Taking the PlungePursuing a Library Degree Mid-Career

Facilitated by: Debbie Kaleva & Suzanne van den Hoogen

Education Institute WebinarApril 2013

Welcome

NSCC Pictou Campus Library Angus L. Macdonald Library, StFX

Introductions

Suzanne van den Hoogen received her BA from Saint Mary’s University in 1991. She worked in academic libraries for more than ten years before making the decision to pursue her MLIS degree. Entering graduate school in her late 30’s, Suzanne obtained her MLIS degree in 2009 from the Dalhousie School of Information Management. She is currently employed as an academic librarian with St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, NS.

Debbie Kaleva received her Library Technician diploma from Sheridan College in 1976 and has worked in university, hospital and community college libraries for almost 25 years. She made the decision to return to school in her mid-40s and received her BA from St. Francis Xavier University in 2006 while working full-time. She graduated from Dalhousie University with her MLIS degree in 2008, and is currently employed as the campus librarian at the Nova Scotia Community College – Pictou Campus in Stellarton, NS.

Before we begin…

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Presentation OutlineMaking the DecisionThe Value of MentorsManaging ExpectationsCourse SelectionReturning to WorkChallenges & OpportunitiesGraduate Schools

CanadaInternational

Funding OpportunitiesSuggested Readings

Making the Decision - Debbie

Autonomy

Job Satisfaction

Family & Age

Undergraduate Degree

Taking the Plunge!

Making the Decision: Suzanne

Serendipity

Time

Family & Children

Education & Research

Taking the Plunge!

Mentors - Debbie

• Library Director• Immediate Supervisor

Encouragement & Support

• Educational InstitutionEnvironment

• Other professionals & colleagues

Influence & Motivation

Mentors - Suzanne

• Library Director• Immediate Supervisor

Encouragement & Support

• Educational InstitutionEnvironment

• Other professionals & colleagues

Influence & Motivation

Managing Expectations

Debbie

Coping with Workload• Compartmentalizing• Organization• Being Realistic Online/Distance Education CoursesProfessional Development OpportunitiesMoneyClassroom Demographics

Suzanne

MoneyProfessional Development OpportunitiesFamily: Child CareOnline/Distance EducationCoursesPart-time Studies

Course Selection - Debbie

Considerations:• Type of Library • Required versus Elective Courses• On-line versus On-campus courses• Pre-approval to take Courses

• Academic vs Public• Elective vs• Required• Practical vs Theoretical• Online vs In-person• Technology

Returning to Work - Debbie

Be Realistic

Have Patience

Embrace Change

Life-long learning

Professional Associations

Returning to Work: Suzanne

Status Quo

Market Yourself

Opportunities

Keep Current

Committees

Volunteer

Persevere

Challenges & Opportunities

Debbie Suzanne

Graduate Schools: Canada

Graduate Schools: ALA Searchable Database

http://www.ala.org/CFApps/lisdir/index.cfm

Funding Possibilities

Student LoansUniversity Scholarships, BursariesEmployment incentives/opportunities

Part-time studiesLibrary AssociationsProvincial Tax incentives

Suggested ReadingsBuchanan, E., Myers, S. E., & Hardin, S. L. (2005). Holding your hand from a distance:

Online mentoring and the graduate library and information science student. Journal of Educators Online, 2(2), 2.

Hak Joon Kim, & Kusack, J. M. (2005). Distance education and the new MLS: The employer's perspective. Journal of Education for Library and Information Science, 46(1), 36-52.

Pollard, S. (2007). Focus on new professionals. Feliciter, 53(2), 68-69.

Poremba, M. (2008). Just Do LIT: A student perspective. Feliciter, 54(2), 65-67.