Introduction to the Profession

The study of library and information science is mainly user focused with concern for the creation, management and uses of information. Its core values are presented by the American Library Association (ALA) on their site. For those of us trying to get our Masters of Library and Information Science (MLIS), it can be a struggle to explain the value in "library school." Michael Kelley's article at libraryjournal.com is a great jumping off point for new library students. Within the article, Kelley raises many concerns about the worth of an ML(I)S, and I found the comments to be a great place to get engaged with the debate of the validity of this degree.

Also, as a beginning student, it is good to have resources for professional LIS organizations. Below are the sites for 4 organizations of specialists within the LIS field:

• www.ala.org
• www2.archivists.org
• www.asis.org
• www.sla.org

Basically, if you are contemplating a degree in library science, or have just started a degree, it is important to know the realities of your future with this degree, and have contacts to the organizations within the field that could help you land your dream job.