Library career research

Hi Kim!

I noticed in your comment that you only asked for academic and public libraries. Do not forget "special libraries", including government libraries and corporate libraries. These are significant hiring sources in the library world too. The positions that you can get in these libraries with an MLIS or an MISt are not only "librarian" positions, but also policy analyst and research positions. These positions can have broad impacts on the general public too, though in different ways than public and academic libraries.

There are also a number of jobs that you can get with this degree in public and academic libraries. In the realm of public libraries (not limited to the GTA), different position postings that I have seen include Children's Librarian, Youth Services Librarian, Adult Services Librarian, Outreach Services Librarian and Social Media Developer. In the academic world job postings, I have seen Collections Librarians, and many which are have reference services as a focal point. There is also always a place for cataloguers and technical services specialists in both areas.

In all libraries, it is a STRONG advantage to have a high degree of technical/computer literacy.

Addressing your second question about volunteering and job shadowing. I highly recommend volunteering for the OLA at the Forest of Reading and at the OLITA Digital Odyssey if possible. These were such interesting conferences, and provided a great forum for networking and for learning about the profession. About job shadowing: I recommend calling up different local public and academic libraries to see whether or not this is permitted. If you are a recend undergraduate student, I know that the University of Toronto Career Centre provides an Externship experience program that is wonderful. 

Whatever you end up deciding, I hope that my explanation shows that there is no one clear role that encompasses everything that a librarian/library degree can accomplish.

Tina Dolcetti MISt, Hon. B.A.