Comments on: Why require an MLS for library technologists?

By: Clear Blue Dei | Web 2.0 - Do you trust online sites to protect your data?

Clear Blue Dei | Web 2.0 - Do you trust online sites to protect your data? — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 00:24:32 +0000

[...] found that out when I tried to follow a link on Technosophia about a post on Library Web Chic about a post on code4lib regarding an MLS degree for library technology postings. Since this is [...]

By: Clear Blue Dei | Web 2.0 - What does an Organization Really Need to Get There?

Sun, 04 Nov 2007 00:23:22 +0000

[...] into this. These are the posts that prompted this post - MLS and Library Technology, a post on Why require an MLS for library technologist about a post on code4lib regarding an MLS degree for library technology postings (which [...]

By: Web 2.0 - Do you trust online sites to protect your data? « My Weblog

Web 2.0 - Do you trust online sites to protect your data? « My Weblog — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 04:02:06 +0000

By: Susan Mellott

Susan Mellott — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 18:24:34 +0000

Do you know another place to view Ross’ post? dilettantes.code4lib.org is all messed up and didn’t appear to come back when code4lib.org was restored.

By: Naomi Dushay

Naomi Dushay — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 15:43:41 +0000

While I agree that the need to require an MLS is situational, I would hope that folks would be open to “or the equivalent.” I’ve been working in the library, and digital library, field for 15 years. I have no MLS; my educational background is in computer science. However, I believe my work experience, starting back as an undergrad, has given me the appropriate background. This would seem to be borne out, as I am now in a tenure track faculty position at an academic research library.

As to the skills necessary to be a manager, I would argue that neither computer science nor library science has much to offer. As with so many important life skills (e.g. parenting), there are few degrees considered “relevant” that provide instruction in how to manage projects or people, how to run meetings, how to communicate effectively in all the different situations jobs require. I picked up a lot of these skills in volunteer work, in other non-work activities, and of course on the job.

By: All Things Web 2.0 Web 2.0 - What does an Organization Really Need to Get There? «

Sat, 28 Jul 2007 16:56:36 +0000

By: All Things Web 2.0 Web 2.0 - speaking of losing/guarding data - code4lib hacked «

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 18:59:45 +0000

[...] found that out when I tried to follow a link on Planet Code4lib about a post on Library Web Chic about a post on code4lib regarding an MLS degree for library [...]

By: Cindi

Cindi — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 13:22:10 +0000

Great post, Karen.
I think the solution will vary from library to library, something you hint at in your response to Blake. My former position was as an I.T. manager–none of the folks below me were librarians (at first); it was crucial that the person in that position speak the same language as the librarians, who were largely decidedly non-progressive. It’s been interesting watching the evolution of the position since I left it. The exact position number has been converted to an AD (!), and it will be very interesting to see who fills the position of having to manage the on-the-ground IT folks, including the caretakers of the ILS and website, both of whom are librarians all but in name (no MLS). I think they’re realizing that it’s still crucial for that person to be a librarian of one stripe or another.

By: τεχνοσοφια » Blog Archive » The MLS and library technology

Sun, 22 Jul 2007 21:34:47 +0000

[...] Karen Coombs responds to Ross Singer, re: requiring an MLS degree in library technology positions. [...]

By: Karen

Karen — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 17:00:33 +0000

yeah, I completely agree with this comment. The way we are structured here that isn’t a problem because I and the new Web Services Coordinator interact with the librarians. My developers don’t have to interact with them regularly.