[Web4lib] Skillset for new librarians

[Jim Knutson]

Look out. Shades of Will Manley in what you're saying.

Me, I agree. But what do I know? All I have is a B.A. in English and a couple Univ of Iowa library science courses, no MLS or MLIS.

RE: 
  From: Jesse Ephraim 
  To: web4lib at webjunction.org 
  Sent: Tuesday, January 04, 2011 4:52 PM
  Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Skillset for new librarians


  >the emphasis on the MLS degree is misplaced. 
  >It should not be a union card requirement for 
  >a professional job 

  Most MLS programs are not what I would consider to be of graduate level
  quality.  The MLS is one of the easiest graduate degrees out there
  (generally).    I would prefer to see a return to having a bachelor's
  degree be the entry-level qualification, with the graduate degree(s)
  being reserved for specializations like management, IT, etc.


  Jesse Ephraim
  Director, Roanoke Public Library
  308 S. Walnut
  Roanoke, Texas 76262
  (817) 491-2691
  jephraim at roanoketexas.com



  From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
  [mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Kevil, L H.
  Sent: Tuesday, January 04, 2011 12:53 PM
  To: web4lib at webjunction.org
  Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Skillset for new librarians

  Just two additions from the Peanut Gallery to this nice thread:

  (1) Eric Lease Morgan's list of five skills looks terrific. The point is
  to give students the ability to continue career-long learning on their
  own through the job and to weed out the technophobes. A little knowledge
  of PC hardware wouldn't hurt a bit. The skills need to be reinforcing or
  overlapping, at least to the extent that learning them will develop a
  positive problem-solving attitude.

  (2) As John Fereira suggests, the emphasis on the MLS degree is
  misplaced. It should not be a union card requirement for a professional
  job, nor should it be used to discriminate against technical people and
  place them in a different category for salary, promotion, governance,
  and the like. There are reasons for the typical library class structure
  (credentialism,) none of them admirable. 


  L. Hunter Kevil, Ph.D.
  Collection Development Librarian
  University of Missouri Libraries

  kevill at missouri.edu 


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