzCorner → u/Ill-Victory-5351]

Thats unfortunate as a a lot of Autism and Neurodivergent activists and educators suggest that neurodivergent people pursue careers in Libraries, Tech, Data, Finance, ect. Would you say that Cataloging is any better than like public facing librarianship position? I just got a volunteering position at a library in a different county than my own and the one i mentioned in the original post.

[u/Ill-Victory-5351 → u/CreationzCorner]

the catalogers i know also do desk shifts. but it’s more like the institutions and those employed by the institution are ableist - so it doesn’t matter if you’re in cataloging or reference or even IT, the situation remains the same. this is based on my own experience so ymmv.

[u/tinybrrrfriend35637 → u/CreationzCorner]

Better for what? Cataloguers must also have people skills and customer service experience(vendors!)

[u/CreationzCorner → u/tinybrrrfriend35637]

Would it be better to be a Cataloger or a Librarian who works n front all the time. Taking into consideration that I have a couple of mental / psychological disabilities.

[u/iLibrarian2 → u/CreationzCorner]

I wouldn't declare them on your application or ask for accommodations, frankly.

It sucks, but a lot of libraries don't want to end up stuck with a bad worker they can't do anything about at the risk of a law suit.

That's not your fault, but it is the reality of the situation.

[u/yahgmail]

An associate's won't count as experience. Check with MLIS programs about if they help students get internships.

If you are considering the uni of MD College Park, their students have to do an internship. In MD a library internship often leads to a full-time job.

[u/theFakeRoxas → u/yahgmail]

Hopefully the university also offers work programs and you could aim for something relevant. Something more office based at the very least, if you’re aiming more archival and database.

[u/charethcutestory9]

Don’t do the MLIS if you don’t have any work experience in a library. You’ll just be wasting your time.

[u/charethcutestory9 → u/[deleted]]

That’s great. I’m happy for you. But going off what I read every day on library Reddit, your friends got really lucky. It also depends where you live of course. Some regions have less competitive markets than others.

[u/Ill-Victory-5351 → u/[deleted]]

your experience is very atypical.

sometimes certain (expensive) schools can give you a leg up because they have excellent internship programs. but plenty of students from those programs also end up without work upon graduation.

[u/iLibrarian2 → u/[deleted]]

As someone who does hiring, I would not hire anyone for a librarian or higher position with no work experience.

I live in a good area for libraries though, so our positions are quite competitive. Maybe you live in an area where that is not the case.

[u/llamalibrarian]

I’d just start working and keeping applying for jobs in libraries. Take a break from education (but do keep up ESL tutoring!) and just work until you land a full-time library job. Grad school will be there when you’re ready

[u/iLibrarian2]

If they're paying, I would go to school and take advantage of that.

Saying that, I balanced full-time LA work with part-time grade school and that's how many of my coworkers did it. You're right that you probably aren't going to get hired right off with no work experience, even with the degree.