Georgia Library Association Paraprofessional Division

Careers and Job Listings

Careers

Many job listings for library jobs begin their criteria with the statement "ALA-accredited MLS required." Valdosta State University is offering a MLIS, but they are currently not accredited.  However, the Master of Library and Information Science Program at Valdosta State University has been granted precandidacy status by the Committee on Accreditation of the American Library Association. Precandidacy status is an indication that the Master of Library and Information Science Program at Valdosta State University has voluntarily committed to participate in the ALA accreditation process and is actively seeking accreditation.  Florida State University (http://www.fsu.edu/~lis/) also offers an ALA-accredited MLS entirely over the internet. 

Be aware that while some institutions offer a Library Science degree at the Bachelor's level, most graduate schools will not admit applicants holding such degrees to their MLS program -- if you plan to go on to earn an MLS, you should have an undergraduate degree in a subject other than library science.

An alternative method of "determining that an applicant has the background recommended for each category" (LEPU #20) would be some type of certification. While there are no national standards, several states have implemented programs for their own use (in some cases limited to public library personnel). 

"Certain practical skills and procedures at all levels are best learned on the job than in the academic profession." (LEPU #27) Some sources of training for people currently employed in any capacity by any library are listed on our Continuing Education page  (http://adminservices.clayton.edu/library/GLA/Education.htm).   In fact, LEPU emphasizes this matter in #33: "Continuing Education is essential for all library personnel, professional and supportive, whether they remain within a position category or are preparing to move into a higher one."

While each library employee must take ultimate responsibility for their own career, "Library administrators must accept responsibility for providing support and opportunities (in the form of leaves, sabbaticals, and released time) for the continuing education of their staffs." (LEPU #35)

Job Listings

The state's Office of Public Library Services maintains a listing of Support Staff openings (http://www.georgialibraries.org/lib/jobs.html) which may include jobs in public, academic or special libraries (corporate or non-profit).   Other sections of this site list jobs requiring an MLS. All jobs listed at this site must be submitted specifically for inclusion here; you can add a listing for an opening at http://www.georgialibraries.org/lib/jobadd.php.

If you're interested in a job with a particular system or institution, you should check their own web site for information. Since the OPLS site only includes listings submitted for inclusion, the listing may not be complete.

This site last updated: June 06, 2007