tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3831412.post8875766490980969681..comments2023-10-11T03:43:28.302-04:00Comments on Confessions of a Science Librarian: Uncomfortable Question: LIS EducationJohn Dupuishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09829396649299444557noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3831412.post-75507522219559467922008-03-27T12:34:00.000-04:002008-03-27T12:34:00.000-04:00Thanks!To Anon March 26, thanks for bringing up IL...Thanks!<BR/><BR/>To Anon March 26, thanks for bringing up IL, which I didn't really address initially. Overall, I guess I didn't see an IL/teaching theory & practice course as part of the core. I saw it more as an elective that someone interested in the subject would take, probably in the second year. And hopefully, someone really interested would be able to do a reading course or two to really explore the theory aspects of teaching and a practicum to get some practical experience.<BR/><BR/>To Anon March 27, you're welcome. I'm glad to know that all the wonderful commenters and I have been helpful to the development of your career path.John Dupuishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09829396649299444557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3831412.post-49110572540557005522008-03-27T11:35:00.000-04:002008-03-27T11:35:00.000-04:00Speaking as an MLIS student just finishing her fir...Speaking as an MLIS student just finishing her first 4-month co-op term, I must say this post and discussion are good for the self-confidence! I had never worked in a library before this term. My primary reason for trying the co-op program was that I had no practical idea of whether or not I would actually enjoy working in a library; all of my happy previous work experience has been in the outdoor education field, and mucking about knee-deep in mud with kids is a far cry from working in a quiet, small, sci-tech library. Luckily I enjoy this very much as well. The theory I have learned in class has been invaluable. I was previously suprisingly ignorant about this field for someone who decided she wanted to be a librarian. But the practical experience has been as valuable to my development in this field as it has been to my job prospects. One of the most interesting, unanticipated advantages to taking this co-op term has been that I know now the kinds of courses I should be taking. I have a far better idea of the kind of background understanding that I will need going forward.<BR/><BR/>Love the blog, btw. Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3831412.post-58201238674536338182008-03-26T20:26:00.000-04:002008-03-26T20:26:00.000-04:00what about teaching theory and practice? i know th...what about teaching theory and practice? i know that the search committee i was on wanted the applicants to teach a mock class showing their ability to do instruction...btw, you're right about exp counting for a lot; the candidates who have even a 4 month co-op on their resume rise to the top of the heap of our short list!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3831412.post-91356129684296221992008-03-25T10:38:00.000-04:002008-03-25T10:38:00.000-04:00Anon, Ian, thanks for the comments. I hope that l...Anon, Ian, thanks for the comments. I hope that lib schools are reading what we all have to say and moving in that direction. <BR/><BR/>Of course, I would still like to plug the usefulness of reading courses for people looking for academic jobs. Focusing on issues and building up research interests will definitely work in your favour when you apply for academic jobs.John Dupuishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09829396649299444557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3831412.post-37379858065475406122008-03-25T08:03:00.000-04:002008-03-25T08:03:00.000-04:00I just recently finished my MISt @ U of T. One of...I just recently finished my MISt @ U of T. One of the professors there at the end of every one of his classes gives a talk entitled how to get a job in _________ (I'll leave out the branch of librarianship because it would identify the prof in question) - it was the most enlightening talk I attended my library school career. The jist of his talk was that work experience was key to getting the job and once you were out there no one cares if you got B's or A's all that matters is your competence.<BR/><BR/>I knew that experience was key ahead of time but it was nice to hear that affirmed. My previous work experience was key to getting my current position here @ Memorial.<BR/><BR/>In general I think library school would be better organized as a co-op type with 4 terms of school combined with a minimum of 8 months of work experience. The work experience really lets you decide what you are interested in. When I got into library school I thought that cataloguing was where it was at but after doing it for a while I bolted for public service at the first opportunity. Besides everyone knows that Science Librarianship is where it's at!Ianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10693018261759134453noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3831412.post-79017721812818114742008-03-24T22:29:00.000-04:002008-03-24T22:29:00.000-04:00As a veteran librarian (6+ yrs) and spouse of a fe...As a veteran librarian (6+ yrs) and spouse of a fellow librarian (10 yrs) it's our firm belief that graduate programs should provide students with ample opportunities to participate in practicums and field experience. In graduate school, we may not have been the best students, but we hustled to get experience and felt more comfortable when interviewing and being able to discuss real-world issues with potential employers rather than what we read in a book or a paper.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3831412.post-58017068312759093162008-03-20T18:53:00.000-04:002008-03-20T18:53:00.000-04:00Thanks for the thoughtful comments! I'm sure my re...Thanks for the thoughtful comments! I'm sure my readers will find them useful too.Graham Lavenderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12472658980146515520noreply@blogger.com