Students encouraged to consider a career as a librarian
By Ashlea Gray
Issue date: 3/10/10 Section: News
When you think about your future career, do you consider working in a field that will allow you to help people and constantly learn new information and technology? Then becoming a librarian might be the perfect career for you.
Last Tuesday, a panel of college librarians gathered in the Melvin B. Tolson Black Heritage Center to inform students about a career in librarianship. In attendance were librarians from the University of North Texas (UNT) and the University of Oklahoma (OU), as well as some of Langston's own librarians, including Bettye Black.
Black, the director of library services at Langston, said one of the goals of the event was to encourage more African Americans to join the field. She says that there is a shortage of librarians in general and an extreme shortage of African American librarians. Black also said that more African American librarians are needed to work in historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and Black communities.
Black feels that being a librarian is a great way to make a living and make a difference in people's lives.
"Librarians empower people by offering resources and services to help people better themselves," Black said.
Rhonda Taylor, associate professor for the school of arts and information studies at OU, says that librarianship is important because it is information centered and information is power.
Money is also very important when picking a career and librarians can make anywhere from $30,000 to $100,000, said Charlotte Thomas, program project director for UNT. She says that librarians' salaries depend on the state they work in, their experience, and the type of librarian they decide to be. For example, she said librarians who work for a law firm can make more than librarians at public libraries.
Students interested in a career as a librarian can have an undergraduate degree in any subject, but must have a master's degree in library and information studies. From there, students can choose a specific track within library
sciences.
Taylor said that students in Oklahoma who are interested in earning a master's degree in library and information science should consider OU's program because they offer the only American Library Association accredited master's degree program in the state.
Black says there are many scholarships and internships available for students who are interested in becoming a librarian. For more information, contact her at 405-466-3292.
Last Tuesday, a panel of college librarians gathered in the Melvin B. Tolson Black Heritage Center to inform students about a career in librarianship. In attendance were librarians from the University of North Texas (UNT) and the University of Oklahoma (OU), as well as some of Langston's own librarians, including Bettye Black.
Black, the director of library services at Langston, said one of the goals of the event was to encourage more African Americans to join the field. She says that there is a shortage of librarians in general and an extreme shortage of African American librarians. Black also said that more African American librarians are needed to work in historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and Black communities.
Black feels that being a librarian is a great way to make a living and make a difference in people's lives.
"Librarians empower people by offering resources and services to help people better themselves," Black said.
Rhonda Taylor, associate professor for the school of arts and information studies at OU, says that librarianship is important because it is information centered and information is power.
Money is also very important when picking a career and librarians can make anywhere from $30,000 to $100,000, said Charlotte Thomas, program project director for UNT. She says that librarians' salaries depend on the state they work in, their experience, and the type of librarian they decide to be. For example, she said librarians who work for a law firm can make more than librarians at public libraries.
Students interested in a career as a librarian can have an undergraduate degree in any subject, but must have a master's degree in library and information studies. From there, students can choose a specific track within library
sciences.
Taylor said that students in Oklahoma who are interested in earning a master's degree in library and information science should consider OU's program because they offer the only American Library Association accredited master's degree program in the state.
Black says there are many scholarships and internships available for students who are interested in becoming a librarian. For more information, contact her at 405-466-3292.
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