MLIS (Masters in Library and Information Studies)

escargotbleu wrote: »

Really glad I found this thread! Loads of good advice - and great to hear from people who have actually done this course!

I'm starting a nine-month internship in a public library soon and I can't wait...despite my reservations about Job Bridge. I think it'll work for my particular circumstances.

I was planning to apply for the MLIS in UCD up until the fees and maintenance grant for post-grads got cut this week. Now a tiny part of me is actually starting to see the positive side of this; If I have to pay fees and support myself anyway, I'm no longer limited to Ireland. I'm interested to hear more opinions on the UCD course versus those in Aber, UWE etc.

Thanks!

All the best with your internship-you'll get vital experience which is fantastic. I did the course in UCD-some elements were great, some not so great but I got a good overview of the field. My 6 week vol work exp led to a part time lib assistant job while I was at college, which then led me to getting a librarian post in the private sector when I finished so don't give up hope! I know I am one of the lucky ones but some of my classmates got library-related work, some internships, some paid. Experience was crucial in every case so take it when you can.

The course in Wales is highly respected in the field and some manage to do the distance one while working.

Good luck!

Has anybody out there done the MLIS Part-Time? If so, is it possible to hold done a job doing the course over the two years? Also, are the F/T and P/T lecture and tutorial classes mixed together or separate?
Cheers.

Yeah, I start the part-time MLIS in Sept. Looking forward to it!

AthloneTown wrote: »

Hi seventyeight, I'm interested in doing the part time mlis next year, can you let me know how many hours per week you have and how they are assigned please? I'm from AthloneTown so I'm wondering if it's a case where I have to commute one day per week or is it more, weighing up if I should do distance learning?. Any information on the timetable would be fantastic thanks x

The UCD MLIS timetable is doable part-time but it's not an evening course and there's no option for distance learning. If you PM me your email address I can send you the timetable so you can get an idea of how the modules are offered. Most of the modules are spread out so may be able to do it by coming up for, for example, two afternoons per week. Some modules are at 9-10am, 1-3pm and 4-6pm so bear that in mind. I'm doing it part-time as well as working so I know it's not easy.

I looked at distance learning options in Aberystwyth and Robert Gordon. The Aberystwyth course is highly regarded but has a week-long study school each year - I have two small kids so that wouldn't work for me. The Robert Gordon course is all online and is very highly thought of. I believe it was voted the best MLIS in the UK a couple of years ago. The downside of these courses are the fees. It was much cheaper for me to do the UCD course, even part-time over two years. There's also the Dublin Business School course which is definitely worth a look but I don't have much information on it.

http://www.dbs.ie/course/postgraduate/msc-information-library-management-march

Hope this is of some use. If you have specific questions I'll try to answer. I know the course pretty well from being friends with past students but I don't start until next month.

Hi,

So glad there are lots of posts on this!
Would like to apply for this Masters for September 2015 but not sure if I am too late?
I have yet to get work experience and worried I may be too late to apply.
I am a qualified secondary school teacher with the subjects of English and Religious Education.

I could use some help with the online application form if people were able to help?
I know it has been asked already within the thread but the section 'Statement of Career Aspirations' anymore information regards this part?

Also as I have no experience yet, it states on the programme page 'If you don’t have experience, you should indicate what plans you have to fulfill this requirement.' Would you upload a detailed plan in the section 'Proof of Info. work expr.'

Any ideas of what the likelihood of acceptance without the experience? I am EXTREMELY interested in this course and would love to be accepted and attend in September!

Thanks

Assistant Librarian job is being advertised in MIE and they're looking for someone with a recognised qualification in Library and Information Studies.

http://mie.ie/getdoc/140be61c-cceb-40e6-abbb-ed36b26e1d99/Library-Position-May-15.aspx

Hi, I know this is an old thread, I was reading through it because i'm thinking of applying for this course but the job prospects seem a little discouraging. Anyone know what the prospects are like now? Any improvement?

Thanks, yeah planing to call to some of the Library's during the week to hopefully get some vol work. I was doing a quick look earlier and saw a vacancy for a assistant librarian in CIT. It might be of interest to some people here. Unfortunately it's full time and I'm finishing up my bachelors degree so I can't take it on but for anyone else looking, just fyi.

I've applied for this postgrad to begin in September full-time Can anyone tell me how soon does it generally take for them to give you a conditional offer? I'm still completing my BA so it'd be nice to know what my plans are for after the summer!