Re-envisioning the MLIS: Assessing MLIS

Transcript:Re-envisioning the MLIS: Assessing MLIS:
Re-envisioning the MLIS: Assessing MLIS Preparation for Emerging Public Library Leaders Team H: Anna Mattonen, Katrina Ortega, Carolyn Reagle, Pauline Stacchini In PLA’s April e-newsletter, the group submitted the following question and received these results: The team decided to conduct its own research by interviewing different stakeholders about how their MLIS education prepared them for their first library position and what skills/competencies they believe are essential to a 21st century librarian. Research method: What 3-5 skills do you think are important for the 21st century public librarian? Stakeholders interviewed: Directors, hiring managers Public librarians with < 5 yrs experience Public librarians with > 5 yrs experience Current MLIS faculty Notable quotes: When given the prompt, “Wow, I wish I could have learned THAT in school”: “Community Outreach, particularly understanding how libraries differ in various community settings” On being prepared to tackle evolving technologies: ““Can you handle change and are you a lifelong learner?” On what prepared recent grads best for their work in public libraries: “Internships were always the best form of education in my opinion - seeing first hand the day-to-day tasks that people had to do.” On the importance of continuing education: “The degree is only the beginning of the learning that librarians need to do to provide innovative and responsive services to their communities.” Research Conclusions: Current MLIS education has gaps that need filled in the future if we are to keep this field competitive and healthy. It is still unclear whether mandated fieldwork or a percentage of course curricula becoming standardized across programs is the answer, though these are areas that accreditors might want to explore. Next steps: More in depth surveying Closer look at current class offerings etc. Coming up with a curriculum to meet the needs of the workplace A closer look at the research: http://bit.ly/1Xx2mo2