INFORMATION/LIBRARY SCIENCES …

                                  INFORMATION/LIBRARY SCIENCES
                                       What can I do with this degree?
                   AREAS                              EMPLOYERS                       STRATEGIES

ACADEMIC LIBRARIES
Service to Faculty and Students        Universities and colleges     Earn a master's degree in library or information
Reference                                                               science from a program accredited by the Ameri-
Circulation                                                             can Library Association (ALA).
Technical Services                                                   Any bachelor's degree in liberal arts is good prepara-
   Acquisitions                                                         tion. Classes in communications, foreign
   Cataloging                                                           languages, business management, computer
   System Automation                                                    science and statistics can be helpful.
   Indexing/Abstracting                                              Related undergraduate degree is useful when
   Archiving                                                            working with particular specialties such as art or
Special Collections                                                     agriculture.
Media Services                                                       Develop excellent computer skills.
Teaching                                                             May work one-on-one with students and faculty or
Administration/Management                                               teach and present seminars. Others may work in
Research                                                                more technically-oriented positions such as
Publishing                                                              systems design or database management.
                                                                     .
                                                                     Gain experience in business and management to
                                                                        work in administration.
                                                                     Work part-time in a college or university library to gain
                                                                        relevant experience.

SCHOOL LIBRARIES AND MEDIA CENTERS
Teaching                               K-12 Schools                  Many states require a master's degree in library
Administration                            Public and private            science and a specialty certification. Some states
Technical Services                     Public school districts          also require teaching certification or student
                                                                        teaching in a library/media center.
                                                                     Work or volunteer experience related to children
                                                                        and teaching is useful.
                                                                     May help teachers develop curricula, prepare lesson
                                                                        units, team teach or provide staff development.
                                                                     Collections usually include non-print media; media
                                                                        center may house computer labs.
                                                                     Become familiar with various technologies and develop
                                                                        strong computer skills.
                                                                     Learn to work both independently and with groups.
(Information/Library Sciences, Page 2)


                   AREAS                                  EMPLOYERS                                      STRATEGIES

PUBLIC LIBRARIES
User/Reader Services                     Central libraries                              Develop a broad liberal arts background and earn a
   Reference                             Library branches                                  master's degree in library or information science
   Information and Referral Services     Library services to jails, retirement homes,      from an ALA accredited program.
   Youth Services                           hospitals, etc.                             Take many computer courses. Should enjoy working
   Special Collections                   Bookmobiles                                       with new technology.
Technical Services                                                                      Some librarians specialize in a particular subject
   Acquisitions                                                                            area, such as government collections or technol-
   Serials Management                                                                      ogy, or a particular type of materials, such as
   Collection Development                                                                  maps or photography.
   Cataloging                                                                           Creativity, a flair for drama, a positive attitude, and
   System Automation                                                                       an enjoyment of children are important for those
   Archiving                                                                               working in youth services. May coordinate
Administration                                                                             events and plan programs for youth of all ages.
                                                                                        Take courses in child development and psychology.


SPECIAL LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION
CENTERS
  Medical                                Large hospitals, medical schools               Earn a master's degree in library or information
  Legal                                  Law firms, law schools, bar associations          science from an accredited program.
  Corporate                              Large corporations                             Most positions require a bachelor's degree in a field
  Government                             Industrial and scientific collections             related to the collection topic, e.g. business,
  Science/Technical                      Research labs                                     science, art, etc. Some require graduate degree
  Arts/Music                             Local, state and federal government agencies      in the field. Many law librarians have the Juris
  Communications                         Nonprofit organizations                           Doctor (law degree).
      Publishing                         Public libraries                               Knowledge of foreign languages may be required in
      Newspapers                         Colleges and universities                         certain fields.
      Telecommunications                 Art schools                                    Special collections librarians generally have interests,
      Advertising and Marketing          Museums and art institutions                      skills, and knowledge related to collection.
                                         Galleries                                      May work with particular populations in special
                                         Historical societies                              libraries, e.g. lawyers or doctors.
                                         Publishing houses                              Develop skills in research and a solid background in
                                         Advertising and public relations agencies         information technologies.
                                         News organizations and electronic media        Special collections exist on a countless array of
                                         Picture services                                  topics, not all are included here.
                                         Motion picture studios
                                         Television stations
                                         Trade and professional associations
(Information/Library Sciences, Page 3)

                   AREAS                               EMPLOYERS                          STRATEGIES

INFORMATION SYSTEMS/TECHNOLOGY
Design/Development                       Libraries                         Professionals involved in information systems help
Management/Operation                        Public, academic and special      organizations with the storage, retrieval, and
Database Administration                  Data processing centers              management of records or information and
Computer Support                         Corporations                         incorporate and support information technology
Network Administration                   Research centers                     into an organization.
Programming                              Government                        An undergraduate degree in management informa-
Systems Analysis                         Universities                         tion systems (MIS) or computer science is the
Training                                                                      preferred background before earning a master's
                                                                              in information science.
                                                                           Build a strong computer background in program-
                                                                              ming skills using several languages, various
                                                                              operating systems, database management,
                                                                              software and networks.
                                                                           Increase employment opportunities through product-
                                                                              related certification or by earning Certified
                                                                              Computing Professional (CCP) status conferred
                                                                              by the Institute for Certification of Computing
                                                                              Professionals. CCP's must pass an examination
                                                                              and meet various requirements.
                                                                           Gain related experience through internships, co-ops
                                                                              or part-time employment.
                                                                           Develop excellent written and oral communication
                                                                              skills. May work with technical and non-technical
                                                                              staff.
                                                                           Learn to work well on a team.

INFORMATION SERVICES
                                         Information service agencies      Provide information research and services to
                                         Research centers                     corporations, writers or individuals needing
                                         Self-employed/consulting             information or references on a particular
                                         Large corporations                   subject.
                                                                           Develop excellent research, writing and organiza-
                                                                              tional skills.
                                                                           Expertise in an industry or subject area may be
                                                                              helpful.
                                                                           Supplement undergraduate curriculum with courses
                                                                              in business to gain an understanding of market-
                                                                              ing principles.
(Information/Library Sciences, Page 4)


                   AREAS                                                         EMPLOYERS                                                        STRATEGIES

ELECTRONIC PUBLISHING
                                                            Database producers                                                 Create and distribute publications in electronic form.
                                                            Distributors of electronic publications                            Develop writing skills through classes in English,
                                                            Electronic publishers                                                 journalism or technical writing.
                                                            Self-employed                                                      Learn advanced website design and programming.




GENERAL INFORMATION

· Qualifications important to the field include the ability to work well with people, good written and oral communication skills, intelligence and curiosity. Research and
       computer skills, an eye for detail and a general love of learning are also essential.
· Understanding trends in media, computers/technology, and publishing is important to success in profession.
· Virtually any undergraduate degree can offer good preparation for graduate programs.
· Supplement undergraduate curriculum with courses in communications, media, computers, business or technology. Some areas of information or library sciences
       may require related bachelor's or master's degrees.
· Choose master's degree programs in library or information science that are accredited by the American Library Association to maximize employment opportunities.
· A doctorate, either Ph.D. or DLS, may be required for research and university teaching in information science programs or to reach the highest levels of library
       administration.
· Currently most library science professionals work in school and academic libraries, but employment opportunities are growing most for information scientists in
       settings such as corporations, consulting firms and information brokers and in environments involving information on the Internet.




                                Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.   (1998, Revised 2003)
                                                           UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Employer