Librarianship

JayC5

Hi,

I'm trying to get some info on pursuing a librarianship & if anyone can provide any info I would be truly grateful. I’m not sure if it's possible to achieve certification on a part-time basis - from what I can gather I would have to pursue an arts degree & specialise afterwards at post-grad level. Have I any other options other than this one?

Is it possible for e.g. to obtain a Ba in Journalism or Media Studies and then specialise in librarianship at postgrad? - I'm trying to keep my options broad and open as I'm returning to education as a mature student. However my main aspirations lean towards a Journalism, Media Studies, and Librarianship direction. Any advice at all would be great - cheers folks

BuffyBot

Most people go on to do a Masters in Library and Information Studies as a postgraduate qualification, and it can be done by distance - one example is http://northumbria.ac.uk/?view=CourseDetail&code=DTDILM6.

randylonghorn

The University of Aberystwyth have distance options as well, both undergraduate and postgraduate:

http://www.dil.aber.ac.uk/en/courses/courses.asp

JayC5

Thanks for the advice peops

Im not fond of the distance learning idea however, I feel more confident if I attend a regulated/part-time course - any advice on anything I might find in Dublin that will point me in the right direction?

One more question also, I found info on a H.Dip/MLIS in Library and Information Studies, a one year fulltime course in UCD - can you pursue a postgrad qualification from any degree faculty or does it have to be specific and related to the further field of study?

BuffyBot

Do you mean can you enter the post-graduate qualification with a degree in any field? If so, I'd doubt it. You should check with the faculty in question, they would normally be able to advise you on what they would normally look for.

randylonghorn

JayC5 wrote: »

One more question also, I found info on a H.Dip/MLIS in Library and Information Studies, a one year fulltime course in UCD - can you pursue a postgrad qualification from any degree faculty or does it have to be specific and related to the further field of study?

Most post-grad qualifications follow on from specific / related degree programmes. To the best of my knowledge, however, this one simply requires you to have a good standard degree level qualification, and preferably some work experience in a library / IS environment. If you think about it, it would be more useful in, say, an academic library to have librarians whose initial degrees are in a range of disciplines, as there will be a need to service a range of disciplines in the library.

Places in UCD are limited, and there is usually more applicants than places, so you are in a competitive environment. Read all material on their website carefully before contacting the school with any follow-up questions; you will not impress by rolling out a list of questions which the person answering you knows are answered on the website.

Chinafoot

If you do plan to go down the distancing learning route Aberystwyth is generally deemed one of the better courses.

I'll (hopefully) be starting in April

Good luck with it. Libraries are a great place to work!

wb

Hi JacC, I'm a qualified Librarian.

What type of library work are you after? Private? Public Libraries?

UCD is the only route to go if you want work in Ireland. For public libraries, it's the only recognised course anyway.

If you don't have a degree already, you can do it through a number of subjects including arts. I did a social science degree and included library and information studies as one of my subjects (3 years).

If you have a degree in something (can be anything, as long as its properly recognised in Ireland), you can do the one year post grad course in UCD which will suffice. There is an interview however, so some work experience (even voluntary) in a library would look good.

Kalikat

I'm also interested in pursuing a career in librarianship; I've been looking at the UCD course, and it seems that experience of working in a library prior to undertaking the course is a prerequisite. Understandable, really! Does anyone have any experience of voluntary library work? I'd definitely want to work off my rose-tinted assumptions about libraries before spending a year (and a lot of money!) doing a post grad.

Silly question: I know there's an Irish language requirement for public library positions in Ireland. Is there any sort of 'grace period' for learning the language (as there is for primary school teaching), or would I have to be fluent before applying for a CoCo library assistant position?

Thanks all!

wb

Kalikat wrote: »

Silly question: I know there's an Irish language requirement for public library positions in Ireland. Is there any sort of 'grace period' for learning the language (as there is for primary school teaching), or would I have to be fluent before applying for a CoCo library assistant position?

Thanks all!

The Irish language test usually comes with the interview. Depending on what local authority you go to, it can be strict or not. The local authority I work for basically got me to read a piece from a primary school book and explain it in English. I then had a basic conversation about my hobbies etc (It's very much like the Irish oral in the leaving cert).

It used to be a bit of a joke and everyone was passed, but that's changed recently because of the Irish language bill, where anyone has the right to use their language in a public building.

Generally, if you can hold a basic conversation - you should be ok.

Kalikat

Thanks for the information, wb. I guess starting out as a library assistant in a public library is a no-go for me - I'm a foreign national, and I think it'll take me quite a while to learn Irish, although I am attempting it. Gaeltacht, here I come!

eclectichoney

There are always the academic libraries (afaik the irish is not a requirement in this case), and there are also law/business libraries and information centres and the like. I've just applied for the MLIS this year (i.e. starting in Sept 08) so fingers crossed I get a place!

The work experience is vital though, don't even think about applying without having completed something or having something in place. I am doing a one year graduate trainee placement at the moment. A few of the libraries take on people like this, specifically before doing the MLIS, so voluntary work experience and the like need not be the case.

Chinafoot

wb wrote: »

UCD is the only route to go if you want work in Ireland. For public libraries, it's the only recognised course anyway.

It's the only course *available* in Ireland but not the only recognised course you can do. As I've already mentioned there is the option to gain the qualification through distance learning at both Aberystwyth University in Wales and Aberdeen in Scotland.

The course in UCD hasn't been around as long as the Aberystwyth course and the latter still holds an enormous amount of weight in Irish public libraries. Why would local authorities pay for library staff to complete this course if UCD provide the only recognised qualification?

Kalikat wrote:

I guess starting out as a library assistant in a public library is a no-go for me - I'm a foreign national, and I think it'll take me quite a while to learn Irish, although I am attempting it. Gaeltacht, here I come!

You most definitely don't have to be fluent. I would suggest going to some classes and trying to gain enough for a basic conversation. In my interview I had a short Irish oral where I was asked about my town, my holidays, my family...things like that. Once you don't completely bomb you'll be fine.

Splendour

Hi guys,

have just been reading this topic as am interested in Librarianship also.
As a mature student and a separated Mum, UCD or any other college is not an option as the funds won't stretch that far!
There is however a FAS course, the 'Allen Library' course, which I've heard about. This is a 48 week full time course and would give me an assistant Librarian qualification. Can anyone advise as to whether or not this is recognised by Libraries-public or private.

Thanks.

Chinafoot

Splendour wrote: »

Hi guys,

have just been reading this topic as am interested in Librarianship also.
As a mature student and a separated Mum, UCD or any other college is not an option as the funds won't stretch that far!
There is however a FAS course, the 'Allen Library' course, which I've heard about. This is a 48 week full time course and would give me an assistant Librarian qualification. Can anyone advise as to whether or not this is recognised by Libraries-public or private.

Thanks.

I haven't heard of that course myself but that doesn't mean much

In public libraries the hierarchy goes like this:
Library Assistant (grade 3)
Senior Library Assistant (grade 4)
Librarian (Grade 5 professional, as in qualified, and an admin role where the grade 5 doesn't hold a library qualification)
Senior Librarian (grade 6)
Senior Executive Librarian (grade 7)

Haven't come across any Assistant Librarians. Perhaps it is different in the academic libraries?

To be honest though, if you do want to get into the libraries your best bet would be to get in as a grade 3 and work your way up. Getting a library qualification won't make you a librarian, at least not in the public libraries, you still need to be appointed to the position and that will require experience.

randylonghorn

Chinafoot wrote: »

Haven't come across any Assistant Librarians. Perhaps it is different in the academic libraries?

Aye ... Asst. Librarian is often the lowest grade of qualified / professional librarian.

E.g. hierarchy in one academic library I am familiar with goes:

Library Assistant
Senior Library Assistant
________

Asst. Librarian II
Asst. Librarian I
Sub-Librarian
Deputy Librarian
(University) Librarian


Probably varies slightly from institution to institution ...

Splendour

Thanks guys, that's given me some food for thought...

skydancer

Hey folks

UCD options in the School of Information and Library Studies are:
- undergraduate - Degree with a Major in Information Studies (new route under the modular system replacing the BSocSc pathway that existed previously) - includes modules necessary for professional recognition + students need to arrange the min. 6wks work exp. during their degree
- postgraduate - GDLIS or MLIS - now also available p/t as well as f/t (the min. 6wks work exp is a prerequisite)

wb

Chinafoot wrote: »

It's the only course *available* in Ireland but not the only recognised course you can do. As I've already mentioned there is the option to gain the qualification through distance learning at both Aberystwyth University in Wales and Aberdeen in Scotland.

The course in UCD hasn't been around as long as the Aberystwyth course and the latter still holds an enormous amount of weight in Irish public libraries. Why would local authorities pay for library staff to complete this course if UCD provide the only recognised qualification?


.

Hi Chinafoot, that's interesting. Are you working for a local authority?

I'm pretty sure the application and advertisement for my local authority specified the UCD course, but I'm open to correction.

Chinafoot

wb wrote: »

Hi Chinafoot, that's interesting. Are you working for a local authority?

I'm pretty sure the application and advertisement for my local authority specified the UCD course, but I'm open to correction.

Hi wb,

Yep I'm working for a local authority at the minute and will be starting the course through Aberystwyth in April. A number of colleagues have already achieved or are in the process of achieving this qualification through the welsh university.

According to the Library Council of Ireland there are 3 UK colleges providing the qualification, which is recognised here, through distance learning. They are Northumbria University in Newcastle, Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, and University of Wales in Aberystwyth.

Perhaps the UCD course was mentioned in the ad but I gravely doubt it was specified as the only acceptable qualification for applicants to possess. I can't imagine they'd be allowed specify such a thing.

randylonghorn

I suspect it may have said "UCD

---

or equivalent", tbh.

I know at least two people in local authority libraries who have been encouraged by their senior staff to do the MLIS from Aberystwyth in recent years, so would agree with Chinafoot that it's still very well regarded.

wb

I actually digged the ad out (I saved it on my pc):

Candidates shall on the latest date for receipt of completed applications for the office subject to the provisions of paragraph (b) below;

(1) hold the Diploma in Library and Information Studies of the National University of Ireland, or have satisfied the examination and thesis requirements leading to the Fellowship of the Library Association Ireland, or possess an equivalent qualification,
(2) have at least two years satisfactory training in or experience of library work,
(3) possess a sufficient knowledge of Irish and English to enable him/her to perform the duties of the post in both languages,
b. the requirement of (a) (1) above will not apply in the case of an existing holder of a post of Librarian in a Local Authority of the State.

I assume 'equivalent qualification' in this case means the distance courses then. Cheers for clearing that up for the OP

Sils

Hi Folks,

This is the Administrator in the School of Information and Library Studies here in UCD. Just to reiterate what has already been stated; we are currently running courses at both Undergraduate and Postgraduate level.

At Undergraduate Level, you can major in LIS by taking either the Bachelor of Arts (DN012 Arts Omnibus) or the Bachelor of Social Science (DN007). If you take a 30 Credit Major in Library and Information Studies with ourselves for either of these degrees, you can receive professional accreditation from the Library Association of Ireland. Please see here for more details; https://myucd.ucd.ie/program/program_info.ezc

At Postgraduate Level, we offer the Graduate Diploma in LIS and the Masters in LIS. Both of these would be a taught postgraduate qualification. The Grad Dip starts in September and ends the following May, and students take part in classes, complete assignments and take examinations. The MLIS runs from September to September. Here, students also complete a thesis, which is done during the summer after exams are finished. These two courses receive professional accreditation from the Library Association of Ireland.

We also offer MA, MLitt and PhD Courses to Postgraduate students. These are all Research courses of various duration.

Please feel free to email me if you have any queries. You can email me at Sils@ucd.ie.

Kind regards,

SILS

Astrid_f

Splendour wrote: »

Hi guys,

There is however a FAS course, the 'Allen Library' course, which I've heard about. This is a 48 week full time course and would give me an assistant Librarian qualification. Can anyone advise as to whether or not this is recognised by Libraries-public or private.

Thanks.

Hi,

Just spotted this now and wanted to reply - the Allen Library course doesn't give you any qualification at all. Only to work in a library - and sure you can do that off the street.

The only way to gain a librarian's qualification is either via UCD or one of the distance learning courses.

wb

wb wrote: »

The Irish language test usually comes with the interview. Depending on what local authority you go to, it can be strict or not. The local authority I work for basically got me to read a piece from a primary school book and explain it in English. I then had a basic conversation about my hobbies etc (It's very much like the Irish oral in the leaving cert).

It used to be a bit of a joke and everyone was passed, but that's changed recently because of the Irish language bill, where anyone has the right to use their language in a public building.

Generally, if you can hold a basic conversation - you should be ok.

I know this is a very old thread, but according to this piece in the Irish Times, the requirement that librarians in county libraries should speak a basic level of Irish has been dropped recently. The new recruiting arrangements make no reference to an Irish language requirement it seems.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/government-scraps-demand-on-librarians-to-speak-basic-irish-1.2817168

ofosuf

so to work in a public library there is the need to learn the Irish language

OwaynOTT

ofosuf wrote: »

so to work in a public library there is the need to learn the Irish language

No, not really. I've done the irish interview and did very poorly in it but it accounted for very little of the overall marks.

Now having said that, another authority had the first round of interviews being the irish interview and you had to pass that to move on but then again to pass you need very little irish.