1. MLS Career Alternatives Barbara Albee, Lecturer SLIS Indianapolis October 29, 2010

2. Library positions evolving Public, academic, corporate, medical and other libraries have transformed to include functions not commonly found 25 years ago The technology services function has become vital to the operation Internet librarians are the conduits for patron access to information on the Web Digital library collections are growing in size and popularity Libraries are also placing a premium on experts from other disciplines who earn MLS degrees Those other professions include attorneys, businesspeople, nursing and medical

3. Non-traditional libraries Every Collection Is Not Based on Books Organizations in a variety of industries are finding the skills and services of librarians to be useful. Tracking items and objects such as charts, chairs, boats, and bears requires information tagging and data base creation skills similar to those used for books, reports and magazines. Librarians and information professionals are able to combine the best of cataloging, records management, indexing and abstracting to help in addressing these needs.

4. We have alternatives to working in atraditional library

5. What does the Bureau of LaborStatistics have to say aboutLibrarians? Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition Related Occupations Where are some other places librarians are needed?

6. Corporations need Librarians The business world has discovered librarians in a big way. In addition to traditional corporate libraries, businesses need people to help them gather, organize, store and access information about their businesses. For example, headhunting firms gather information about their client firms and their candidates. The president of a New York recruiting firm stated that [with more information about industries and positions, search firms have a better chance of luring the best candidates for jobs, so librarians are being paid well for their services. (Gates, 2001) Growing area of Knowledge Management. Project Planners.

7. Freelance positions are a possibility Freelance entrepreneurial Librarians Many libraries outsource today Consultants Some firms provide contractual information services to provide flexible jobs for librarians Freelance indexing. I decided to go into librarianship, and indexing in particular, indexes are so important I never really made a decision to become a free-lancer. I just found, after tackling several independent projects and seeing them through to their successful conclusion, that I was one. (Sellen, 1980, p. 138) book, periodical, and database indexing Information brokers (for others)

8. Go where the technology is Growth of technology has led to an increase in librarian jobs outside of libraries. Webmasters design, program and maintain web sites Database specialists organize, update and store data Systems analysts and network administrators keep information flowing within and between organizations

9. Government too Library administrators sometimes become government administrators. A career in the library and information field has endless possibilities. You can choose to work in traditional and non-traditional roles, clerical to management levels, any library environment anywhere in the world and at anytime as an entry level to retired library and information professional.

10. Librarians can go to the dark side Library Vendors of all types hire Librarians Library experiences are crucial here Data handling People skills Cataloging Management Budget Licensing Copyright issues Technology Speak the language of libraries Customer education and training

11. Vendor benefits Travel Workshops Trade shows Fast-Paced Variety Different each day Visit many libraries & settings Conferences/networking Helps you stay current Work from home

12. Vendor positions do exist EBSCO MLS degreed persons in top positionshttp://www2.ebsco.com/en- us/app/AboutUs/Pages/eismanagement.aspx Baker & Taylorhttp://www.btol.com/home_aboutus_details.cfm?sid eMenu=Management%20Team&home=home_ab outus_details.cfm

13. Not for everyone Busy, Fast-paced, travel Keep up with business trends Vocal, Motivated, Proactive

14. Internship opportunities do exist Internshipshttp://www.swets.com/web/show/id=90623/langid=4 2Taped Editions internship

15. Think outside the box Cataloging to Business Information System to Content Architect Taxonomy Metadata Reference to Researcher toInformation Broker Librarian to Educator

16. Real life people Beverley Geer (Library/Sales Consortia Manager, SAGE Publications) Peter McCracken (Co-founder of Serials Solutions) Sue Easun (Acquisitions Editor for Scarecrow Press) Sandy Hurd (Director Strategic Markets, Innovative Interfaces, Inc.) Bob Boissy (Manager of Account Development and Strategic Alliances, Springer) Christine Stamison (Senior Customer Relations Manager Swets &Zeitlinger Marla Whitney (Ralph J. Bunche Library at the Department of State) Jane Potee (Government Contracts Manager, Taped Editions, Inc.)

17. Actively look for opportunities Get to know your library vendors of all types Attend local and national conferences and visit the Exhibits Get involved with professional organizations, build relationships Check vendor and publisher websites for job opportunities Vary your own work experiences Employers look for skills Do not limit employment opportunities by making your studies too narrow Get your foot in the door

18. The job possibilities are endless Medical Records and Health Information Technicians Computer Systems Analysis Prepress Technicians and Workers Desktop Publishing Market and Survey Researchers Abstractor Analyst Broker Collection developer Consultant Database manager Grant writer

19. Professional organizations AIIP Association of Independent Information Professionals SLA Special Libraries Association Non-Traditional Careers Caucus ASCLA Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies

20. Sources LIScareer.com Career Strategies for Librarians. Librarians in the Information Age: Alternative Uses of MLS Degrees by Darwin McGuire http://www.liscareer.com/mcguire_alternativecareers.htm Ask Tangognat: Alternative Careers for Librarianshttp://www.tangognat.com/2006/08/09/ask-tangognat-alternative-careers-for- librarians/Alternative Careers & Personal Development SLA Toronto Chapter, February 9, 1999 Presented by Vicki Casey http://units.sla.org/toronto/resources/alternativejobs.asphttp://units.sla.org/toronto/resources/career/casey.htmhttp://apprenticelibrarian.wordpress.com/2010/05/21/colloquium-on-what-else-can- you-do-with-an-mls-degree/

21. Mother Goose & Grimm by MikePeters-