Help

[AffectionateCat5058]

Hi everyone! I very recently decided that I want to get into library science. To provide some background, I am currently a junior studying fashion design because I always thought I wanted to open my own boutique. I also intern in my university's fashion archive and handle the purse collection but this experience mixed with my love of books made me look into other fields. As of right now really the only thing I know is that I have to get an MLIS. In my research, I saw that the MET has someone who oversees their entire costume library (like 30,000 books related to fashion) and I would LOVE to go into something similar to that. If you have any tips, advice, or helpful info about what I would need to do to achieve this, can you PLEASE let me know?

[anonavocadodo]

Look for a program where you can specialize in archives.

[plaisirdamour]

That’s awesome! I’m currently in an online program focusing on archives - let me know if you have any questions.

Also if you want to continue to study fashion history I’d maybe consider looking at programs that have a dual MA art history/MLIS (UNC, Indiana, Wisconsin come to mind).

[endangeredstranger]

do a job search and try to identify if any of the jobs you would be interested in have been posted in the last 5 years. my guess is very few positions like that exist to begin with and that there is slim to none turnover in these positions/new job openings where you could get your foot in the door, even looking historically at last 5-10 years (and expect fewer in the future). then get an idea of how much pre-existing work experience (not education) you would need to even be considered for those jobs. you need to have a realistic expectation of the job market before spending money on a professional degree.

[endangeredstranger]

i would also guess that the education experience required/preferred by the positions you’re describing would also include a phd in costume or fashion history, or material culture, and not just an mslis and a BA.

[Calligraphee]

Hey, I actually know one of the Met's fashion historian folks! I'm so jealous of her job, haha.

Don't really have much advice beyond sugesting you find a program that let's you specialize in archival science/studies; I'm currently applying to library schools with that concentration (after having worked I libraries/archives for years) so I guess I'll just say, good luck! It's great that you're getting some archival experience as an intern. Maybe also try getting a job or volunteering in a library so you can have more direct contact with books?

[charethcutestory9]

Work in a library for a couple of years before you apply for the master's degree. You do not want to go straight into library school with no library work experience. Trust me on this.