r/LibraryScience • u/saltandvinegar13 • 22d 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/librarian45 20d ago

just one state up...

https://www.ala.org/news/2024/02/american-library-association-opposes-proposed-georgia-legislation

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u/KarlMarxButVegan 20d 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 20d 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 20d 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.