I wanted to say that I ordered the book from Amazon even before it was released (I was on a waiting list), and I wasn't disappointed.  It is so easy to read and so informative, I just love it.  I am graduating in August, so I am feeling really nervous about the whole interviewing process.  There is a great chapter on what exactly goes on in a public library interview, and it helped tremendously (since that's my interest).  I also love her website.  I highly recommend the book to everyone!!

 

Lara Martinez

Master's Candidate

School of Library and Information Science

University of North Texas

larapal@texas.net

 

March 7, 2002

Dear Ms. Shontz,

 

            I am writing to you to thank you for writing (and publishing) your book, Jump Start Your Career in Library and Information Science.  I am not yet a professional librarian, merely working as a college library assistant while finishing my MA thesis in English Literature (and awaiting an MLS program acceptance letter), but I wanted to let you know just how much your book is appreciated.  One of the first things I was told when I was hired as the “Project Assistant” to the Chief Librarian was that I would be learning “everything they don’t teach you in Library School.”  Needless to say, I have heard this statement from every librarian with whom I’ve come in contact at our college libarary. 

Your book has managed to teach me many things that I was afraid to ask my employer, and specifically, your encouraging chapters on “Mentoring” and “Networking” have given me that extra boost I needed to get over my initial shyness and insecurity about developing a working relationship with my boss, who is truly a great role model.  The “Job Searching” chapter certainly had a few tales that frightened me about possible interviewing nightmares, but I now have the more secure feeling of knowing what or who is behind the curtain.  Your writing style, and your use of direct quotes and anecdotes from other librarians made me quite comfortable, as if I were speaking with knowledgeable friends, and the chapter on “Publication” was very helpful, even as I consider submitting an expansion of my thesis paper to a scholarly journal.

Just for fun, I thought you’d like to know that I have been discussing your book with some my co-workers and my mentor, and they all have said exactly what Mr. Newlen said in the first line of his foreword to your book:  “I wish this book had been available when I was starting out in my library career.” 

Good luck to you in your future endeavors, and thank you for the information and the subsequent peace of mind that your book has given me.

 

Sincerely,

Catherine Geremia

cgeremia@worldnet.att.net 

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April 1, 2002
Ms. Shontz,

I read a review of your book, Jump Start Your Career in Library and Information Science in the One Person Library.  Richard Murray did such a good job of describing your book, that I ordered a copy of it through our Inter Library Loan Service.  I just finished reading it and I just wanted to write you and tell you how interesting and helpful it was to read!  You provided many practical ideas and examples which I can put to work right away even before I begin my M.L.S. degree!  It was so nice to read something so practical!  I feel so much more prepared for future work as a professional librarian because of your book.  Thanks for thinking of us "future librarians" and providing such a good resource for us!

Kathy Frady
Staff Librarian
Southwestern Indiana Mental Health Center
Evansville, Indiana
Library@southwestern.org 

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THE ONE-PERSON LIBRARY: A NEWSLETTER FOR LIBRARIANS AND MANAGEMENT 
(http://www.ibi-opl.com)
Volume 18, Number 11 March 2002 
PROFESSIONAL READING 

Jump Start Your Career in Library and Information Science by Priscilla K. Shontz, Lanham MD: Scarecrow, 2002, ISBN 0-8108-4084-7 Reviewed by Richard A. Murray, Catalog Librarian for Spanish, Portuguese, and Anthropology at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA 

A library school student or recent graduate searching the professional literature for career guidance will find a number of published articles on topics such as resume writing, networking, and interviewing. However, there have been few works that comprehensively address all the questions someone starting out in the career could have. Priscilla K. Shontz's new book, Jump Start Your Career in Library and Information Science, fills this gap in an outstanding way. 

The author, a past president of the American Library Association's New Members Round Table, provides up-to-date guidance in all the main areas job seekers need to understand, from perfecting their cover letters and resumes to interviewing to negotiating and accepting offers. The advice does not end there, though, as she also explains issues such as faculty status and tenure, mentoring, and publishing. Her writing style is clear and succinct, and the book has been organized in a modular fashion which allows readers to devour the whole thing at once or read particular chapters as their needs specify. 

What makes Shontz's work truly unique, however, is the fact that she has included contributions from over seventy information professionals at all stages of their careers, from those who have recently entered the field to those who have been in it for decades. These librarians offer invaluable advice and personal experiences that really make the book shine. Particularly helpful are the stories professionals in the early years of their career share about their own journeys. Readers can learn from their successes and, just as importantly, avoid the mistakes they have made. The anecdotes these librarians present are funny, touching, and wise, but most of all they are always informative and enlightening. Shontz's greatest accomplishment is blending more general career advice with the specific stories of her contributors in a manner that is natural and eminently readable. 

Jump Start, while aimed primarily at those just entering the field, also presents a wealth of information that would be beneficial to any librarian. Those who want to reenergize their careers will find tips and tricks of the trade here that will help them move in the direction that they want to go. The chapter on mentoring, one of the strongest in the book, would be just as useful to those who find themselves mentoring others as it is to those who are being mentored. With the "graying of librarianship" that is so frequently discussed in the professional literature, administrators who will increasingly be scrambling to fill positions will here learn about many of the issues their job candidates are facing. Perhaps more than anyone, library school faculty members should read this book so they can provide the career guidance their students need but may or may not be bold enough to ask about. Finally, those who do not fall into any of these categories but simply enjoy a good read will not be disappointed. 

At a list price of $22.50, this book is a true bargain. It fits the budgets of students or young professionals who will find the information included within priceless. Shontz's book should be required reading for all students in library and information science programs, their instructors, and anyone else who cares about the direction librarianship is taking and the people who will shape its future. 

IBI (pp. 6-7)

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Info Career Trends 

"... Shontz manages to touch on nearly every issue of interest to new librarians, as well as those looking to revitalize their careers. As the past president of ALA's New Members Round Table and creator of the career development web site LIScareer.com, Shontz is well qualified to write on this topic ... The information is useful, detailed, and current, and each chapter could easily stand on its own. The book is also an enjoyable and entertaining read." 

Reviewed by Catherine Collins (catherine_collins@tamu-commerce.edu), Business Reference Librarian, James G. Gee Library, Texas A&M University, Commerce, TX

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American Libraries, May 2002, p. 89
CAREER CATALYSTS

"If you are new to the profession, or someone who needs a change, seek guidance from author Priscilla K. Shontz ..."

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NMRT VOICE: 
THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE NEW YORK LIBRARY ASSOCIATION'S NEW MEMBERS ROUND TABLE
Winter 2002, p. 3
reviewed by Zahra Baird, Children's Librarian, Scarsdale Public Library

An invaluable guide to getting the most out of your chosen career, Shontz, a past president of ALA's NMRT, presents us with a gold mine of 
information.  Whether you are a new librarian or interested in reenergizing your career, this book is your key to managing a successful and rewarding career.  

Jumpstart guides the reader to defining their own idea of success and taking advantage of opportunities that arise.  The pearls of wisdom and advice derived from Shontz's experience teamed with first hand accounts culled from interviews with over 70 information professionals, highlights realistic reactions and insights into things that work and things that do not in the information professional's world. 

Well organized into 8 broad topics of career planning, job searching, experience and education, interpersonal skills, networking, leadership skills, mentoring and writing for publication, this book covers all the important cornerstones and steppingstones to building a flourishing career. 

Each chapter ends with related readings for further exploration of topics.  Worthy of note is the appendix, which lays out the original proposal submitted for this book.  Another bonus is the companion website located at: http://www.liscareer.com/.  This is essential reading for any NMRT member who aspires to climb the leadership ladder, make a difference in the field of librarianship or revitalize their career and is well worth the $22.50 investment.  Don't delay, get your copy today! 

From The BookHaven.Net

Review by Amy Coffin

 

Is it a good time to be enrolled in library school? Professional associations predict great numbers of librarians will retire within the next decade. At the same time, instructors preach the horrors of navigating the job market. Students graduate with MLIS degrees in hand, only to find their fancy parchment doesn't guarantee employment. Fortunately, there's plenty that students and new librarians can do to make their stars brighter. Priscilla Shontz draws on experience as a librarian, author, and webmaster to provide the valuable advice found in Jump Start Your Career in Library and Information Science.
 

The nine chapters in this book cover important factors in a librarian's employment path including: career planning, job searching, experience, education, networking, interpersonal skills, mentoring, leadership skills, writing and publishing. The practical advice within is geared toward librarians in public, private, academic or special institutions.
 

The author draws from her own experiences when illustrating many points in the book. She also taps into a wealth of information by featuring the knowledge and opinions of colleagues nationwide. Jump Start Your Career in Library and Information Science is the first field-related book I've read which addresses the wonderful world of library politics. Knowing what to expect in the real world will help you cope with it.
 

This handy tool also includes several tables that contain addresses to helpful web sites. Readers can find online job sources, networking resources, personality tests, and publication guides.
 

LIScareer.com is a web site run by Priscilla Shontz. It is designed as a companion to this book, not a replacement. Some books are merely print versions filled with information that can be found online. This isn't the case with this book and web site. Both are worth their weight in gold.
 

Jump Start Your Career in Library and Information Science should be required reading in any introductory library school course. Furthermore, this book is an asset to any personal LIS bookshelf. Shontz provides sound advice from which all MLIS students can benefit. Following the recommendations in this valuable text will allow potential and new librarians to maximize their career opportunities.