Informed Librarian article: What You Wish You'd Learned in Library School

You may remember back in the summer we told you that we wanted to write an article called "What Do You Wish You'd Learned In Library School?" Many of you responded to that question, and for that, thanks! The article that resulted from that question has just been published as the guest column in this month's issue of Informed Librarian Online. We included many of your comments (anonymously), so you may find yourself quoted in our article. We had fun reading your responses and writing the article, and we hope you enjoy reading it. You can view it at the Informed Librarian Online site (link to Guest Forum on the left side of page). We've also posted a brief summary of responses on our site.

Thanks again for your help!

Rich

Nov 2007 Articles

• Allen, Tiffany Eatman. "To Whom It May Concern: A Guide for Giving Employment References."
• Larrabee, Nancy. "What I Wish I Had Learned in Library School: A Public Librarian’s Perspective."

Oct 2007 LIScareer Articles

• Forest, Jon. "Moving from Public Services to Systems: Interview Strategies."
• Wells, Muriel K. "The Internship Voyage: Shipwreck or Smooth Sailing?"

What do you wish you'd learned in library school?

"What do you wish you'd learned in library school?"

When Rich and I asked this question a few months ago, we received a lot of interesting replies, which we'll be summarizing in an article for Informed Librarian. If you haven't already responded, we would love to hear your answers! (Please keep it brief - your "gut reaction.")

And by the way, Nancy Larrabee will share her views on the topic in an upcoming LIScareer article.

Sept 2007 Articles

These articles were just published at LIScareer.com:

• Guthrie, Ana. "Shifting: Ways to Cope When You’re the Only Minority in Your Department."
• Herrick, Fritz. "Working Overseas: Opportunities and Challenges."

Interested in writing for LIScareer? See the author guidelines.

Aug 2007 LIScareer Articles

Newly-published articles:

• Powell, Jessie Bishop. "Contract Cataloging in the 21st Century."
• Switzer, Teri R. "Mentoring: A First Step on the Road to Success."

Want to write for LIScareer? See the author guidelines.

July 2007 LIScareer Articles

• Harrington, Heather. "Quiet in the Library: Working in a Work Zone."
• Smith, Felicia A. "Pursuit of Employment in the New Millennium."

Interested in writing for LIScareer? See the author guidelines.

June 2007 LIScareer Articles

These articles were recently published on LIScareer.com:

• Dority, G. Kim. "LinkedIn: Everything I Ever Wanted to Tell You, But Was Too Shy/Modest/Embarrassed to Say…"
• Glover, John. "Telling Stories to Get the Job."

Interested in writing for LIScareer.com? Check out the submission guidelines.

May 2007 Articles

These articles were just published at LIScareer.com:

• Potter, Charlie, and Shelly Franklin. "Getting Started: Employment Opportunities for Graduate Students in Library and Information Programs."
• Riehle, Catherine Fraser. "Teaching Tips from the Instruction Front: Insights of a New Librarian."

Interested in writing for LIScareer? See the author guidelines.

A Day in the Life is out !!

We're excited to announce that our book is out! We'd like to thank the 98 contributors for their hard work, candor, and enthusiasm. (And in case you're wondering, the LU.com description below says 95 authors -- we actually had 95 chapters, 98 contributors.) :-)

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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. 464 pages. ISBN 1591583640.

Table of contents, excerpts, contributor information, and more at http://www.liscareer.com/dil.htm.

Many people, not just those new to the field of library and information science, are curious about their career options. The editors of 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.

April 2007 Articles

These articles were just published at LIScareer.com:

• Anderson, Elsa. "Teach Yourself To Be Tech Savvy."
• Barta, Erin. "See What You’re Hearing: Explicit vs. Implicit Interview Responses."
• Doshi, Ameet. "Reducing Library-related Stress Holistically."
• King, Douglas. "The Hows and Whys of Book Reviewing."

Interested in writing for LIScareer? See the author guidelines.

Priscilla Shontz, editor
Rich Murray, assistant editor

What do you wish you'd learned in library school?

"What do you wish you'd learned in library school?"

I've been mulling over this topic and would love to hear your answers! Email me (keep it brief, please - a short list, your "gut reaction" answers, a couple short paragraphs, whatever works for you).

Priscilla

March 2007 LIScareer Articles

These articles were just published at LIScareer.com:

• Ferguson, Jen. "Tips from the Trenches: How to Survive (and Even Enjoy) Distance Learning."
• Gertz, Christine. "Move Along: Relocation for Librarians."
• Osborn, Jennifer. "Developing Teaching and Training Skills."
• Sullivan, Doreen. "Flying Off the Inside Track: Survival Strategies for the Internal Candidate."

Want to write for LIScareer? See the author guidelines.

Priscilla Shontz, editor
Rich Murray, assistant editor

Feb 2007 LIScareer Articles

These articles have just been published at LIScareer.com:

• Gaspari, Maureen. "To Cohort or Not to Cohort: An Essential Question to Ask When Considering an Online MLS Program."
• Glossop, Kelly. "Liaising Around: Essentials for a New Liaison Librarian."
• Morris, Sarah E. & Patrice Johnson. "Getting Your LIS Degree without Breaking the Bank."
• Peters, Chrissie Anderson. "Paying for Graduate School."

Interested in writing for LIScareer.com? See the author guidelines.

A Day in the Life description on LU and Amazon

A brief description of the book that Rich Murray and I just edited, A Day in the Life: Career Options in Library and Information Science, has been posted on Amazon and on Libraries Unlimited's website. If you'd like to be notified when the book is available through Amazon, you can sign up for an email alert (of course, we'll let you know here, as well!).

The description reads:

"Many people, not just those new to the field, are curious about their career options. The editors of liscareer.com have assembled 95 authors, each of whom describes a "typical" workday or work routine, sharing their joys, sorrows, and annoyances in refreshingly candid fashion. In the process, those interested in finding a similar job will be treated to useful skills, and advice across a wide variety of traditional and non-traditional jobs; in addition to public, academic, school and special libraries, consortia, associations, LIS programs, vendors, publishing, consulting and other non-library fields are covered. For library and information science students, prospective information professionals, new librarians, or anyone considering a career change."

Jan 2007 Articles

These articles were just published at LIScareer.com:

• Allen, Tiffany Eatman. "It’s Your Call: Telephone Interview Strategies."
• Brown, Christopher A. "Functional and Stylistic Needs of Every Online Portfolio."
• Kelley, Jennifer. "A New Librarian’s First Conference: Or, What I Learned on Navy Pier."
• Woodruff, Laura. "Becoming a People Person: Social Growing Pains of a Visiting Assistant University Librarian."

If you'd like to write for LIScareer, please check out the author guidelines.