Jump to content
librarycareersny.org Discover the Possibilities
Diverse group of students

Careers > Careers Outside of Libraries

Careers Outside of Libraries

What else can you do with a library and information science degree?

In our more networked world, a wealth of online discussion can be found on careers. Some of the paths individuals have forged can be found in this online article in a recent newsletter from UNYSLA, the Upstate NY Special Libraries Association.

A recent ALA Library Journal article describes new service trends in libraries and careers that are technology-based.

An MLS (Master of Library Science) or MLIS (Master of Library & Information Science) prepares students for library work, but some graduates use their education in non-library settings. MLS/MLIS graduates working outside the library include:

  • Book publishing workers who use their knowledge of books to choose and edit manuscripts
  • Chief information officers who decide which information technology a business needs and how employees will share information
  • Content managers who find and organize material for online communities
  • Database administrators who organize, update, and store data using extensive programming skills
  • Information brokers who conduct research for people who contract for it
  • Sales workers who sell software and other products to libraries
  • Taxonomists who work for data processing and e-commerce companies by classifying information about putting it in appropriate categories
  • Webmasters who design, maintain, and program web sites
  • (Source: Librarians: Information Experts in the Information Age PDF)

Read more about non-traditional career opportunities

  • Librarians in the Information Age: Alternative Uses of MLS Degrees

Professional Organizations

  1. Association of Independent Information Professionals
  2. American Society for Indexing
  3. ARMA International - Records & Information Management

 

Back to top back to top

“Librarians can change lives in their communities,”

building connections and conduits to information and services.

 

 

 

Job Outlook Information

ALA Get A Job Toolkit

New career paths in libraries in technology from ALA

RSS Feed Keep up to date with new additions to this site by subscribing to our RSS feed

RSS Feed What is RSS?