LIScareer | Career Strategies for Librarians

Library Science Career Development Books

Books by LIScareer Editors:

Shontz, Priscilla K. and Richard A. Murray. What Do Employers Want? A Guide for Library Science
Students. Libraries Unlimited, May 2012. ISBN 1598848283

While library schools provide graduates with a solid understanding of library science

concepts, many diploma holders have no clear plan for finding a desirable job with

their knowledge. The information in What Do Employers Want? A Guide for Library

Science Students will be extremely valuable for students currently in Masters of

Library Science program as well as recent recipients of MLS degrees, regardless of

what kind of work environment they wish to work in.

The book guides readers through the process of planning a job search step-by-

step. Divided into two major sections—the student experience and the job search—

the authors provide critical advice derived from their combined 30 years of real-

world, in-the-field experience. Specific topics include choosing classes, gaining

practical experience while in school, establishing a professional image, gaining

skills that make applicants more marketable, writing effective resumes and cover

letters, interviewing, and negotiating a job offer.

Read excerpt published in Hiring Librarians
Read review published in NMRT Footnotes
View contents & foreword
Read excerpt of chapter 1

Highlights

• Presents practical, real-life advice on landing the first job after library school

• Explains how the job search process works "on the inside"

• Provides actionable strategies for students who are still in library school to improve

their odds of getting their ideal job

• Reveals what potential employers like to see when interviewing for a job vacancy—

and what turns them off

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Shontz, Priscilla K. and Richard A. Murray, editors. A Day in the Life: Career Options in Library and
Information Science. Libraries Unlimited, 2007. ISBN 1591583640.

Many people, not just those new to the field of Library and Information Science, are

curious about their

career options. The editors of www.LIScareer.com have assembled

95 authors, each of whom describes a

"typical" workday or work routine, sharing

joys, sorrows, and annoyances in refreshingly candid fashion. In

the process, they

offer those interested in finding a similar job exposure to useful skills and advice

across

a wide variety of traditional and nontraditional jobs. In addition to public,

academic, school, and special

libraries, consortia, associations, LIS programs,

vendors, publishing, consulting, and other non-library

fields are also covered. This

is a perfect guide for library and information science students, prospective

information professionals, new librarians-or anyone considering a career change.

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Shontz, Priscilla K., editor. The Librarian's Career Guidebook. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, Dec 2004.
ISBN 0810850346

Are you trying to break into a career in library science or improve your current

position? In The Librarian's

Career Guidebook, 63 information professionals from

diverse positions, workplaces, and regions discuss

a variety of career issues and

offer advice to prospective librarians, MLS students, and librarians in various

stages

of their careers, from entry-level to the highly experienced. Packed with more than 60

chapters, The

Librarian's Career Guidebook covers such topics as career options,

education, the job search, on-the-job

experience, professional development,

essential skills and strategies for enjoying your career.

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Shontz, Priscilla K. Jump Start Your Career in Library and Information Science. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow
Press, 2002. ISBN 0810840847

Jump Start Your Career in Library and Information Science is designed to help new

librarians begin to

manage a successful and satisfying career in the library and

education science profession. Although the

first years are often overwhelming, they

can be the key to creating a successful career as a librarian or

information

professional. Unless one is fortunate enough to have good mentors or strong

support groups,

a new librarian may drift into an unsatisfying career. This book

emphasizes the value of defining one's own

idea of success and of positioning

one's self to be prepared to take advantage of opportunities that arise.

Although the

book is aimed at students and new information professionals, much of the advice

may apply

to a librarian at any stage of his or her career.

This book contains advice and anecdotes gathered from research and interviews

with more than 70

information professionals in a variety of library-related careers.

The book is written in a practical, easy-to-

read style. The modular format allows a

reader to read any chapter on its own or to read the chapters in

any order, choosing

which ones are most relevant at any point. The book covers eight broad topics:

career

planning, job searching, gaining experience and education, developing

interpersonal skills and

leadership skills, networking, mentoring, and writing for

publication. Lengthy lists of related readings, as

well as related web sites, are

included to allow the reader to follow up on any topic.

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More Library Science Career Books (listed in reverse publication date order):

De Stricker, Ulla and Jill Hurst-Wahl. The Information and Knowledge Professional's Career
Handbook. Chandos Publishing, 2011. ISBN 1843346087
Kane, Laura Townsend. Working in the Virtual Stacks: the New Library and Information
Science. American Library Association, 2011. ISBN 083891103X
Woodward, Jeannette. A Librarian's Guide to an Uncertain Job Market. American Library
Association, 2011. ISBN 0838911056
Neely, Teresa Y. How to Stay Afloat in the Academic Library Job Pool. American Library
Association, 2011. ISBN 0838910807
Doucett, Elizabeth. What They Don't Teach You in Library School. ALA Editions, 2010. ISBN
0838935923
Lawson, Judy; Joanna Kroll; Kelly Kowatch. The New Information Professional: Your Guide to
Careers in the Digital Age. Neal-Schuman, 2010. ISBN 1555706983
Pressley, Lauren. So You Want To Be a Librarian. Library Juice Press, 2009. ISBN 0980200482
Gordon, Rachel Singer. What's the Alternative?: Career Options for Librarians and Info Pros.
Information Today, 2008. ISBN 1573873330
Haycock, Ken. The Portable MLIS. Libraries Unlimited, 2008. ISBN 1591585473
Tucker, Cory and Reeta Sinha. New Librarian, New Job: Practical Advice for Managing the
Transition. Scarecrow Press, 2007. ISBN 0810858517.
Dority, G. Kim. Rethinking Information Work: A Career Guide for Librarians and Other
Information Professionals. Libraries Unlimited, 2006. ISBN 159158180X
Newlen, Robert. Resume Writing And Interviewing Techniques That Work!: A How-to-do-it
Manual for Librarians. Neal-Schuman, 2006. ISBN 1555705383
Carvell, Lin. Career Opportunities in Library and Information Science. Checkmark Books, 2005.
ISBN 081605245X
Pantry, Sheila and Peter Griffiths. Your Essential Guide to Career Success. Facet Publishing,
2004. ISBN 1856044912
Raddin, Rosemary. Your Career, Your Life: Career Management for the Information
Professional. Ashgate Publishing, 2004. ISBN 0754636348
Kane, Laura Townsend. Straight from the Stacks: A First-Hand Guide to Careers in Library and
Information Science. ALA Editions, 2003. ISBN 0838908659
Bridges, Karl. Expectations of Librarians in the 21st Century. Greenwood Publishing, 2003. ISBN
0313322945
Nesbeitt, Sarah L. and Rachel Singer Gordon. The Information Professional's Guide to Career
Development Online. Medford, NJ: Information Today, Inc., 2002. ISBN 1573871249
Langley, Anne; Edward Gray; K.T.L. Vaughan. The Role of the Academic Librarian. Oxford:
Chandos Publishing, 2003. ISBN 1843340577
Eberts, Marjorie and Margaret Gisler. Careers for Bookworms & Other Literary Types. McGraw-
Hill/Contemporary Books; 3rd edition, 2002. ISBN 0071390316
Fourie, Denise K. and David R. Dowell. Libraries in the Information Age: An Introduction and
Career Exploration. Libraries Unlimited, 2002. ISBN 1563086344
McCook, Kathleen De La Pena, Margaret Myers, Blythe Camenson. Opportunities in Library &
Information Science Careers. McGraw-Hill, 2001. ISBN 0658016415
Sellen, Betty-Carol. What Else You Can Do With a Library Degree : Career Options for the 90s
and Beyond. Neal-Schuman, 1997. ISBN 1555702643

www.LIScareer.com
Career Strategies for Librarians