Alternative LIS Career Resources

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Affelt, Amy. The Accidental Data Scientist: Big Data Applications and Opportunities for Librarians and Information Professionals. InfoToday, 2015. 240p. ISBN 1573875110.
Director of Database Research for Compass Lexecon, a global economic consultancy, Affelt is uniquely qualifed to help LIS professionals understand the big-data carer opportunity and the knowledge necessary to pursue it.

Dority, Kim. Rethinking Information Work: A Career Guide for Librarians and Other Information Professionals, 2d ed. Libraries Unlimited, 2016. 264p. ISBN 978-1610699594.
See especially chapter 4, Nontraditional LIS Career Paths.

Lawson, Judy, Joanna Kroll, and Kelly Kowatch. The New Information Professional: Your Guide to Careers in the Digital Age. Neal-Schuman, 2010. 200p. ISBN 555706983.
Although this book was recommended as a resource in Chapter 1, it’s also appropriate to note here for its wealth of job titles and descriptions that fall into the nontraditional category. This should be considered your starting point for exploring nontraditional LIS careers that entail working with/within organizations.

Matarazzo, James M. and Toby Pearlstein, with the assistance of Sylvia James. Special Libraries: A Survival Guide. Libraries Unlimited, 2013. 167p. ISBN1610692670.
Descibed as an advocacy book aimed at special/corporate librarians “who wish to retain their positions,” this excellent compilation of savvy strategies and tactics pulls no punches when describing the fragile position of many special libraries today. However, the authors are both highly respected for their always-perceptive analysis of the special library environment, and theirs is the advice that’s most likely to help you retain that position.

Palmer, Kimberly. The Economy of You: Discover Your Inner Entrepreneur and Recession-Proof Your Life. Amacom, 2014. 239p. ISBN 0814432735.
Side-gig, side-hustle,microbusiness…whatever you call it, having a sideline or some regular freelance work can be a great way to not only create additional income but also test out potential full-time career paths and/or build a launch platform for a Plan-B option should your current full-time job disappear.

Shumaker, David. The Embedded Librarian: Innovative Strategies for Taking Knowledge Where It’s Needed. Information Today, 2012. 240p. ISBN 1573874526.
The most current and comprehensive examination of the increasing trend for special librarians to become embedded in their organizations’ operational units. A must-read for those considering special librarianship as a career.