Jump Start Your Career in Library and Information Science (Paperback)

~ (Author), Steven J. Oberg (Author), Robert N. Klob (Author), Robert R. Newlen (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Jump Start Your Career in Library and Information Science is designed to help new librarians begin to manage a successful and satisfying career in the library and education science profession. Although the first years are often overwhelming, they can be the key to creating a successful career as a librarian or information professional. Unless one is fortunate enough to have good mentors or strong support groups, a new librarian may drift into an unsatisfying career. This book emphasizes the value of defining one's own idea of success and of positioning one's self to be prepared to take advantage of opportunities that arise. Although the book is aimed at students and new information professionals, much of the advice may apply to a librarian at any stage of his or her career. This book contains advice and anecdotes gathered from research and interviews with more than 70 information professionals in a variety of library-related careers. The book is written in a practical, easy-to-read style. The modular format allows a reader to read any chapter on its own or to read the chapters in any order, choosing which ones are most relevant at any point. The book covers eight broad topics: career planing, job searching, gaining experience and education, developing interpersonal skills and leadership skills, networking, mentoring, and writing for publication. Lengthy lists of related readings, as well as related web sites, are included to allow the reader to follow up on any topic.

About the Author

Priscilla K. Shontz is Branch Librarian-Aldine Branch, Harris County Public Library, Houston, Texas. She is a Past President of the American Library Association New Members Round Table and is editor of the Serials Review column "Bits and Bytes".

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: The Scarecrow Press, Inc. (February 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810840847
• ISBN-13: 978-0810840843
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #220,379 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-read for librarians and information professionals!, January 29, 2002

By	"ramurray73" (Durham, NC, USA) - See all my reviews

Priscilla Shontz, a past president of the American Library Association's New Members Round Table, shares information and gives useful advice on topics like choosing a field, cover letters and resumes, interviewing, networking, mentoring, and publishing.

Supplementing her own perspective are comments from over seventy information professionals. Many of them are experienced librarians, while others are newcomers to the field who share their wisdom about their own personal experiences getting started in the profession. These are perhaps the most enlightening of all: they talk about successes they've had, things they wish they'd done differently, and pitfalls that others can avoid. Their stories are funny, touching, wise, and always enlightening.

Written in a clear, concise, and engaging style, this book fills a big gap in the literature. And it's not just appropriate to those in the early stages of their career -- it would be equally useful to old pros who are looking to re-energize their careers (or those who are mentoring newcomers).

A pleasure! This book should be required reading for all library school students and faculty members -- it's certainly more useful and entertaining (as well as more of a bargain!) than most of the textbooks out there.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Informational but repetitive, June 24, 2004

By A Customer

Although very informational with a mass of websites, organizations, first-hand interviews and books to use as references I found some of the vital points repetitive. It's a great book that could have used a couple more re-writes. Having said that, if I had to do it again I would still buy the book.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great book, February 23, 2008

By	Crystalinda "crystal_downer" (OH United States) - See all my reviews

I'v actually bought this book twice because I was dumb enough to loan it out once. Never again.