Library School: How to Apply and What to Expect

Library schoolWhat to expect and how to

decide

LIBRARY SCHOOL: HOW TO APPLY AND WHAT TO EXPECT

Choosing a LIS course:

• most taught Master’s courses have comparable content overall

• many schools have particular specializations or lean towards a certain type of information work

• differences may simply consist in which modules are compulsory or optional

• different names may be used for the same subjects, or content may be packaged differently

• generally speaking students can assemble a programme to suit their interests

• DO mention at interview anything you particularly want to do

Department of Information Studies University College London

Typical programme content:

• a modular structure to the programme• a taught element of the course, consisting of:

– compulsory modules which may include (for example)• principles of computing• management• cataloguing and classification• information sources and retrieval• collection management• professional awareness

– optional modules• this normally leads to a Diploma in LIS, or equivalent

Department of Information Studies University College London

LIS programme content:

• the research element of the course– research skills training– dissertation of approx. 12-15,000 words

• converts Diploma to Master’s Degree

• both the Diploma and the Master’s are qualificatory for CILIP

Department of Information Studies University College London

Full-time v. modular:

• applications are increasing for part-time study• course content is spread over two years• course takes place on one day each week (but

you can arrange to attend on other days if you wish)

• students gain from their broader experience and the working environment

• course can be extended for up to five years if necessary

• distance learning is another alternative

Department of Information Studies University College London

University College LondonDepartment of Information Studies

Department of Information Studies University College London

Master’s programmes at DIS UCL

• MA Library & Information Studies• MSc Information Science• both accredited by CILIP

• MA Archives & Records Management• MA Publishing• MA Electronic Communication & Publishing• MA Digital Humanities

• MRes

Department of Information Studies University College London

MA Library & Information Studies at UCL:

• provides a broadly based professional education

• equips students for all sectors of the information profession

• offers a skills-based rather than sector-based programme

• exploits the School’s very strong links with the profession

Department of Information Studies University College London

Characteristics of the UCL course:

• traditional LIS core subjects such as cataloguing, classification, and bibliography

• rare books and manuscript studies specializations• children and young persons option• new technology

– electronic publishing – XML– web technologies– digital resources in the humanities– programming and database design

• www.ucl.ac.uk/dis/

Department of Information Studies University College London

Optional courses:

historical bibliographymanuscript studiesinformation work with children and young peopleadvanced cataloguing and classificationdatabase designdigital resources in the humanitiesoral historypublishing todayelectronic publishingweb publishing

Department of Information Studies University College London

Teaching and learning:

• teaching may differ from your first degree• teaching methods

– formal lectures– small group work– seminars– lab sessions– practical classes– project work– students’ independent research and investigation

• there will probably be more emphasis on independent learning• there will probably be more practical work, and more contact

time

Department of Information Studies University College London

Assessment:

• assessment may also be more varied than in a typical humanities degree

• coursework – essays– management reports– presentations– practical exercises– portfolios

• written examinations

Department of Information Studies University College London

Your application:

• keep your paperwork reasonably concise, so that your application is straightforward to deal with

• try and make things neat and legible• tailor your CV to the situation• don’t tell us about ourselves• tell us about yourself, but keep it relevant• make sure you have an academic referee

Department of Information Studies University College London

Pre-Library school experience:

• graduate traineeships usually provide a good all-round foundation for the MA

• however, many students apply from posts as standard library or information assistants

• try to get a realistic sense of what life as an information professional is like

• ask your employers if you can have some exposure to professional level work

• observe what professional staff are doing• read CILIP publications• go to some events, talks or meetings in your region

Department of Information Studies University College London

Good things to have on your CV:

• good first degree (although subject isn’t important)• good IT skills with knowledge of several applications

(e.g. office apps, social media, desktop publishing)• student membership of CILIP• attendance at professional events and/or training• relevant voluntary work• evidence of a life outside work

• not ALL of these are vital• remember this isn’t a job application

Department of Information Studies University College London

The ideal candidate!

• has at least one year’s work experience in the field

• has good basic IT skills• has a commitment to the profession, and a

realistic view of opportunities• has a first or second class degree in any

subject• BUT we do like to have applications from

students with varied backgrounds, so don’t be put off if you don’t exactly fit this ideal

Department of Information Studies University College London

The interview:• we know you’re nervous! • give yourself enough time to allow for any delays, and to find

the department• try and look as if you care whether you get a place• do write yourself a list of things you particularly want to know• don’t assume that an interview automatically guarantees you

a place• many departments hold open days or provide tours of

facilities (UCL’s is Wednesday November 21 http://www.ucl.ac.uk/dis/openday)

• interview styles and formats can vary a lot• graduate trainee websites usually include some personal

accounts of interviews in various places

Department of Information Studies University College London

Recent changes to AHRC funding:

• AHRC replaced the open competition with a Block Grant system in 2009

• universities apply for a lump sum for the whole of their arts and humanities research

• individual institutions then allocate the funds to departments

• this allows us to make our own decisions about who gets the money

• 75% of AHRC funds are committed to this

• however, the Professional Preparation Master’s awards have been cut back this year

• they will disappear entirely in the next round

Department of Information Studies University College London

Sources of funding:

• competition for AHRC funding will be fierce• only students with first class degrees are likely to be

successful• other sources of funds include career development

loans• some departments have local scholarships or bursaries• the majority of full-time students do some paid work• this is often useful in terms of the course • fifteen hours a week is probably the maximum you will

manage• if you need to work more than this, part-time study

might be better

Department of Information Studies University College London

UCL DIS student financial support:

• we shall have 7 AHRC awards for 2013 entry (fees + maintenance)

• fourteen Vickery bursaries (fee waivers)• we also have a bursary funded by the

Worshipful Company of Stationers (fees) www.stationers.org/postgraduate-bursary-scheme.html

Department of Information Studies University College London

Student support:

• all institutions will have good support for students with, for example, disabilities

• every year we have students with various kinds of disabilities and they normally cope very well

• don’t feel that LIS is not a career for you• there is currently a pilot plan in development to

encourage recruitment to the profession from ethnic minority groups (Encompass)

• the pilot will apply initially to the M25 area• details on the CILIP website

Department of Information Studies University College London

Placements: • most courses include placements for full-time

students– range of employment types, particularly so in

London– aim to widen students’ existing work

experience– on some courses more substantial practical

work or projects may be undertaken– contacts can lead to full-time employment

opportunities

Department of Information Studies University College London

Employment opportunities:

• UCL students enter all sectors– traditionally we have a bias towards academic, research and

government libraries

• opportunities in public libraries were getting better• current cuts in local authority posts may not have

seriously affected professional posts • we have a very high rate of ‘graduate’ employment

– virtually all students are employed three months after qualification

• employers often approach us when recruiting• there are an increasing number of ‘non-conventional’

jobs available

Department of Information Studies University College London

Some recent student destinations:

• Courtauld Institute• Eton College• Arts & Humanities Data Service• Victoria & Albert Museum• Slaughter and May• Guildhall School of Music• Sackler Library Oxford• Scotland Yard• Special collections UCL• Imperial College London• Natural History Museum• London Library• Lambeth Palace• Fire Services College

• RSPB• Department for Education & Skills• London Borough of Brent• National Institute for Clinical Excellence

(NICE)• Inst. of Advanced Legal Studies• Friends’ House (Quakers) • National Autistic Society• National Maritime Museum• National Trust• St. Bride Printing Library• Hillingdon Schools Library Service• Netherlands National Library• SOAS• Caius College Cambridge

Department of Information Studies University College London

Department of Information Studies University College London