What Else You Can Do With a Library Degree: Career Options for the 90s and Beyond [Paperback]

Betty-Carol Sellen (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1555702643 | ISBN-13: 978-1555702649 | Publication Date: June 1997 | Edition: 2nd

The work that librarians do can be applied to a wide variety of interesting and lucrative working 90s version of Sellen's classic presents over 50 success stories with a broad range of library backgrounds. These librarians have moved from traditional career paths to fulfilling jobs in non-library settings. Authors include entrepreneurs who have founded thriving companies, information brokers, corporate information professionals, booksellers, storytellers, Internet trainers and consultants, and more. Whether you are considering a career change or are simply intrigued, here is valuable and inspiring first-hand information that will help you succeed.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

In the decade and a half since the first edition of this resource appeared, the number of librarians working in nonlibrary positions has increased dramatically. The new edition presents the stories of more than 60 librarians who have entered alternative careers. Many of those careers are related to those in traditional library settings, such as positions in bookselling and publishing and in organizations providing services and products to libraries. A large section of the book relates the stories of librarians engaged as independent library contractors and heading their own library-related companies. The final three sections cover some who have moved beyond librarianship to such related areas as association management, imaging technology, and, farther afield, private investigation. Although each chapter presents one person's story, together the chapters include information and guidance for any librarian interested in pursuing an alternative career. Edward Swanson

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Neal Schuman Pub; 2nd edition (June 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555702643
• ISBN-13: 978-1555702649
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,600,291 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting case studies, August 6, 2000

By 

P. Shontz "pshontz" (Spring, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What Else You Can Do With a Library Degree: Career Options for the 90s and Beyond (Paperback)

This book includes interesting narratives from librarians in a variety of jobs outside of the traditional library. However, the book predates the explosion of technology and the Internet, so it doesn't really touch on MLS grads working in computer-related jobs. The book includes 62 personal case studies and is divided into the following sections: (1) publishers, writers, booksellers, reviewers, (2) products and services for libraries, (3) independent librarians, (4) independent librarians with companies of their own, (5) association work and work in the academic world, (6) librarians employed in the corporate world, (7) some librarians who have traveled farther afield (includes private investigator, archivist, etc).

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dated, but Still Valuable, December 29, 2002

By 

A. Ross (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What Else You Can Do With a Library Degree: Career Options for the 90s and Beyond (Paperback)

The 62 first-person essays here are aimed at both those considering getting an MLS (like me), and those in the field looking for a change. It provides a very valuable service by doing exactly what the title says, however one can't help but feel it's time for a new edition that reflects the massive growth of the Internet since the book's publication in 1997. Many of the essays are by people who got jobs linked to the first wave of computer use in the libraries, and in that sense, it feels very dated. Indeed, if you look at the contributors' biographies, the majority seem to have gotten their degrees around the time I was born (early '70s). I'd like to see more from younger librarians, and more about the technology end of things. The book is well organized, so it's easy to skim and find the entries that interest you, although there did seem to be a fair amount of overlap in the area of information consulting. Still, it's a valuable book for anyone considering an MLS.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Dated, but Still Valuable, December 29, 2002

By 

A. Ross (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What Else You Can Do With a Library Degree: Career Options for the 90s and Beyond (Paperback)

The 62 first-person essays here are aimed at both those considering getting an MLS (like me), and those in the field looking for a change. It provides a very valuable service by doing exactly what the title says, however one can't help but feel it's time for a new edition that reflects the massive growth of the Internet since the book's publication in 1997. Many of the essays are by people who got jobs linked to the first wave of computer use in the libraries, and in that sense, it feels very dated. Indeed, if you look at the contributors' biographies, the majority seem to have gotten their degrees around the time I was born (early '70s). I'd like to see more from younger librarians, and more about the technology end of things. The book is well organized, so it's easy to skim and find the entries that interest you, although there did seem to be a fair amount of overlap in the area of information consulting. Still, it's a valuable book for anyone considering an MLS.