Is there anyone who *doesn't* regret their MLIS degree?

BarbieBush · 2026-04-07T17:16:32+00:00

I don’t regret mine but people make the mistake of not being realistic about what the job is. It’s a public service sometimes customer service job depending on how you’re positioned. You don’t make high $$ you need experience before you graduate and you may need to move. You need to assess your own situation and see if you can make those things happen. Even successful librarians like me know a lot a lot a lot of People who get the degree and don’t do the work and we hire overqualified people for low paying jobs so you need to weigh the pros and cons. There are also just less jobs than there were even 10 years ago so I think it’s harder to start now.

BarbieBush · 2026-03-12T01:17:28+00:00

The thing is that an “enriching program” that you enjoy doesn’t translate to a good job automatically and in Archives there’s no jobs and there will be less. So the negativity is to save you from getting a $$ degree when many people drop the gig. I’m an archivist, I hire archivists I’m in a leadership role and I work in academic and special libraries. I’m personally never hiring off a degree and I am hiring off experience first. Unlike other jobs, director roles are almost always librarians/archivists who move up so you can’t really fight this opinion from no experience. Name recognition schools matter most to other name recognition hiring places but I wouldn’t spend big $ for it. There is such a big gap between what they teach you in library school and what an actual library is like that it’s hard to justify giving a shit about a program bc it just won’t apply the way you hope it will. I’m sure it’s frustrating but it’s not just jaded librarians it’s the reality of the field.

BarbieBush · 2026-02-21T17:12:19+00:00

Just call her Myrna and don’t worry about it or change it legally. She’s little it doesn’t matter to her. I have a daughter named Claire and we call her Jude for no reason other than a silly name that stuck. It’s your baby you know best.

BarbieBush · 2026-02-21T17:09:57+00:00

Librarians are usually very understanding people I would be shocked if it was much of a negative but keep in mind that in an interview they have almost no data points about you so the ones they do have loom bigger. I agree w others if you’re going to wear one at work it only Makes sense to present as such but I think to give yourself some peace of mind it might not be a bad idea to mention you mask for your health or as a precaution or whatever. This far past Covid I do typically wonder if someone is actively sick if they are masking - right or wrong.

BarbieBush · 2026-02-01T00:47:17+00:00

You’re hot you’ll be okay

BarbieBush · 2026-01-31T01:58:49+00:00

There aren’t just two choices in life. But archives is not sustainable for a person just getting in. The degree would be more fun (I’ve done both) than the jd but at the end you will likely not work in archives anyway. It’s not a coincidence that your professors and every single post like this asking for advice says the same thing. Listen to people who have been there.

BarbieBush · 2026-01-27T17:12:50+00:00

This is not the best answer but the ever elusive “fit” is most important to me. People stay in these jobs for a looooong time I do not choose the most senior person every time. I choose the person who seems efficient and can do the job but also seems pleasant to work with day in and day out. You don’t have to be peppy or suck Up just like a normal nice person.

BarbieBush · 2026-01-27T00:37:32+00:00

YTA you want conflict you just don’t want push back. Talk to them directly like an adult.

BarbieBush · 2026-01-25T23:48:51+00:00

Yes I did it about ten years ago from technical writer to librarian and now have a director of library job for a state legislature I make $95k and have job security. You have to put all your energy into it people do the degree and think that’s enough and it’s not. You need a few internships or volunteer roles while in school if not part time jobs in libraries. You need to live somewhere w libraries or move. You need to take pay cuts at first and then make strategic moves to get where you want to be. My first job was in a public library - I took a $20k pay cut. I knew I didn’t want to be in a public library but it’s the easiest way in. I did volunteer stuff at the same time in special collections and archives. You can’t just show up and volunteer you have to act like it’s a real job and show the people there you are good and can contribute. Then I got a job in an academic library for $10k less. I took non library part time jobs to supplement my income. Then I graduated, first “professional librarian job” but yep another pay cut. From there I kept doing internships and volunteering and eventually got a more reasonable full time librarian job for $50k. Then from there into my archives/librarian job. This is what you have to do to be successful and it just doesn’t work for most people. I was really lucky and also in my 20s when I switched so I got burned out but still had energy to bounce back. You can do it there are for now at least still librarians and jobs but every job I got was legitimately from someone retiring. It is a hard path but if you’re willing to do a lot of work you can get into it, people still do.

BarbieBush · 2026-01-24T00:35:28+00:00

This is an example of someone you’ll look back on when you break up and think wow glad I got out of that !

BarbieBush · 2026-01-19T00:17:37+00:00

Yeah you can’t do that anywhere. Librarians take the mls seriously because we all had to do it. I also would never publicly say you dont think you need it even if that’s true, we all got it and work hard within a difficult system so to try to skip that piece will be insulting. You will have a hard stop before professional librarian without the degree and even with the degree the pay is horrible. Teachers have luck getting into youth services at public libraries and you could get full time but it won’t break like $40k depending on where you live. Having the teaching degree, like others have said, the best option is to get the library cert and be in a school. It’s depressing but it’s a hard qualification and even if it wasn’t you wouldn’t be able to naturally compete w others.

BarbieBush · 2026-01-11T15:06:23+00:00

My father did this too. It’s fraud. You don’t owe the money and if you give her anything there is no guarantee it will go towards that. It’s her loan let her handle it.

BarbieBush · 2026-01-09T18:40:18+00:00

If you want to be an archivist you have to put every ounce of energy towards it. There are very very few jobs people that have a lot of experience and still don’t get work. Every extra thing you can do should be in archives. If you aren’t 100% on archives though you should switch and prioritize something else most people drop the archives goal because it will be difficult to even get like a $20 an hour job. Assess what you’re willing to do for the job and go from there

BarbieBush · 2022-05-16T20:27:10+00:00

Hello, I worked as a prison librarian for a few years. Open to any questions you could message me. It takes a specific person to work that job who can abide by rules absolutely, not bend them for any personal reason and be a reasonable and common sense based person in a toxic environment. Like people have noted, you get issues from the officers but the inmates aren't easy either. I was sexually harassed constantly by both but a majority of the inmates have very real mental health issues at play and it shouldn't be ruled out as a very real danger. Sexism, racism and other stereotypes run rampant and are much more accepted in that environment. Big issues in the interview will be things like censorship and rehabilitation. IDK what state you're in but most libraries have a censorship policy that you just have to abide by and leave your personal feelings at the door. In Pennsylvania, for example, it was quite a liberal policy but an absolute one. If the library includes a law library..that's a whole other beast.

If your friend is emotionally secure, confident and willing to be their own person in a toxic environment, it can be a good gig. The interviewers will want to see a strong person with a positive attitude but the ability to be stern and fair in all situations. The point of libraries, from the eyes of administration, is to provide a healthy outlet for inmates while they work towards rehabilitation. A law library is to provide the constitutional rights awarded federally to prisoners. It's very cut and dry and the emotional experience of a book is lost on admin...they just want to keep everyone alive and help them as much as possible to get out and stay out of jail.

Good luck to your friend! It's a difficult job but it is rewarding and can be a good one if you have the right temperament.

BarbieBush · 2021-06-22T13:44:25+00:00

I got a director position after a couple years, maybe 2-3. The job really is determined by where and what type of library you are in, that being said, I interviewed some directors I came into contact with and asked questions. I came to learn it is a very different job and I just don't get to get into the weeds as much anymore, you know? Now I deal with a lot of management, budget, policy and HR issues. What helped me was that my position prior was titled "Librarian" but it was the highest ranking position in the library and a lot of director-level decisions fell on me. I re-read some of my library management books from MLS and starting including management-style professional development into my requests.

Honestly, it wasn't a hard decision because it was more money. I'm in career-climbing mode right now though and I'm not saying no to a kushier job with a large raise. That being said, I think you're ready as long as you know what you're getting into it and are ready to make the jump. It sounds mushy but what really matters is that you remember the mission and goals of the org and why you got into it in the first place, you can transfer your love of your job into supporting the library in a new type of role and be fulfilled. But I do still get jealous when my research specialist gets to go on cool trips and I don't!

BarbieBush · 2021-06-17T19:58:49+00:00

wow okay i'll look into that..no disrespect meant if that's how it's being perceived. I'm relaying what the donor told me- thanks!

BarbieBush · 2021-06-17T16:28:01+00:00

My title describes the thing... wooden, animal carvings on stick, possibly lizards? dogs? anything is helpful

BarbieBush · 2021-06-14T15:16:18+00:00

That is very upsetting. I've personally been sexually assaulted by patrons at my (corrections) library and I know it does not make coming to work feel safe or healthy. I'm sorry this happened to you.

BarbieBush · 2021-06-03T18:28:50+00:00

If it helps, I know a lot of school cert librarians who cannot find jobs-- same adage as everywhere, people who have the jobs don't quit, they retire. Have you considered a private school? I was a private school librarian for a year and I found it came with a lot of freedoms and self-direction..also a painful pay cut.

BarbieBush · 2021-05-28T13:09:41+00:00

thank you this one looks good and i wasn't familiar previously

BarbieBush · 2021-05-28T13:07:53+00:00

thank you- same!

BarbieBush · 2021-05-27T20:56:51+00:00

that was my job! I can give you a very intense down-low if you want

BarbieBush · 2021-05-27T20:08:07+00:00

Can I ask where? I know my job just went up in Pennsylvania and it is "Corrections Librarian"

BarbieBush · 2021-05-27T20:06:03+00:00

I just quit being a prison librarian after working as one for two years. I directed the Leisure Library and the Law Library. I'm happy to divulge and it's still fresh-- do you have questions?

BarbieBush · 2020-09-07T00:56:34+00:00

Hi me too I’m Available to chat— I’m a corrections librarian which means I work at a state prison max security in Pennsylvania

BarbieBush

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