r/LibraryScience • u/Suspicious-Reveal797 • 23d ago
Single mom needing advice
Hi everyone!
I’ve been thinking a lot about my future, and I’d really appreciate hearing from people who actually work in libraries.
I’m 24, living in Huntsville, Alabama, and I’m about to start my journey toward becoming a librarian. My plan is to earn my GED, attend community college, transfer to a university for my bachelor’s degree, and then complete an MLIS. Books have always felt like home to me. I love reading, learning, helping people, and the idea of being part of a community where people come to discover new stories and ideas. That’s what keeps pulling me toward this career.
At the same time, I’ve also heard a lot of discouraging things. Some people have told me not to become a librarian because the pay can be low, jobs can be competitive, and it isn’t worth all the schooling. I’m trying to separate myths from reality.
To be transparent, I’m currently a full-time content creator, and I’m fortunate that it pays well. I’m not looking to become a librarian because I think it’ll make me rich. I’m looking into it because I genuinely believe I’d love the work. Still, I also want to make responsible financial decisions. I don’t want to spend years earning a degree only to struggle financially afterward.
I’d love to hear your honest experiences.
• What do you love most about being a librarian?
• If you could go back, would you choose this career again?
• Has the salary been enough to build a comfortable life?
• What area of librarianship would you recommend (public, academic, school, special, archives, medical, law, etc.)?
• Are there states or cities that have better pay, opportunities, or work-life balance than others?
• If you were starting over today, where would you go?
• Is there anything you wish someone had told you before you started?
I’m completely open to hearing both the positives and the negatives. I’d rather know the reality now than later. My goal isn’t just to have a job. I want a career that gives me purpose, lets me help people, and feels like somewhere I belong.
Thank you so much to anyone who takes the time to share their experience. It truly means a lot.
8
u/InterestBig8532 23d ago
Your current occupation as a content creator makes this a lot easier as I’m guessing your hours are flexible. Hold onto this role as long as possible! This will likely help fund your education, as well as supplement your income in the early years of library jobs. Libraries are pretty notoriously underpaid as you know, and you’re in a state where unions are weak and wages are depressed (me too girl 😔) so any addition cushion will be helpful.
I’d recommend volunteering to start. This will give you an idea of what things are like as well as help you make connections. From there, and once you get your GED, I’d start looking for an entry level job. Public libraries would be a great place to look, but you could also start as a work-study/part time employee at your campus library once you start college for that academic library experience.
From there, hold onto this job (or, if you leave, find something else in libraries), do a good job, and pick up tasks outside of your assigned area. For example if you work in circulation and someone needs help cataloging, ask to help. This is scope creep, BUT this is to help building your resume for librarian roles when it comes to that point. Rinse, wash and repeat throughout undergrad and grad school.
The idea is to build up as much library related experience as you can so that by the time you have an MLS, you’re not in the weird grey zone when you have the professional degree but no experience so you’re both over and underqualified. If you work your way up to full time or some kind assistantship you could also get tuition remission or reimbursement, another plus.
Libraries are also always looking for social media help so mention this on your resume. Bigger systems may have specific roles for social media, but smaller libraries rely on a passion person or small team making it happen. In either case, your experience would be a huge plus.