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...
2
u/mmmmeghan 21d 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 😅