Oberlin College Library
IMLS Diversity Intern Program

Week Thirteen: Professional and Career Development

Week Thirteen Schedule
Week Thirteen Readings

Career Preparation: Library Schools and Curricula (1.5 hours)
Alison Ricker

• Educational requirements for professional positions in Academic, Public, School & Special Libraries (review & compile listings for professional position openings)
• Typical curriculum for Library & Information Science (LIS) Master's Program
• Length of programs, degree requirements, tuition, internship options
• Background source materials:
  1. Library directories in Mudd stacks and reference area;
  2. ALA Directory of Accredited LIS Master's Program
• Tangents: Non-library careers that are related to and utilize the MLIS, e.g., information science, Web-related endeavors, vendors, A&I publishers; Information Architecture and Knowledge Management

Continuing Education and Professional Development (1.5 hours)
Alison Ricker

• The role of library associations; conferences, electronic lists, mentoring, professional publications
• Background source materials:
  1. ALA Education and Employment Web pages
  2. ALA 2nd Congress on Professional Education

Professional Staff Evaluation, Promotion and Service (1.5 hours)
Alison Ricker

• Tenure requirements, faculty status philosophy in Academic libraries
• The value of service and leadership within library associations
• Exploring the relationship between leadership activities in professional associations and personal growth as a professional librarian
• Professional and Career Development Experiential Learning Group Activity

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