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Regardless of your employer's size, type, scope or budget, they may be able to provide multiple student benefits, including financial aid, academic and social support, schedule flexibility, professional development, and career coaching.
Want to start the conversation with your supervisor? Here’s a handy pitch letter.
Dear [insert supervisor name here],
I hope you are doing well. Thank you for [note something they helped you on within the last week].
I have been reflecting on my academic and career goals and would like to explore next steps toward librarianship. I recently learned about an initiative called Pathways to Leadership at Brooklyn Public Library that provides funding and support for library workers aspiring to become librarians and leaders.
Can we discuss what kinds of existing and prospective resources and supports may be available to me at [insert name of library system]? Let me know what you think and when you are available.
I look forward to discussing this further.
Kind regards,
[insert name here]
Applying to Library School
Before Starting Applications for MLIS Programs
☐ Build a balanced list of programs to apply to.
- Determine your budget and non-negotiables (for example, your program must be remote).
- Apply to at least three programs to ensure you have options. Ideally, include some programs you can expect to be accepted to and others that may be more competitive or challenging to get into.
- Ensure the programs you want to apply to are accredited by the American Library Association (ALA).
- Attend program information sessions to familiarize yourself with specific program requirements.
☐ If you have any masters-level credits from years prior, inquire with the Bursar’s Office at individual universities to see if your credits would be transferrable for MLIS programs and count towards an MLIS degree.
Working on Your Applications
☐ Reach out to your local public library for support updating your resume.
☐ Draft your statement of interest (also referred to as a personal statement).
- Statements of interest add context, clarity and nuance to rest of your application and are a space to share your future ambitions.
- Individual schools may have slightly different asks for a statement of interest. Although you will write one general statement, you can tailor small sections of it to different programs and their unique prompts.
☐ Reach out to three professional and/or academic connections who can write reference letters for you.
- Remember that professional references do not need to include supervisors. References can also be from previous, non-library-related work experience.
- Give your references a deadline that is earlier than your applications are due to ensure the letters are ready to go when you submit your applications.
- Remember: your references may not get notification to submit their letters until you submit your application, so plan on submitting your application a few days early to avoid your application being considered incomplete by the deadline.*
☐ Reach out to school admissions offices and ask if they have application fee waivers available.
☐ Secure your unofficial or official transcript, depending on what your school requires for its application process.
Submitting
☐ Do a final edit of your statement of interest.
- Check for typos!
- Read your statement out loud to make sure it flows well.
☐ *Don’t wait until the last day your applications are due to submit; plan on submitting applications at least two days in advance.
☐ Celebrate! Applying to MLIS programs is a huge feat in itself and you should be extremely proud of taking this next step toward your future.
You can also check out How to Choose Your Library School which, although it was written a decade ago, is still extremely relevant and useful for those applying to MLIS programs.
Additional Resources
- Course registration checklist
- Course checklist
- Networking 101 guide (including email templates)
- Scholarship database (to fund MLIS degrees and graduate school, in general)
- FAFSA guide
Staff Picks
- Resources for Current and Aspiring LIS Students
