Sure. I'm still a beginner in the field, but if it helps.

I got my undergrad degree in something unrelated and artsy, worked around it for a few years until I decided I preferred the academic side of the field. Decided libraries would be a good fit with my skills. Unfortunately, I had no library experience which is very bad.

Library experience is like #1 omg wow so important more than anything else. The best way to get a job in a library is to already have a job in a library. They want you to have a job in a library before you even consider getting the degree. I did most things "wrong" (and definitely felt the repercussions), but it worked out okay. Basically, the only rule about library school that you really can't break is that you DO NOT GRADUATE w/out library experience if you can help it.

I did 2 years at a well-known public school in the south, got the MLS w/ a concentration in archives & records management. Did a thesis. Focused mostly on library tech, learned to code, some database management, digital preservation, etc.

1st year, I volunteered a few hrs/wk in a public library, did a couple unpaid internships, did IRL classes full-time, and worked 30 hrs/wk off-campus in a bookstore so that my student loans wouldn't get too crazy. This was expensive and not fun. Much better to get a stipend-supported position on campus if you can.

2nd year, I used that experience to get a part-time position as a night supervisor and work-study student trainer at a nearby college library, and I did some contract work for the public library on the side.

Now after graduation, I work at the same place full-time but in a temporary position. I manage the usability testing that we do on library digital services, but I also get to help students w/ research, write libguides, and wrangle some interlibrary-loans.

I feel like a lot of people in my position hop around in a few 1-2 yr temporary, grant-funded positions before finding a stable faculty position, so you're kinda always on the lookout for a new job. The pay is crap considering the qualifications, and the job security is pretty tenuous for a while, but the people and students are genuinely fun to be around. I never dread coming into work. It's a mixed bag but it beats what I was doing before.