Library Research Service has a quick survey: The value of an MLIS to you. Students can participate, but they're really aiming for feedback from those in the field. I'm interested to see the results. It doesn't claim to be scientific, but should give a Q&D picture.
I can think of a few fellow students who question the value of an MLIS. But these are the same folks who complain about the workload and the emphasis on theory versus practical training. By the end of the semester, I'm usually with them on the work load. But on the issue of theory vs practicality. I tend to side with the other camp: Give me the theory; I can get the practical training on the job or at training courses. This is a graduate program. For the time, effort and money I am putting into this, I want an education, not a job training program.
I've found that the debate surrounding practical vs theoretical emphasis of MLIS programs is not limited to my program and classmates. At first, I was surprised by this. (Again, master's program...hello?) But different people have different goals and perspectives. Some are pursuing the MLIS purely for advancement. If they've been successful to date without the degree and theoretical background, I can see where they might question its value.
I've also heard many people question: Do you really need a master's degree to do the job? This is particularly true for people outside of the library world. My family and friends were surprised that I needed to pursue (yet another) degree for this career change.
I've joined late in the game, so I'm missing some of the history on this. Is the MLIS requirement relatively new? I heard somewhere that ALA pushed for the MLIS requirement. Is that true? Is so, didn't that action reflect the wishes of the membership?
And maybe all of this is the point of the survey? If so, it barely scratches the surface of the issue.
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See, I find that it depends on the course. With reference, the theory was certainly helpful, but not nearly as beneficial as the hands on experience from the IPL exercise. And there is only so much you can read about reader's advisory and booktalking before you actually have to do it. The first few times at NBFPL I was faced with that task I was stumbling over my words and thinking back to the theory didn't really help much.
On the other hand, I'm thankful for the, then tedious, lectures from Searching because now all that crap is second nature. You need a little of both in our program.
I agree about Reference and POS, but my online Ref class didn't include the IPL exercise! :-( I think that kind of experience is valuable. My problem is with the folks who think that all of the classes should be practical app with zero theory.
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