MLIS (Masters in Library and Information Studies)

saraocallaghan

Hi,

I'm thinking about doing this course in September. Can anyone tell me what it's like?

Thanks,

Sara!!!

parker kent

saraocallaghan wrote: »

Hi,

I'm thinking about doing this course in September. Can anyone tell me what it's like?

Thanks,

Sara!!!

Hey I did it last year. It is not too difficult but it is a lot of work. It is more of a test of endurance than anything really. I did have the benefit of being in UCD for my degree and doing Info Studies as one of my subjects. It does have the reputation as being an easy subject, but that would be more the modules in 1st year that anybody in UCD can take as an option. In general most people (myself included) thought it lacked practical aspects that librarians would need in their job. The people that wanted to become librarians said there was too much of a focus on the academic info studies side, and the academic people doing MAs said it focused too much on libraries. So really the modules are a bit stuck in the middle of the road, keeping nobody happy

But it was enjoyable enough, I met lots of good friends and it is all about getting the qualification at the end of the day. There are some changes to the department this year (new head of school joined) so there could be some differences to my experience, especially next year when she has had a year to assess everything. There have been a few similar posts here over the last year so if you search for MLIS on the boards search engine you will get a few more replies from before.

Overall I am glad I did it. I really wanted to work in libraries. If you have no library experience make sure to arrange your experience soon. Not sure if that answers your question, but feel free to ask any other specific ones you have and I'll try to answer them!

saraocallaghan

Thanks very much for your reply. I'm actually doing my work experience now and really enjoying it! You've finished the course, so what's it like to find jobs? (the important question!!!!)

parker kent

Not great really. The people who didn't already have a job waiting for them are finding it tough. One of my biggest gripes was the large class size. We had about 70-80 when you add MLIS and GradDips together so thats a lot of people for not that many jobs given everything going on at the minute. Seemingly Canada is one of the few places still hiring regularly.

Realistically the chances of getting a public library position is fairly slim for the time being. Though it will be 2011/2012 when you graduate so it may be different then. Your best bet is to look in private sector libraries like in law firms, companies etc. Sorry for the negative answer but the truth is it is very tough!

But if you are like me, I will put up with that because long-term I know I want to end up in a public or academic library, so I don't mind a few years getting any job I can. As long as it is information related in some shape or form I see it as being good experience.

saraocallaghan

Thanks for that. I dont know anyone doing the course so this is the only place I can ask! Any information, whether good or bad, is gratefully received. I'd rather know all the gory details! It'll be 2011 when I graduate, hopefully, but I am prepared to bugger off to get a job, I'd probably prefer it!

Handsome Bob

parker kent wrote: »

and the academic people doing MAs said it focused too much on libraries.

You said it brother. It doesn't help that the department are cutting back on the modules relevant to the MA either. Alas, I just keep telling myself that I signed up to do my thesis on an area that really interests me, so I guess that will keep me content.

To answer your question OP, I'm doing the MA this year so I'm sharing a lot of time with the MLIS students. From what I gather it is a very demanding course, practically and academically speaking. You'll be doing a lot of collaboration with other students too so it would be good for you if you had good interpersonal skills.

That being said, one would expect any Masters to be difficult so don't worry. Most of the students seem to enjoy it and as far as I'm concerned the practical element added to the course has been a success because there's nothing like knowing you are actually learning something that you can use in real life.

As for me, I think I'm going to demand that I'm awarded with the MLIS, christ knows that I'm basically doing the course even though I signed up for the MA. :pac:

eclectichoney

LZ5by5 wrote: »

You said it brother. It doesn't help that the department are cutting back on the modules relevant to the MA either. Alas, I just keep telling myself that I signed up to do my thesis on an area that really interests me, so I guess that will keep me content.

:

Interesting. Which modules have they dropped? When I did it I thought they had a pretty decent choice in that respect.

Handsome Bob

eclectichoney wrote: »

Interesting. Which modules have they dropped? When I did it I thought they had a pretty decent choice in that respect.

They dropped Legal Information from Semester 1, and Publishing Practice has gotten the chop from Semester 2. Basically, my modules are made up of MLIS modules (I wouldn't mind, but they only give us a very limited choice of which MLIS modules we can pick), and modules from the Info Studies degree that I hadn't picked when doing the actual degree.

PrinceMax

Interesting. I've also applied. I only have 6 weeks' work experience though. Did anyone get in with this much? I know it is the bare minimum? Also, when I was in Trinity, the Library used to employ students to do shelving for 10 euro an hour. Is it the same in UCD? Basically, does doing the MLIS guarantee some part-time work in the college library? I'm just trying to figure how I'll finance it, if I'm accepted.

parker kent

Yeah plenty only had 6 weeks last year, I assume its still the same. Class sizes are going up in UCD as well, not down so its easier to get in. I guess they figure they can do with more people paying them 5 grand

Part time work was there for a handful of people last year but it was not connected to the course. Not everybody that had the shelving jobs were doing the MLIS or GradDip either. I was told this year that there was no chance of getting any part time work in the library due to cutbacks. It might be different next year but I wouldn't bank on it. Better to try bookshops etc

saraocallaghan

I only have the 6 weeks work experience too. I think it's enough cos they'd ask us to have more if they wanted us to. Have you applied on line? What did you think of the online application process? I'm trying to fill it in at the moment.

I don't know about doing part time work in the college libraries. I know the county librarian who I'm working with worked part time in DCU when she was doing hers. I was thinking about how I was going to finance it myself. €10 an hour is very decent.

PrinceMax

Yeah. The online application process was pretty straight forward. Worried that I didn't say enough though. Hopefully there will be a few library shelving jobs this year. What were the hours like last year, Parker? Could you perhaps post what your timetable was? I'd love to get more of an indication as to what it is like. Is it mostly lectures or seminars?

PrinceMax

Oh, and I submitted my application last week. How long in general to hear back?

saraocallaghan

Yeah not saying enough is my biggest fear too. Oh well, we can only put in as much as we think is relevant.

parker kent

I had about 12 or 13 hours per week, basically the same as doing a subject in an Arts degree (Information studies is a subject in an Arts degree fyi ) I don't have the exact timetable to hand at the minute but 4 hours a day would be the maximum class time, often below that. I even had Wednesday off in semester 1.

You have to do 60 credits worth of classes, some are worth 5, some 7.5. So the handiest way to do that would be 30 per semester. Typically that means you will be doing 5 or 6 modules. All modules had 2 hours class time per week which are lectures. Seminars are not usually held for the classes, well not for us anyway!

saraocallaghan

Thanks for all your advice and information Parker! Nice to hear the details from someone who's just finished the course!

PrinceMax

Can anyone who has done this course before tell me if there are modules on digitization and digital libraries? Also, does archives come into it? I understand there are dedicated archives courses, but does the MLIS touch on it?

parker kent

Yeah we had a digital libraries module last year. The lecturer has since retired so I don't know who does it now, but they will have one. There is a module MLIS and Grad Dips can take in Archives that is taken by a lecturer from the archiving department. There will be archiving students in there too but SILS students are graded differently. It will give a basic knowledge of archiving, if that is all you want to know.

PrinceMax

Thanks so much for the info.
I'm liking the sound of this more and more. I'm worried because I haven't heard back yet. When are offers sent out? My application is in a few weeks.

parker kent

I was accepted in the summer, check when the deadline for applications is this year. Chances are you wont here back from them until then

parker kent

PrinceMax wrote: »

Thanks so much for the info.
I'm liking the sound of this more and more. I'm worried because I haven't heard back yet. When are offers sent out? My application is in a few weeks.

Not to rain on your parade either, but whilst the eventual job of librarian is something to look forward to, there will be plenty of times in the modules when you are frustrated and wondering what point there is to what you are doing. So some modules sound good, but are often not so. Most 12 week modules suffer from that problem, so it is not just a SILS thing.

Lots of people (myself included) saw a lot of the course content as irrelevant, whether you wanted to end up as an academic or like me, as a librarian. So I recommend it overall, but with plenty of cautions.

Ever2010

saraocallaghan wrote: »

I only have the 6 weeks work experience too. I think it's enough cos they'd ask us to have more if they wanted us to.

The more experience you have the better, jobs in this area are very difficult to come by in Ireland at the moment. When you complete the course if you only have the bare minimum work experience you are competing against some of your classmates who have a couple of years library assistant experience, and people like myself who have worked on contract as a librarian for the last two years, plus 3 years as a library assistant and 4 years as a bookseller!

With the public sector recruitment ban here at the minute it's terrible looking for work in this area - but things will have to change (fingers crossed!). And it is a great job.

Best of luck!

marge2007

Hi, I was just wondering, has anyone got an offer for this course yet? Diploma or MA.

Marge

PeterIanStaker

PrinceMax wrote: »

Can anyone who has done this course before tell me if there are modules on digitization and digital libraries? Also, does archives come into it? I understand there are dedicated archives courses, but does the MLIS touch on it?

Yes there is a module on digital libraries, doesnt focus specifically on digitisation more on projects but still worth a look. archives courses arent part of the MLIS they're a different ball game, have a look at the school of history & archives website

PeterIanStaker

PrinceMax wrote: »

Thanks so much for the info.
I'm liking the sound of this more and more. I'm worried because I haven't heard back yet. When are offers sent out? My application is in a few weeks.

I heard back early april, it could be different this year though.

parker kent

PeterIanStaker wrote: »

Yes there is a module on digital libraries, doesnt focus specifically on digitisation more on projects but still worth a look. archives courses arent part of the MLIS they're a different ball game, have a look at the school of history & archives website

We did a module on archives last year, did they stop MLIS and grad dips doing that? Would be surprised if they did that as people from my class even went so far as to have the archives lecturer as a supervisor.

PeterIanStaker

parker kent wrote: »

We did a module on archives last year, did they stop MLIS and grad dips doing that? Would be surprised if they did that as people from my class even went so far as to have the archives lecturer as a supervisor.

I'm not sure but I'll check

Impassive

I'm interested in this course, at a slightly earlier stage of commitment though, given that I'm still just researching it and have yet to apply. I don't have any experience in a library though, and no idea how to go about getting that. It says on the site that you can apply and get the experience afterwards, but if everybody else applying has experience that doesn't give me much of a shot... hmm...

How did other people here get their work experience? Do the public libraries take on people on a temporary basis? Or do I just go to academic libraries and ask if they'll let me in? Thanks.

marge2007

Hi,

I know I posted this already, but I'm just wondering, did anyone get an offer for this course yet?

PrinceMax

Yes. I got one about two weeks ago.

marge2007

That's great news PrinceMax. You must be pleased! I got accepted to the Diploma. Are you doing the MA or the Diploma?

PrinceMax

Thanks. I hope you enjoy it. I'm doing the MLIS, which is the master course, but I think that is different to the MAs they have too.

marge2007

Yes, I think they have a Masters in Information Studies as well. I hope you enjoy the course too.

Handsome Bob

PrinceMax wrote: »

Thanks. I hope you enjoy it. I'm doing the MLIS, which is the master course, but I think that is different to the MAs they have too.

Yes, MLIS students are treated like the A team by the department, the MA students are treated like the Z team.

Walls

If you haven't received an offer, can you say if you've received any acknowledgement of your application? If you have, contact the person on the email - offers should be made much more quickly with the new system. If you haven't heard, maybe some documentation is missing from your application and its on hold...

PrinceMax

Tell me, those who did it last year, - what was writing the thesis like? Was there much guidance from staff?

vicecreamsundae

i'm applying for this masters this week [and just crossing my fingers i haven't left it too late to be considered]. I don't have my six week experience yet [well i did two weeks work experience in transition year, but nothing to back it up haha] and a 1.1 BA Liberal Arts.

sort of confused with the online application though. if anyone has anything to add to my following queries, i'd appreciate it! i get really paranoid about applications that i'll interpret something wrong and mess up!

-the part that asks you about your 'career intentions'. how personal or formal should this be? and how detailed or how many words? honestly, i don't have an extremely clear idea apart from knowing i'd like to work in an academic or public library. would it be [in]appropriate here to elaborate on what i believe to be the importance of libraries in the community etc? would that just be seen as waffle? should i mention particular areas i'm interested in such as history or women and gender studies??
also, part of my motivation for doing this course is to work as a librarian in canada..is that something i should mention or again, just irrelevant?

-the two references i have so far are both academic, my old psychology and media lecturers. the application asks for one reference who can comment on my employment history...but all my previous jobs have been in retail -is that going to look bad, or does it not matter so long as the employer has positive things to say about my work ethic etc.?

-really confused with the self assessment form. do i print this out and mail it, or just edit it and upload it back to them?! it looks really messy, and when i'm honest, my score doesn't look particularly impressive...are most people generous with this?

sorry for all the questions, i am probably reading too much into it all, and should just send it off stat, but like i said, i just really don't want to make a big faux pas.

thanks for any help or other tips you can give me on this!just hate applications. i really want to get this finished in the next day or two [been procrastinating for ages and panicking a little now that i see some of you have offers already! congrats to those who do by the way!

parker kent

PrinceMax wrote: »

Tell me, those who did it last year, - what was writing the thesis like? Was there much guidance from staff?

I more or less had no help. Despite my hardest efforts (plenty of emails, phone calls etc) we didn't speak after April last year (Until 7 days before deadline day when he said he wouldn't have time to read any draft...I sent that email 1 month before the deadline). So over the entire summer I was left to my own devices. So I wasn't exactly happy with the situation. I would really, really emphasize the need to talk as much as you can with supervisors during term time, as they seemingly disappear into the abyss during the summer.

Other people's experience varied, some had great supervisors whilst others had similar to my own. The worst part of the supervisor experience is that you have to make contact with the supervisor first and get them to agree to being your supervisor. Other courses I know off make students give in a proposal and then appoint supervisors accordingly.

Of course this might be different now given the changes in the department.

PrinceMax

Parker, Thanks again for your advice.

Obviously the jobs market isn't good, but I still want to do this, as I'm looking for library work in the long term. But, aside from library work, is there anything else you can get out of it, while you're looking for the real deal? Someone suggested information architect. Or, would you be overqualified for library assistant positions, or general administration positions. Basically, are MLISs valued by any groups outside the library profession?

I only have 6 weeks' experience, but I'm hoping to get some more before I start. Concerned that I'll be coming out of the degree in 2011 to another unemployment spell.

PrinceMax

Also, is the UCD course CILIP accredited? It's no longer listed as being so on the CILIP website.

reddan

Howdy all,

I was wondering if any one who got offered a place in any course with the department of information studies got any email correspondence prior to their place offer. It's jus that I applied via a deferred application from last year and haven't heard anything at all yet?

PrinceMax

reddan wrote: »

Howdy all,

I was wondering if any one who got offered a place in any course with the department of information studies got any email correspondence prior to their place offer. It's jus that I applied via a deferred application from last year and haven't heard anything at all yet?

I got an email to tell me I had an offer. That's all. Didn't know you could defer a place? Is that on the MLIS? I've already paid my deposit but If work came along, I'd love to defer until next year, as I'd have the money to complete the course without borrowing.

eclectichoney

PrinceMax wrote: »

Parker, Thanks again for your advice.

Obviously the jobs market isn't good, but I still want to do this, as I'm looking for library work in the long term. But, aside from library work, is there anything else you can get out of it, while you're looking for the real deal? Someone suggested information architect. Or, would you be overqualified for library assistant positions, or general administration positions. Basically, are MLISs valued by any groups outside the library profession?

Eh... as a so-called 'qualified libraran' I'd kill for a library assistant post - that would be a typical MLIS grad job even in the good old days. These days, there are no LA posts, no shelving posts, nothing.

You'd need a compsci degree to be able to work as an information architect I imagine.

parker kent

eclectichoney wrote: »

Eh... as a so-called 'qualified libraran' I'd kill for a library assistant post - that would be a typical MLIS grad job even in the good old days. These days, there are no LA posts, no shelving posts, nothing.

You'd need a compsci degree to be able to work as an information architect I imagine.

+1000!

It is very, very hard to get any library related job these days. I also don't understand why DBS are starting a similar course now when UCD has one with 70+ graduating every year. In 5 years time maybe, but it seems like a lot of people for the 5-10 max positions available in the country that are in any way library related.

PrinceMax wrote: »

Parker, Thanks again for your advice.

Obviously the jobs market isn't good, but I still want to do this, as I'm looking for library work in the long term. But, aside from library work, is there anything else you can get out of it, while you're looking for the real deal? Someone suggested information architect. Or, would you be overqualified for library assistant positions, or general administration positions. Basically, are MLISs valued by any groups outside the library profession?

I only have 6 weeks' experience, but I'm hoping to get some more before I start. Concerned that I'll be coming out of the degree in 2011 to another unemployment spell.

The information architect thing I imagine relates to when SILS did a module called information architecture a few years ago, I think it ran for 2 years. I did it anyway in the final year of my degree back in sunny 2004!

Although you might also be referring to an information officer. Some companies have those.

reddan

PrinceMax wrote: »

I got an email to tell me I had an offer. That's all. Didn't know you could defer a place? Is that on the MLIS? I've already paid my deposit but If work came along, I'd love to defer until next year, as I'd have the money to complete the course without borrowing.

Sorry about the delay in getting back prince max. I only deferred my application, I wasn't offered a place. Last year I hadn't got the requisite work experience so I was advised by the school to defer my application and obtain the work experience in the mean time. I think that was because they'd recieved a huge amount of applications in light of the 'downturn', alot of civil servants decided to give it a lash for the year.

PrinceMax

When you guys say it is tough for work, do you think there are opportunities for graduates in the UK? To be honest, I'd prefer to find work elsewhere anyway.
I have to say, I'm having second thoughts about this now. The last thing I want is another extended period of unemployment. I'm only doing this in the hope I'll be able to get off the dole queue. I've been unemployed since finishing my BA. I've already paid a deposit for the course though, but I guess, no point in borrowing money to do a course that might only offer me the chance to be an even better educated dole recipient.

dmigsy

Just finishing this myself this year. There are no jobs here and very few in the UK.

eclectichoney

PrinceMax wrote: »

When you guys say it is tough for work, do you think there are opportunities for graduates in the UK? To be honest, I'd prefer to find work elsewhere anyway.
I have to say, I'm having second thoughts about this now. The last thing I want is another extended period of unemployment. I'm only doing this in the hope I'll be able to get off the dole queue. I've been unemployed since finishing my BA. I've already paid a deposit for the course though, but I guess, no point in borrowing money to do a course that might only offer me the chance to be an even better educated dole recipient.

There are jobs in the UK alright (try lisjobs net) but you have to remember you'll be competing with *lots* of people with *lots* of experience, so unless you already have a good solid 3 years (at a min.) experience, there is not really any point in applying imo.

Handsome Bob

I think the MLIS has value, not so much the MA. They tried to give the MA a clear purpose this year by adding the "pathway to Publishing" schtick, however due to cutbacks that has been a huge failure IMO. I wouldn't worry too much about the job prospects in regards to the MLIS, you are learning a lot of practical skills in regards to how Libraries work so you will find *something* eventually. He may how to endure about of working for free before you nail down a paid position but hey, it's the ends that matter.

I'm just glad I got a grant for the MA, otherwise I would have been paying €5000 for nothing.

V480

LZ5by5 wrote: »

I'm just glad I got a grant for the MA, otherwise I would have been paying €5000 for nothing.

Sounds great! I'm doing an MA and didn't get the grant...

parker kent

LZ5by5 wrote: »

I wouldn't worry too much about the job prospects in regards to the MLIS, you are learning a lot of practical skills in regards to how Libraries work so you will find *something* eventually.

I wouldn't call it a practical course. I know the MAs see SILS as library student oriented, but believe me so much of what I learnt there was more or less irrelevant to real world libraries. A few of the modules (Teaching Librarian especially) are very good, but there are many, many pointless aspects to it.

I guess it is practical in that you get a professional qualification, but only do it if working in a library is what you want. I'm far from alone in thinking like this about the course too. It is what you do to become a librarian, so it has to be out up with, but it could do with an overhaul. It is not that it is an awful year, just that like most academic subjects, lots of what you learn has no real world value.