Jump Start Your Career in Library and Information Science

Jump Start Your Career in Library and Information Science is designed to help new librarians begin to manage a successful and satisfying career in the library and information science profession. Although the first years are often overwhelming, they can be the key to creating a successful career as a librarian or information professional. Unless one is fortunate enough to have good mentors or strong support groups, a new librarian may drift into an unsatisfying career. This book emphasizes the value of defining one's own idea of success and of positioning one's self to be prepared to take advantage of opportunities that arise. Although the book is aimed at students and new information professionals, much of the advice may apply to a librarian at any stage of his or her career. This book contains advice and anecdotes gathered from research and interviews with more than 70 information professionals in a variety of library-related careers. The book is written in a practical, easy-to-read style. The modular format allows a reader to read any chapter on its own or to read the chapters in any order, choosing which ones are most relevant at any point. The book covers eight broad topics: career planning, job searching, gaining experience and education, developing interpersonal skills and leadership skills, networking, mentoring, and writing for publication. Lengthy lists of related readings, as well as related web sites, are included to allow the reader to follow up on any topic.

Priscilla K. Shontz is a librarian at Lone Star College-Montgomery in the Houston, Texas, USA, area. She has worked as a student assistant, paraprofessional, and librarian in university, community-college, public, medical, and private-school libraries. She is the co-editor of A Day in the Life: Career Options in Library and Information Science and co-author of What Do Employers Want? A Guide for Library Science Students (both with Richard A. Murray). She is a past president of ALA's New Members Round Table.