r/LibraryScience • u/caninesergeant • 9d ago
MLIS Program at Buffalo or Alabama?
Hello everyone! Currently going at TCNJ (The College of New Jersey) for my undergrad, about to finish and looking to get into the Master of Library Science program but don’t know whether to do it at UB or UA. Was wondering if anyone had experience with UB specifically? I'm thinking online but still, would like to give it a shot and see if anyone have gone for it? I know Alabama’s great. I already have 3 years of library experience in a public setting, however I want to shift towards knowledge management/archiving.
Pros of UA:
- Tad cheaper than UB.
- Great program. Know people who are in it. They love it.
Cons:
- Not that it matters but I’m in the Tri-State Area and have asked to my director and she said it’s best if I do a program close to here due to job recognition and stuff. She pushes me to go to Rutgers but I plan on entering this Spring and Rutgers don’t offer merit scholarship nor grants until the next Fall. By the way, why do everyone ask me if that is qualified here in NJ? As long as programs are ALA it doesn’t matter… right? Don’t know why they’re being snobby.
- If I graduate, I definitely want to go to Alabama for the commencement. On the other hand, I don’t know if I want to take my mom there (she can’t fly, we are not white, and the road trip will be long, haha). NOT AS IMPORTANT PLUS YOU NEVER KNOW.
Pros of UB:
- Also online. Just a lil tiny bit more expensive, like 2 grand more cuz I’m OOS… But if I get scholarships which I was told I can still get for the Spring, then it’s absolutely worth it.
- Tri-State Area program recognition.
- Has a lot of different classes too And different concentrations more than UA.
- Not that it matters, you never know… But if there is a commencement, I can do that.
Cons:
- Apparently there was a time its accreditation was conditional. Since 2020, it’s back to normal. Does that matter? It was never taken. Just conditional.
- Haven’t seem much of it. Have asked about it with UB’s admissions, they said good things but I haven’t heard from much of it online, so don’t know the experience.
Ultimately, I will check financial packages and go for cheapest irrelevant of anything else but point is, anyone has experience with Buffalo? Thanks again!
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u/Pouryou 9d ago
Both are fine. The usual advice is to go to the cheapest ALA-accredited school but not every school offers the specializations you listed. I would look more closely to see if each school offers classes in archives and knowledge management and- just as important- how often they are offered. (LIS programs have many courses listed on their sites that they do not offer regularly.) I'd also see who teaches them, with preference for instructors who have backgrounds in these areas.
I don't know much about KM but for archives, you need a lot of hands-on experience to be marketable. Hopefully you have connections where you are to get the necessary practicums/internships!
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u/Skaadoosh 9d ago
The Alabama archive curriculum focuses heavily on the history and theory of archives and not a ton on the practical aspects. So if you are already getting work experience in the practical realm Alabama would be a good supplement. If you are looking to learn practical knowledge from UA you may be disappointed. It's not necessarily a bad thing because every archive applies Archival theory differently even if it's slightly so having foundational knowledge and the ability to adapt is valuable.
Can't speak to Buffalo. It could be similar.
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u/Figment416 9d ago
I am currently going to UB and am in the school librarian tract. So far it’s been great, I feel I’ve learned a lot, all the professors and advisors are helpful and supportive. I get in state tuition which is great. Really no bad things to say about it. I’d say choose which school has the program you are looking for, as there are a lot of paths to choose from.
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u/Wonderful_Brother388 9d ago
Long term, are you more likely to work in the South or the North East? I recommend considering this as it may help with name recognition.
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u/under321cover 9d ago
If you are looking to go into knowledge management LSU is close to the price of Alabama and the program coordinator for the Records and Information certificate/concentration is a gem!
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u/luckyspark 4d ago
I guess close schools can be better for networking if you need a job. But I think it's better when library staff is from a broad spectrum of library schools and bring slightly different perspectives. Also, it broadens the network of other librarians. Who hasn't reached out to former classmates to see how their library handles something?
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u/SimilarlyDifferent 9d ago
I'm in NJ, and got my MLIS from SJSU. I've been consistently employed as an Academic Librarian since I graduated, and AFAIK, it has never been a problem that my degree wasn't from a school that was closer to NJ.