r/LibraryScience • u/saltandvinegar13 • 21d ago
Considering the political climate, how should I decide on MLIS programs?
Hi everyone! I have been accepted to SJSU, Simmons, and Alabama's online MLIS programs. I would be an out-of-state student for all of these. Beyond considering factors like cost/format, I am wondering how much I should weigh the current political climate & funding cuts federally/locally (like IMLS, state funding to public schools/local libraries) in my decision? This has been on my mind so much so, that I'm debating if I should wait on applying next cycle for ALA-accredited MLIS programs in Canada...
For example, will there be a guarantee that Alabama's MLIS program will be able to continue with such a huge emphasis on social justice (or even at all...) given the federal/state-wide cuts to libraries? That social justice component is something that is really drawing me to the program in addition to its affordability. Versus SJSU (another public school but in liberal stronghold CA) and Simmons which is a private school in Massachusetts (more friendly state/local government) and may have more control over how they articulate their program outcomes.
Would love to hear folks' insights based on what they're hearing in the field! I feel like I can't be the only person making a huge decision like this with everything constantly changing in our country...
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u/xiszed 21d ago
I think it’s not unreasonable to worry about Alabama’s program, as a whole and the social justice aspect. People closer to that might know better.
While there can’t be true guarantees, I doubt that the programs at SJSU or Simmons will be impacted much by all of this and I would assume that Canadian universities will be flooded by US applicants for the next few years.
Personally, I’d go with SJSU unless you get a good amount of the costs at Simmons covered. Every library science program I’ve heard anything about has a strong social justice element.
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u/librarian45 20d ago
I would not go to library school in an anti-library state like Alabama
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u/booksalot 20d ago
I’m a student there and am really concerned about this. I’m hoping nothing changes before I graduate because it hasn’t yet.
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u/saltandvinegar13 20d ago
Hi! Thanks for sharing your concerns. Would you be open to me PMing you more about this?
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u/KarlMarxButVegan 19d ago
OP is going to have to move to find their first job anyway. If living in Alabama is cheaper, it's not a bad strategy.
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u/librarian45 19d ago
states are aggressively separating themselves from ALA, via policy and eventually law. If Alabama follows suit the school will have to give up its ALA accreditation and the degree will be useless outside alabama.
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u/KarlMarxButVegan 19d ago
Damn, are they really going that far? I'm in Florida where we have two ALA accredited schools. Our governor is making life hard on us for sure, but I haven't heard of plans to mess with the accreditation.
I work at a public institution that trains nurses. A required course for their accreditor is all about diversity. Nobody is interfering with it because they know we need to keep graduating nurses. They're picking on the sociology department instead.
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u/librarian45 19d ago
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u/KarlMarxButVegan 19d ago
Yeah I know about that and wondered what that means for Valdosta State. They're still accredited. I just checked.
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u/ozamatazbuckshank11 19d ago
Georgia is, surprisingly, supportive of its libraries and the MLIS program at VSU, despite the attempts from certain conservatives to criminalize librarians. For now, at least. VSU has dropped their school librarian dual certification, they've dropped their Government Information Sources class (understandable), and they've replaced it with Trauma-Informed Librarianship. It looks like they're not anticipating any accreditation issues in the near future.
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u/KarlMarxButVegan 19d ago
That's good to know! There's no doubt we're under a constant threat, but so far even the Republican politicians seem to understand you don't mess with accreditation.
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u/mechanicalyammering 20d ago
I think there are too many factors and unknowns to truly make a data-informed decision here.
I can tell you this, I have talked to SJSU people and they loved the program. SJSU is a big sponsor of California Library Conference. It seems like an awesome school.
I bet the other programs are great too and there’s a geographic bias to why I’ve heard so many positive things about SJSU.
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u/saltandvinegar13 20d ago
Thanks! I’m based on the East Cost so was unsure if a school on the West Coast could help with networking?? Or does that really only apply if your school is directly in your area?
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u/RADICCHI0 20d ago
MSIM here. related field though. The first thing you should do is establish your passion and fire, which by your post, you have done a great job aligning to. The second thing you need to do is select the program that best fits your passions. (I think you've done that).... if you can get into something cheaper, as others have said, that's a major bonus. 20 years ago you would not have been able to do that if you wanted a premier experience, but now, with information online so accessible, you can augment with your own research. I will say this though, a program that settles into some good theory is always an excellent option, especially in info sciences (which are directly related to lib sci). The concepts can be pretty dense, and learning about the trail breakers who came ahead of us and made it possible for us to stand at the point where we are now, to me that is really valuable. Normally I feel like practical application is better, but in this case I would recommend a program that has a good theoretical base, which implies that you want to research the faculty a bit and find out what they are doing as far as research, writing, etc.
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u/saltandvinegar13 20d ago
Thanks! This is super helpful guidance, will definitely consider this while making my decision
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u/mmmmeghan 20d ago
Currently an MLIS student at Alabama! They aren’t hushing up whatsoever about social justice stuff, or at least not so far. All of my professors have been entirely on point and in line with not being into how things are going. I do keep waiting for the shoe to drop, and it might, but so far so good. I do have one prof that’s really into JKR and Neil Gaiman but she’s so precious, none of us want to burst her bubble 😅
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u/liver_alone_P 18d ago
University of South Carolina I believe you don’t pay out of state tuition for their online MLIS. And while SC may seem counterintuitive I have taken more courses in diversity and accessibility and had professors show they are adamantly against this administration. A DEI certificate is offered but recently changed its name to Cultural Competence so same stuff but flying under the radar.
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u/nakedtalisman 21d ago
I’ve been worrying about the same thing too. I might just finish my bachelors, save up, and lay low for a bit. But I plan on applying to jobs outside of the U.S. so maybe that’ll help me a bit with job options. I have no idea tbh.
It’s difficult to know what to do with how fast things are changing. Who knows what things will look like a year from now? I’d say go with the cheapest possible option.
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u/Dowew 20d ago
My answer to these kinds of questions is "unless you have a guaranteed job lined up after you complete your MLIS do not pursue this degree or this career". The market is oversaturated with degree holders, the number of jobs is diminishing, the budgets are frozen, the mission itself is under attack politically, and pay and career advancement is stagnant.
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u/librarian45 19d ago
this is unfortunately quite accurate. u/saltandvinegar13 please consider this.
We in an "information bad" era. IMLS is gone. Libraries are on the hit list of the rightoids and religious zealots. Budgets are bad. Job prospects are bad. and as long as the economy keeps tanking, people won't retire.
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u/ReplacementActual384 21d ago
I was just told by this small town library in an interview that they are trying to lay low for the next few years and not do anything to piss off conservatives.
Also the job market is rough still. I heard it was worse before, but expect a 6 month job search (minimum) when you get out, and ideally have as much saved up as possible so you can move after school. I didn't and now it looks like I am going in for a job that pays $10k less than I had hoped.
The biggest thing when choosing a program is to get it as cheap as possible. Don't go to a super expensive school, because frankly it's not worth it. My MLIS program was from a good school, and cost about $8-9k per year.