18 It’s Not Just About . . . LIBRARIES
Victoria Antwi
Introduction
This is a five-part series on the Library and Information Science Discipline. This chapter combines text and videos of individuals who have academic backgrounds in Information Studies/Science and how it has shaped their professional development. Many dealt with or are dealing with information in professional areas other than Libraries.
Victoria has an undergraduate degree in Information Studies from the University of Ghana. She leverages this study experience to make impacts in several areas, other than the Library. While cruising in this interdisciplinary field, she has, on many occasions, corrected people’s perception of the Library and Information Science being all about working in the Library and taking care of books. This work clears this perception, telling the stories of the diverse places where Information Studies/Science graduates have worked and are working.
Here is an overview of the objectives of this chapter. At the end of the sessions, students should be able to:
- Appreciate the value of the MSLIS program
- Identify the many diverse career paths
- Be excited to explore/learn more about MSLIS and the Information Science Profession
PART 1: Background – Does it matter?
I spent four years of my life studying Information Studies, and another three years working in the field. So, my root is traced to the Library and Information Science discipline. It is okay if you think my thoughts are influenced by my background. But, the bottom line is that I am significantly experienced enough to tell you that this discipline is not just about libraries.
In the video below, I take you to my roots, through my background – how the journey started and how it has taught me to understand that, your background does not matter.
Reflection #1
Forget about your background. Take a moment to think about how Information has been used in your academic and/or professional experience. Think about the effect if you want to, but imagine how far you, your organization, or your goals can go with proper information management skills.
PART 2: Libraries – A great Companion
In my years of appreciating this multidisciplinary field, one question that keeps lingering on the mind of those I engage relates to, studying for several years to take care of books in a Library. This question comes in different ways. For example;
- Is it not just about libraries?
- Why spend more for a master’s degree, am I not just going to be taking care of books?
- Do I really need a master’s to work in a library?
It’s fine if you have had these and many other questions like this. I have been in your position before – probably had the weirdest and most ignorant thoughts. The truth is, libraries are part of what we do as information professionals. They may be at the center of it and that is because the Library is a great companion. It is where communities are built, ideas are harnessed, and creativity is explored, making success inevitable. So, if you choose to work in the library after pursuing a degree in this field, you will be doing more than taking care of books.
This video tells you what happened to those weirdest and most ignorant thoughts I once had. It also shares with you, what else you really do at the library.
Reflection #2
Try remembering snippets of things being done at the Library in the video. That was a public library. Think about what you enjoy doing (it can be as a profession or a hobby) and note what that activity is. Now, assuming you wrote “music,” think about what you can do in a special library like a Music Library. Will you be bored working in that Music Library? Will you acquire a degree to help you work efficiently in that Music Library? How will you feel doing what you enjoy doing?
PART 3: Go Everywhere – where else aside Libraries
It has just been established that working in the library is a part of what you can do with your degree. It is amazing to work in the library, and it is super amazing that you will not be spending money to work in the library if you do not want to. The degree in Library and Information Science allows you to go everywhere. You will be prepared to work at places other than the Library and because information is a part of our lives and you know how to handle information, you will stand out wherever you work.
In this video, you will get to know what others have done or are doing with their undergraduate degree in Information Science.
Reflection #3
Throw away all your bias and attempt to appreciate how useful information studies have been in the lives of Grace, Harriet, Mohammed, and Priscilla. They only have an undergraduate degree and it is just a minor or they studied it with other courses. Assume you are Mohammed, (who now wants to study master’s in library and information science) and think about where else you cannot go after your degree.
PART 4: MSLIS at Illinois – a cruise
There are so many places you can study Information Studies or Library and Information Science. The first to begin your search is the iSchool consortium. It gives information on the schools of information sciences in some parts of the world.
I am studying for my Library and Information Science Degree at the School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois. In the video below, I will tell you why I like it here.
Reflection #4
Imagine you had an electronic mobile device and didn’t know how to use it. You could not go to the internet, make a phone call, send an email, or even use a social media platform. How good will you feel knowing we are in a digital age now?
Think of this as the weirdest thoughts you have had about the Library and Information Science Program. Remember the reflections you have made from the beginning and consider them as instructions on how to use that electronic mobile device. Now, think carefully about what you will do next.
PART 5 – WHAT’S NEXT?
Now that you know you will not be wandering in a forest if you study a Library and Information Science degree, take a deep breath, and remember your reflections and tell me what your next action will be. Are you joining me in this GLAMorous program? or you will continue wandering in ignorance?
Before you go…
Keep in mind that;
- ignorance is not an excuse.
- your background is not a barrier
- you can do a lot with your MSLIS degree
- you will not just be caring for books
- Information will never cease to exist