Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Why Library And Information Science? Results Of A Career Survey Of Mlis Students Along With Implications For Reference Librarians And Recruitment, Allyson Ard, Susan Clemmons (Smith), Nathan Morgan, Patrick Sessions, Brett Spencer, Tracy Tidwell, Patricia J. West

University Library Faculty Publications

Hearing why the librarians of tomorrow chose the library profession is vital, because understanding their motivations provides librarians with a glimpse of the future as well as ways to improve that future for the profession. This article therefore seeks to communicate the career motivations of MLIS students by reporting the results of a survey conducted at the University of Alabama’s School of Library and Information Studies. Library administrators and others responsible for hiring information professionals will want to hear the library students’ reasons for entering the field, their salary expectations, geographic preferences, perceptions of the job market, and interest in …