Published: September 18, 2024 by Aryn Prestia

A majority of students in the MLIS program here at the iSchool are already working in library environments. Yet without an MLIS degree, the only positions available to students are typically Library Assistant, Circulation Aide, or Library Page. As you get closer to graduation and begin thinking about the next step in your career, what does it mean to take that jump from assistant/aide/page to librarian?

Often, the biggest difference is compensation. Library aides and pages are in a much different compensation tier than librarians because different skillsets are required. But it’s unlikely that the instant you receive your hard-earned MLIS you will get that compensation bump and receive that prized Librarian title. So how do you make that transition?

Let’s say you are currently a Library Assistant and you’re just about to complete your MLIS degree. You want to make the move to Librarian. What now?

Library System vs. stand-alone library

First, you must consider the library where you are currently employed. Is it part of a larger library system or is it a standalone location?

The reason why this makes a difference is because both environments offer different potential benefits and constraints.

For example, working for a library system could provide more opportunities but a less clear path. There may be openings but with off-site HR representatives, you may not know about them.

On the other hand, working for a stand-alone organization can typically mean fewer opportunities but there can be a clearer, more established pathway, or at least people who are more easily accessible to answer your questions.

Stay where you are or move to another library?

Your second consideration involves deciding whether to stay where you are or consider a new employer. If you plan to stay within your same library system or library, it’s important to connect with HR right away to see what the path and/or policy is for moving up. Policies can vary dramatically from library to library. For example, at the San Jose Public Library, an MLIS degree is required for anyone hoping to qualify for a Librarian I position. According to the city’s HR department, there are “no acceptable substitutions.” At this library system, even a current employee pursuing an MLIS may only apply for a competitive promotion once they attain an MLIS degree, which would allow them to meet minimum qualifications for Librarian I.

However, at Orange County Public Library Systems in Florida, the requirements are more flexible. “We do encourage staff to pursue higher education and allow them to apply for roles with a degree requirement if they are within 1 year of completion of that degree. That policy applies to all roles with a degree requirement, but we most often see it utilized when a staff member is moving from a circulation clerk or similar role to a librarian title” says Jo Charles, an HR representative for OCLS. “We also offer a scholarship fund sponsored by our Friends of the Library that is offered to employees who take courses that will lead to an MLIS or MBA degree, or technology courses that will lead to a technology degree.”

Though it may seem intimidating at first, contacting HR to let them know about your career aspirations can allow you to access benefits that you may not otherwise have known existed.

What if there are no open positions in your library system?

Even if you love where you work, it’s possible that your employer won’t have any open positions when you’re ready to go for the promotion you deserve. In that case, you’ll most likely need to look elsewhere. Fortunately, there are several library-specific job sites online to help you start your job search.

The more detail, the better! You can even build off what the platform has provided for you by acknowledging which elements make sense and asking additional questions. As an example: “I like the emphasis placed on my youth-focused coursework, but what are some other words I could use to describe my interest in working with children?”

Whether you choose to stay or look elsewhere, SJSU wants to help you achieve your career goals. If you’re interested in receiving more personalized feedback to your unique situation, consider connecting with an iSchool Career Advisor. 

I’d like to extend a huge thank you to representatives from SJPL and OCLS for answering my human resources questions.

Two More Things!

Don’t forget to keep up to date with job openings on Handshake, here are a few that might be of interest!

• Reformatting Projects Librarian – University of Houston, Houston, TX  
• The Met Fellowship Program – The Metropolitan Museum of Art – New York, NY

Also, remember that internships can be an especially valuable part of your learning experience at the iSchool while also helping you when it comes time to look for jobs. Learn more about the iSchool’s internship program here, where you can check out the INFO 294 Student Handbook as well as the Internship Sites database.