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Becoming A Subject-Specialist Librarian, Brenna Helmstutler

University Library Faculty Publications

Before pursuing my MLIS, I had a Master’s degree in Counseling and eight years of experience in higher education. As I began applying for positions before graduating in December 2003, I knew that I wanted to work in academic libraries and that my experience would be an asset, but I questioned whether I would get to directly use my Counseling degree. Two months after graduation, I began work as a subject-specialist (liaison) librarian for Counseling & Psychological Services as well as 3 other related programs.

Many academic libraries use the liaison model, in which librarians are assigned to work with …