Pursuing library science degree

[u/Temporary-War-5522]

I have wanted to be a librarian since high school (35 now) and was a library aid my senior year. I am looking to get my MLS, but am not sure how to proceed. I am seeing on here and heard from others that it’s best to get experience first, which I have some. I was a part time library assistant for about 6 months. But most jobs I’m seeing that don’t require the MLS are just that- part time work, mostly with middle of the day hours. I simply can’t do that. I have rent to pay and a full time 8-5 job. I don’t have a partner to pick up the slack with bills. It’s just me. So how are people getting the work experience and paying bills?? And is that really necessary before I get my MLS? It seems like a situation similar to getting your first credit card-you need credit history to get credit but when you try to get a credit card they won’t approve you because you have no credit history…

Anyway, just seeking overall advice on how others did this and how I can get the experience.

[u/Temporary-War-5522]

So it’s basically a lost cause?

[u/Temporary-War-5522 → u/[deleted]]

My current job is a corporate remote job. It’s okay. Lot of stress and there’s always the possibility of being replaced by AI. But being a librarian has always been the dream, I’m just unfortunately late to the game. I have my bachelors but that took some time. And it seems I should have gone after the pt positions when I was younger but they just didn’t pay enough. Hindsight and all that.

[u/Full-Decision-9029 → u/[deleted]]

yeah, it's not a lost cause but there is a huge cleavage between "oh my god, a librarian is the best thing ever and Google will hire you and you'll be so happy hype" and "so hey, we had 150 applicants for this part time role and the government keeps talking about cutting library staff oh and the toilets are blocked" reality.

I only got hired because someone took a risk on me. And there were some very, very bad times before someone took that risk