‘More than shelving books’: Students study library science at Hillsdale

Home Features ‘More than shelving books’: Students study library science at Hillsdale

A prudish old woman with her hair piled atop her head in a graying bun, glasses set on the tip of her nose, compulsively hushing students and shelving books.

Is this what you imagine when you hear the word, “librarian?”

Brenna Henry, technical service librarian at Mossey Library, said that the stereotype is old-fashioned.

“That’s not true anymore,” Henry said. “Libraries are vibrant. There aren’t those dusty stacks and books. We are embracing technology now.”

Library science is actually a very diverse field with opportunities in various fields of work. Students at Hillsdale have opportunities through Mossey to gain necessary experience for a future in LS.

Henry knew since high school that she wanted to be a librarian. Originally, she planned on being a school librarian, but her experiences at Hillsdale directed her to academic librarianship.

After a year working with Mossey’s coin collection after graduation, Henry went to Indiana University for her master’s degree in library science.

“People ask me, ‘Why do you need a master’s for that? Don’t you just shelve books?’” Henry said. “You will face a lot of misconceptions in this field of work.”

Linda Moore, public service librarian at Mossey, was a history major at Western Michigan University and got her master’s in library science at the University of Michigan. Now, she focuses on archival work in Mossey, where she has worked since 1976.

Moore said her former student workers have gone into a variety of specialized library fields. One woman, a chemistry major, is now working in Virginia in a specialized library. One classics major with a background in Greek and Latin is of interest to libraries who need librarians for rare book collections. Another student has become a children’s librarian in Indianapolis. Another works at the Clemson University library and deals with the technological side of librarianship.

“Whenever students are interested, I’m willing to discuss graduate schools and other options.,” Henry said. “We can mentor and talk to students. I highly encourage them to talk to us.”

She mentioned that she receives notices for internships, programs, and other opportunities in library work.

Moore said that although some students come in knowing they want to be librarians, many others work for the library and discover they really love it and want to become librarians, which is very rewarding.

At Mossey, students perform simple tasks such as shelving books and checking things in and out at the circulation desk, but these experiences give them better chances of finding a job later on, said Moore.

“It is our responsibility to train our replacements, so to speak,” Moore said.

She said that what students do here often shapes their interest in what library work they want to pursue. It also helps students

know what they are getting themselves into.

Under her tutelage, senior Alex Meregaglia discovered he was interested in records and archives, despite his original intention to become a lawyer after college.

Now, Meregaglia said he is planning to go to graduate school for two years and is currently looking at four different programs. He is also considering getting a master’s degree in history.

Katie Rose McEneely, ’10, who now works for JWC Media, said the fact she does not have a master’s degree in a second field beside library science puts her at a competitive disadvantage. She, like Henry, first gained interest in library science when she was younger, though she desired to work in an academic library from the beginning.

McEneely said academic libraries are just a part of the large sphere that library science covers.

“You can go into it with just about any background,” McEneely said. “There are religion libraries, medical libraries, and public libraries.”

Henry added that there are librarians who specialize in children’s books, digital libraries, rare books, and manuscripts. If you enjoy the “techie” side of library work, you can work as a systems librarian. She also mentioned acquisitions and collection development as possible subsets of the field.

“Librarianship is a really diverse field,” Henry said.

Moore said that students who want to become librarians need two things: the degree and experience. Working at Mossey provides students with the experience.

Henry said that Hillsdale definitely prepares students for a future in library science.

She said she would generally advise students interested in becoming librarians to avoid an undergraduate library science program, as specialization in a different major can direct specialization in the library world. Instead, she suggested getting whatever major you want and exploring the different avenues before going to grad school.

“You kind of need to know a little bit of everything,” Henry said.

Moore said that a Hillsdale education is very conducive to getting a master’s degree.

“Liberal arts and library science go together,” Moore said.

During his time at Hillsdale, Meregaglia has pursued an American Studies major while doing research in the archives for a professor, which is where he developed his interest in archives and record management. He has worked at Mossey transcribing Civil War letters.

Meregaglia said that his work in Mossey Library has given him a “good sense for archival work,” while his Hillsdale education has fostered his sense of historical consciousness.

Henry said, for herself, Mossey was the first opportunity she has to work in a real

library.

“You have to have the big picture,” McEneely said. “But you also have to have an eye on all the little pieces.”

A library science master’s degree is very specialized,  a bit difficult to attain,  and complicated, Henry said. It is all about amassing a set of skills.