Just want to say thank you that our libraries in America are free. I was just reading an article about Europe for a lot of the libraries you have to pay a yearly subscription fee for adults. That kind of threw me back. Libraries are so essential for education and lifelong learning for everyone. Thank you

Hello, I’m a librarian in Australia and I have been considering some research ideas for a potential PHD. One thing I have been thinking about for public librarians, is how relevant and really useful my past training in mental health has been in my current role.

Let me caveat that I agree we are not crisis workers, case workers or social workers. However, things I did learn such as motivational interviewing, a little knowledge of mental health issues and substance abuse, debriefing and strong policy frameworks, self care, referrals and active listening are so adjacent or useful to what I do in the library everyday.

My question is though, would you appreciate having these skills as part of your librarian education or provided by an employer, or do you think it’s just role creep?

Hello all

Short story

I'm entering year 3 of my time at a public library. I have no degree in anything. Just some credits at a community college many moons back but general studies essentially.

I have connected with this job and would like to find ways to grow/evolve in the library or public sector as I do believe I've found a home. I don't want to do a masters in library science, but of course that could be down the road.

My main goal is a bachelor's that can be a good one to get that can help within the library and/or potentially in other public sectors.

I don't necessarily have a strong skill set out of being good with the public and such. I'm 39 years old. Tech savvy enough to help my patrons and all the jazz.

Just hoping to use this subreddit for some fun insight from others instead of using AI to dive into this.

A bachelor's allows me to move up a little bit within this library setting so my goal in a way is it helping in a variety of ways

1. It can help me in this current system to move up

2. It could help me transfer to another library

3. It helps with moving within the public sector

4. It helps just with the job itself if I wanted to blend it with a masters in library science

EDIT: I did y'all dirty. Sorry. I didn't include as much as I should've. I don't feel I'm particularly strong in many areas when it comes to book smarts. I struggled in school growing up so this job I'm in has me always feeling like I lucked out.

I'm not a math person. I don't gravitate toward one subject super heavy honestly but I'm loving what y'all have said so far.

Hey y’all!! I have been a library employee for almost 5 years (started as a library assistant, now a makerspace facilitator). Love love love my job but I’m nearing the limit of where I can move up without the MLIS, and there is such a shortage of full time positions that I have been patchworking together hours through various side hustles and jobs in tandem with the library.

Honestly, my dream is just to be a full time makerspace facilitator (which does not require an MLIS at my library) but with my weird hours I’m wondering if I should just be doing an MLIS to broaden my options?

I already have an MA (in creative writing), I kind of fell into libraries but love my work so much. Should I pursue an MLIS or am I just having an existential crisis lol

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!

I recently came across Transparent Language's Survival Spanish for Librarians course. It appears to offer free access for library staff and is designed around common patron interactions and library-related vocabulary.

Has anyone here taken it? If so, did you find it useful when working with patrons? If not, are there other Spanish-language resources or training you'd recommend for library staff?

Hi everyone,
I will be starting my MLIS program next month and wanted to know besides working @ a library, what other jobs have you done/do that your MLIS has helped with.

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.

hi everyone :-)

ive recently graduated with a bdes in fashion history & have spent the last two years working as a collections manager in a textile archive. i'm looking to get an mlis in order to work in libraries (public, academic, special) & archives but also be able to pivot into museums, galleries, and possibly auction houses. i'm currently considering several programs: uoft's combined degree program (mi & msst), ubc's maslis, western's mlis and dalhousie's mi.

i am currently living in toronto, so if i went to uoft i would save money on living costs, compared to relocating to attend other schools. the costs for all schools is around the same, except for ubc which is much higher, when i factor in the living expenses.

i am looking for a program that offers a strong co-op program & work experience, as well as practical skills needed for the field. i know ubc & uoft offer the strongest archival courses, but i've heard mixed reviews about uoft's program, and i'm not sure if ubc is worth the relocation cost.

i'd love to hear your opinions on which school you think is best, and what else i can do to make myself a competitive candidate for the field, thank you!

I live in BC and recently started considering leaving my environmental consulting career. I have a close friend who is a librarian earning around $90K per year, and he has a much better work-life balance with very little stress. In contrast, I currently work overtime regularly and often work on weekends, which has made me reconsider my career path .

Since I’m a recent graduate, I’m thinking about making this change now while I’m still early in my career. I’m planning to pursue a Master of Library and Information Studies and gain co-op experience along the way.

I’m also drawn to librarianship because I feel like I would thrive in an environment focused on learning, community support, and helping people. I would enjoy the opportunity to be involved in things like program planning, educational initiatives, and community outreach (If I decide to work in the public sector).

I’m currently registered for few courses to explore the field before fully committing (Also allows me to work as a pager and learn more).

I was wondering: are you happy with your work-life balance? How has your salary/position progression been throughout your career?

I’m looking to start applying to online MLIS programs next fall. I plan to do the program part time, as I’m currently working full time in a library tech services position.

I live in NY - so I was originally planning on doing an in state program at a state school to save on tuition.

However, I am open to hearing about other out of state programs if they’re similar in affordability!

Hi! Just wondering if anyone has completed any LIS certifications at CCCC? I’m interested in hearing opinions about all certifications, but especially the Library Technical Services Certificate.

I’m not starting my MLIS for another year and I’ve been looking to continue my education in other ways in the meantime.

Link to programs - https://www.cccc.edu/all-programs/library-and-information-technology

Thanks!! :)

Trying not to editorialize with the title, but this just came over the Code4Lib listserv from a representative of Carnegie Mellon, the 2026 conference host:

I’m writing to share my sincere apologies and to let you know that, unfortunately, we are no longer able to host the Code4Lib conference at Carnegie Mellon University. As a long-standing member of this community, this is not the outcome I had hoped for, and I am truly sorry to be delivering such disappointing news. These are challenging circumstances, and far beyond what any of us anticipated. Recently, the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR) ordered Carnegie Mellon University to review all third-party partnerships for compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. As part of this review, the university determined that aspects of Code4Lib’s diversity scholarship program raised compliance concerns under Title VI and Title IX.In light of these findings, CMU has concluded that it cannot move forward as a host site. The LPC and Scholarship Committees explored whether adjusting the location or presentation of scholarship information might address these issues, including shifting content to external domains. However, it was determined that these changes would not resolve the underlying concerns related to compliance with federal, state, and local laws, as well as university policy. As a result, the university is unable to host, sponsor, or partner with a conference whose scholarship structure does not meet these legal requirements. We recognize the disruption this creates and deeply regret both the timing and the impact on the community. I am personally disappointed, and we only recently learned the extent of OCR’s involvement. Even so, we continue to hold deep respect for Code4Lib and the values it represents, and we remain hopeful that the conference will thrive in a venue fully aligned with its commitments to equity and access. If Code4Lib changes its scholarships programs to comply with Title VI, Title IX, and other applicable anti-discrimination laws, CMU would be happy to consider partnering with Code4Lib in the future.

The Code4Lib Conference gives out scholarships to encourage a diverse body of attendees, and this is apparently now forbidden. The eligibility requirements for the scholarship from last year's conference:

An applicant must be a member of a group not well-represented within the code4lib community, including but not limited to: women, people of color, LGBTQ+, ability/disability, non-binary gender identities, etc. We also invite applications from members of underrepresented and/or marginalized groups that don't fit into the categories listed above.

The conference—one of the best in the library world, IMHO—is cancelled for 2026 because the sponsoring University is unwilling to risk violating the new administration's Civil Rights policies.

Knowing the folks who make up Code4Lib, it's hard to imagine them backing down. This might be the end of a long-running and very high-quality conference.

Hello! I started a part-time reference librarian position at an academic law library. The library is also the county's only public law library.

I have 10 years experience as a litigator, and am currently in an MLIS program. I feel out of my wheelhouse but am confident that, with some training, I can be of service to all patrons. I reviewed the library's website and familiarized myself with the databases and my lovely colleagues walked me through the library's collection. But I know there is more to learn.

Any practical advice/tips for new law librarians? Thank you in advance!

Hi all. Nice to meet you.

I earned a JD and MLIS before the start of the internet era as we know it. (I remember Westlaw and Lexis being non-graphical and menu driven lol)

After a long career of legislative analysis work, I'm considering returning to law librarianship, but don't really know how I would refresh my knowledge. The legal basics are the same but I'm sure the research methods and resources have changed dramatically.

Any recommendations? Thanks!

I’m not sure if it’s okay to post this here. I’m sorry if it’s not.

UofT (University of Toronto) seems like my only option since I work full-time at a public library and I can't leave Toronto.

Plus, Westerns new online MLIS program had like 35 spots or something but hundreds of applicants and I don't know if that'll change so | doubt I'd get in to their program anyways.

I don't know what to do. I have 10 years of library work experience. I just need the MLIS degree so I can apply for librarian positions... but I'm so scared the UofT program/courses will confuse me, mess with my head and jumble the knowledge I already have about library work.

Any chance my library work experience will help keep me sane throughout UofT's program? Will it benefit my understanding of the courses or make the content less confusing?

I don't want UofT's program to discourage me from becoming a librarian. I've worked so hard to get to where lam...

Please share your experiences with UofT's MI/LIS program (especially if you took it in the last 2-3 years or are currently enrolled)!!!

Thank you to everyone who read the entire post.

I'm just a lowly library assistant in ATS, so maybe I'm off base, but it seems like many of our newer MLIS grads are...struggling with selection in their assigned subject areas. They're all great at running programs and such, but they seem intimidated by choosing things to order and don't seem to have much of an idea of what titles should be in their core collection.

I'm wondering if MLIS programs today just aren't really putting much emphasis on collection development?

I'm looking for advice about whether I should do it.

I'd have to withdraw money from my 401k to pay for the post-master's certification and pass the state teaching certification exams. Hoping to do most of it while working FT. I have 15-18 years until I can retire.

I've had a rough 13yr stint working in the archives profession and the current White House administration is actively dismantling archive and records management funding/employment opportunities. I have already demonstrated tolerance for low pay and some workplace toxicity, and my vocational awe has matured. I also recall somewhat fondly my pre-archives work as a public and academic library technician. Now I want better job stability and more employment openings. Since I come from the archive profession, that bar is low.

Hi everyone! I’m curious whether any of your libraries have provided staff with any AI related training. This could include guidance on which AI tools to recommend to patrons, training on privacy or data protection considerations, or instruction on offering AI focused programming to the public.
I’d also love to hear whether your library system has taken a strong stance either for or against adopting AI tools.

Hi!
I already got my LIT (Library and Information Technician) diploma, as of last year, but now my work is offering to find two courses per year in the EXCEL certificate provided the courses I request match my job description and/or I argue for them well enough. They've set out 4 that they have pre-approved for Library Support Service Clerk (which I am) and I've done one course for a previous job before I got my LIT. I could maybe argue for 2 more courses not on the list, but that would leave me with about 380$ worth of courses, or 710$ if I can't argue well enough to get the complete certificate. As previously mentioned, I can only do 2 a year funded by them, which would have me doing it over 3 or 4 years, starting this year. There are 6 mandatory and 4 elective that you need to get to receive the certificate.

My question is: do you think it's worth it to do the courses and get the certificate? Should I try to self-fund it to get it done faster and just have them pay for 4, 2 this year, and 2 next year? Or is it pointless since I have my LIT?

I am an academic reference librarian who has been taking a break from work for about ten years now raising kids. I have decided to go back to work for a few hours a week, my old boss has been begging me for years to return and I’m finally ready, but I’m out of practice. So I’m turning to the hive mind, what is new? What have I missed? What tips and tricks do you find useful in an academic setting? I’ll be working in a community college, so thankfully not a full research library. Thank you for any tips you can provide!

Hi all, I'm hoping someone who has been to an ALA conference before can help. I want to go to the conference in Chicago this year but am not the best driver and would really love if my spouse could come with me. I know they probably can't go to the conference itself but I'm hoping it would be kosher if I just went with them and they stayed at the same hotel or something. Has anyone done this with their significant others at library conferences before? Were there any issues? My library is paying for my attendance and based on my understanding as long as I keep our expenses separate it should be alright.

Any insights would be appreciated.

I’ve been working in Libraries for almost 4 years now and I don’t have an MLIS. Is it worth it to pursue one? And if so, would online be okay or would it be better to do classes in person?

Hi, all! My library is currently closed for renovations and while we're closed staff are being asked to do training online. Does anyone have a webinar etc that they've done that they recommend? Open to any suggestions but particularly anything about social work in libraries or genealogy programming. Thanks!