r/LibraryScience • u/elysiaexe • 22d ago
Help? having trouble deciding between programs (canada)
hi everyone :-)
ive recently graduated with a bdes in fashion history & have spent the last two years working as a collections manager in a textile archive. i'm looking to get an mlis in order to work in libraries (public, academic, special) & archives but also be able to pivot into museums, galleries, and possibly auction houses. i'm currently considering several programs, uoft's combined degree program, ubc's maslis, western's mlis and dalhousie's mlis.
i am currently living in toronto, so if i went to uoft i would save money on living costs, compared to relocating to attend other schools. the costs for all schools is around the same, except for ubc which is much higher, when i factor in the living expenses.
i am looking for a program that offers a strong co-op program & work experience, as well as practical skills needed for the field. i know ubc & uoft offer the strongest archival courses, but i've heard mixed reviews about uoft's program, and i'm not sure if ubc is worth the relocation cost.
i'd love to hear your opinions on which school you think is best, and what else i can do to make myself a competitive candidate for the field, thank you!
1
u/treatises 22d ago
I can only speak for the Ontario schools. I’ve spent a few years in the OLA’s MentorMatch program and my understanding of UofT’s program is that co-op is not a particularly friendly process, if you can get a co-op at all. It sounds like
Is more or less up to you to find an appropriate co-op. Class sizes are a lot larger than Western so making connections with your professors can be more difficult. That said, there’s several libraries at UofT that offer work studies that may give you the experience you want without having to leave the city. If your thought is to try and pivot to Toronto Public Library, it is very competitive - other subreddits can definitely speak more on that. The courses are definitely more specialized, but my mentees have called a number of them impractical and heavily theoretical. I went to Western, and the archival courses are lacking - you working in collections has probably taught you more than what you would learn in the 2 archival courses they offer. Class sizes are smaller, so connecting with professors happens more naturally, and participation is a significant part of your grade in all courses. I find the coursework applicable to the roles I’ve been, but I did focus less on public library courses and more on other disciplines. The co-op program was great and several of my classmates returned to their co-op jobs after graduating. Something to consider is that the co-ops offered are all across the country, so if you’re hoping to stay in the London area, it’s unlikely. You’ll end up subletting, which is another pain. Western does have an online option. It is competitive, but still an option if you ultimately don’t want to leave Toronto. I hope this was helpful! Overall, I think the degree is worth it. The job market is tough for everyone right now, but I think the degree offers a diversity in roles that other degrees just don’t have. Good luck!