A must-have guide of professional development resources for library staff at every phase of their career—from those just entering the field, to paraprofessionals building a career trajectory, to seasoned librarians looking to explore additional career options. Thousands of students graduate with a Master of Library and Information Science degree every year. Unfortunately, budget cuts at libraries diminish available job opportunities and prompt administrators to hire less qualified—and less expensive—professionals. However, armed with the right information, library science professionals can successfully build and sustain a resilient library and information science (LIS) career inside—or outside—the traditional library setting. LIS Career Sourcebook: Managing and Maximizing Every Step of Your Career provides a chapter-by-chapter overview of key career stages and strategies, and identifies for each the best information resources to help readers develop a successful LIS career. The author lays out the typical stages that workers are likely to encounter as they move through their professional life, highlighting important issues associated with each stage and providing insights and resources for making smart career choices along the way. Covering the entire career lifespan from entry level to retirement, the resources cited will help readers make informed choices about career options, professional development, and personal career satisfaction.

Table of Contents:
Contents Acknowledgments Introduction Chapter 1: The LIS Career Universe Framing Your Career Options Who Needs What Information? Exploring Your Career Options Resources Chapter 2: LIS Education Options Do You Need an MLIS? Finding an MLIS Program Evaluating MLIS Programs What about Online Programs and iSchools? What Courses to Take Financial Aid Sources Does Getting an MLIS Make Sense? 5 Resources Chapter 3: LIS Job Hunting Decide on Potential Job Opportunities/Career Paths Research the Relevant Job Market(s) Understand Your Value Proposition Polish Your Job-Hunting Tools (E-Portfolios, Resumes, and Cover Letters) Build Your Professional Brand Online before Applying for Jobs Launch Your Job Search Interviewing and Negotiating Should New Grads Take Non-LIS Jobs? Temping as an Interim Job Solution Resources Chapter 4: Start Your Career off Right Communicating Effectively Becoming an Effective Team Player Responding Positively to Change Getting Things Done Staying Professionally Current Importance of Self-Leadership to Your Career Resources Chapter 5: Learning What Will You Need to Learn? How and Where Will You Learn? Finding Your Learning Path Resources Chapter 6: Building Your Professional Network What Is a Professional Network? Building and Sustaining Your Professional Community Introverted? You Can Still Build a Network Still a Student? Start Building Your Network in Grad School Networking Strategy Benefits of a Professional Network Resources Chapter 7: Establishing Your Professional Brand Key Characteristics of a Professional Brand Career Branding, Social Media, and Introverts Building Your Brand in Grad School Why Your Professional Brand Is Really Important to Your Career Resources Chapter 8: Managing What Is Management? Management Insights Key Management Challenges Resources Chapter 9: Leading Definition of Leadership Becoming a Leader—The Outside Perspective Becoming a Leader—The LIS Perspective Gender/Gen-Y Frames and Leadership Resources Chapter 10: Going the Independent Route Types of Independent Work Is Being an Independent for You? Ways to Approach Independent Work Questions to Consider before You Leap Creating Additional Revenue Streams From Solo to Small Business (and Everything in Between) Resources Chapter 11: Transition Points: Finding Opportunity in Change Taking a Career Time-out Relocating Your Career Moving into a New LIS Career Opportunity or Industry When Your Career Change Is a Layoff Retiring—Or Not Exploring New Directions Resources Appendix: ALA, CLA, and SLA Groups Index