While finding an internship in a museum is good advice and a good way to
get one's foot in the door, I disagree with Mike Rippy's assertion that
an MLS degree is a solid credential for a library OR museum. An MLS
degree is a solid credential for a library position, not a museum
position generally speaking. With 17 years of museum experience (I have
an MA in museum studies) I recommend that if someone wants to work in a
museum, working with collections and conservation and preservation of
collections, or exhibitions, he or she obtain an MA or certificate in
museum studies - not an MLS. There might be some overlap, but an MLS
degree is not good preparation by itself for strictly museum work. I
don't understand why Mike Rippy would say that "The MLS degree is a
solid credential for either setting." I am not against library degrees,
they are fine, but someone with a MLS degree may not be well qualified
for museum work based on degree alone.
Arlyn Danielson
Newseum
-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Rippy [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, December 17, 2003 12:14 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Library Science and Museum Work
You are putting yourself in a great position. The MLS degree is a solid
credential for either setting. Since you are obtaining a library degree
and have a museum interest you might want to shift some focus on
archival principals and techniques. This will give you some potential
with conservation work as well. I would look at some salary data also
to be sure you will be in the range you would like. Academic libraries
tend to appreciate their employees a bit more when it comes to
compensation. If a museum environment is where you truly want to be, I
would really take a look at which department you would want to work with
and then focus classes in that direction. Getting an internship will
definitely give you the greatest edge in a museum. Getting an
internship at the museum you would one day hope to work with will really
give you a bump. A lot of the interns here have a leg up on any
applicants because they have built a working relationship with the full
time employees. The employer knows their work ethic. If you want to
maintain the excitement of the new developments in library studies and
museum studies be sure to check and ask about the future of the
organization you will be interning or working for. Where are they in
their technology programs. And throw some terms, programs, and
specifics on what you are interested in around when asking questions to
get a solid read on what you might be getting yourself into. Talk to
your future supervisor before committing to an internship. I received
my MLS last May. I have been working in the Photography Department here
for the last 4 years while going to school. Our department is really
moving in a positive direction for new technologies, image management,
etc. I cant think of another department I would want to work with. And
the MLS degree really gives us a great heads up on new technology,
cataloguing our archive, presenting the data to users and preserving
museum assets. So the bottom line is TRY to figure out which department
you are wanting to work for and focus.
If you have any more questions feel free to contact me,
Michael Rippy
Assistant Photographer
Indianapolis Museum of Art
4000 Michigan Road
Indianapolis, IN 46208-3326
(317)923-1331 ext.191
www.ima-art.org
[log in to unmask]
>>> [log in to unmask] 12/17/2003 11:25:25 AM >>>
Hi- With regard to your MLIS degree and finding museum work, I think
you will encounter serious competition in the job market with people who
do have MA's in museum studies or history. I don't think that having an
MLIS alone would give one an advantage in the museum field. Museum jobs
are ideally acquired by people with museum credentials. I don't think I
would be able to get a job in a library with a museum studies degree.
I've been told in no uncertain terms by library types that one needs an
MLIS degree to work as a librarian. Ok. I am not arguing that point.
It makes sense. Just the same, museums should look for qualified
candidates with appropriate credentials. The two degrees are not really
interchangeable- unless you work for a very small museum that hires you
as a jack of all trades.
Arlyn Danielson
Newseum
-----Original Message-----
From: Sara Shreve [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, December 15, 2003 1:14 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Library Science and Museum Work
I hope this post is not inappropriate for this list,
but I am eager to hear the opinions and advice of
professionals currently working in museums. I am
within a few credits of finishing my masters degree in
Library and Information Science, but my true interest
is in history and historic conservation, special
collections, and archival work. I felt that an MLIS
degree might give me flexibility with regard to
geographic location and the duties of a job, which is
why I did not originally pursue a degree in Museum
Studies. I was also told by several LIS professors
that I could possibly make the transition into museum
work with an MLIS degree. I would like to ask for the
opinion of museum professionals about this before I
make any post-masters plans. Would someone holding an
MLIS possibly be considered for a position in a
museum?
I am currently making plans for the internship that I
need to complete in order to finish my degree, and I
am hoping to be able to conduct this internship at a
small local museum. Even if this is not possible, the
museum does accept volunteers and I would imagine this
would be a wise opportunity for me to take advantage
of. But I am also considering a second masters degree,
in history with a focus on "public history" which
includes some museum studies. Does this sound like a
wise course of action, and are there other steps I
need to take to qualify myself for museum work?
Any information and advice would be greatly
appreciated.
Thank You,
Sara
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