From: LIBPACS@UHUPVM1.BITNET (Public-Access Computer Systems Forum)
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.pacs-l
Subject: Caste barriers in Universities
Date: 9 Nov 92 15:55:28 GMT
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU

5 Messages, 128 Lines
*-----
From: mperkins@ucselx.sdsu.edu (perkins m)
Subject: Re:      Caste barriers in universities
>
> > "applicants must have an MLS degree"
>
> As Bill Arms notes, the MLS is nearly always required in
> job ads on PACS-L -- even for library automation jobs that
> would otherwise be of interest to readers of my AI newsletter.
> It's like saying "CS degree holders need not apply," which
> may be a stronger statement than the advertising institution
> intends to make.  I'm not really interested in whether this
> is "guild behavior," but I do urge advertisers to consider
> softening the MLS requirement.  There are plenty of good
> MS and PhD computer scientists looking for work, and some of
> them might be interested in entry-level library positions.
> The cross fertilization could be good for both our fields.
>
>                                       -- Ken
>
Ken,
  I wonder if you would be willing to hire someone with no experience
or education in computer science for an entry level position in a
University computing center?  If what you meant is that persons with
technical competence but no MLS should be considered for library
automation jobs, I tend to agree, depending on the nature of the job.
If it is administrative, I would lean toward the MLS.  If it is
purely technical, then the MLS might be "softened."  The problem
here, I think, is that few library automation jobs (if any) are entry
levelI don't think I would hire an MBA to manage a systems group
unless he/she had the technical background as well, even though it
is clrly a "management" job!  A library automation position usu-
ally requires technical as well as library education and experience.

+-------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
|Michael J. Perkins |University Library   |INTERNET:mperkins@   |
|Business Librarian |San Diego State Univ.| ucselx.sdsu.edu  OR |
|VOICE:(619)594-6743|San Diego, CA        |mperkins@library.    |
|FAX:(619)594-2700  |92182-0511           | sdsu.edu            |
+-------------------+---------------------+---------------------+
*-----
From: Marcia.Deddens@UC.Edu
Subject: Re: Caste barriers in universities

The plea for less stringent listings for "MLS prepferred or required"
listings, especially for automation postions, has a flip side that
should be acknowledged.  An MLS is also applicable for many general
information management postions in business and industry, yet it is
very rarely suggested or preferred.  Business and industry often does
not associate an MLS with their needs.  It is, therefor, not
surprising to me to see that library listings prefer or require an
MLS.
*-----
From:         KAREN Haynes <1LIKEK@UTSAVM1>
Subject:      Re:      Caste barriers in universities
Ok, I'll bite....and ask about Ken's carreers newsletter--any thing for
those of us fools w/o a CS degree just good old social sciences/humanities
:-)  degrees?

Cheers,

it's friday...hallalujah, now I go home and spend ALL day on the net

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*------
From: Lynda Williams <williams@cnc.bc.ca>
Subject: Re:      Caste barriers in universities
Ironically, speaking as someone with BOTH an MLS and an M.Sc. in
computing, even being a hybrid is not always good enough.  I have
encountered people who want an MLS who discount the value of the
M.Sc. because I don't have years of experience as a cataloguer --
and lots of lib. automation jobs are in the tech. services area.
On the other hand, strictly "computer" people (I've worked as a
tech. support analyst in Toronto for Unix) often find the MLS
off-putting.  I have fun, but for the most part I find the world of
employers less prepared for the interdisciplinary bit than I was
led to believe they would be when pursuing my academic credentials.

I was a computerphile even back in library school, before the M.Sc.,
and the vibes I got from my fellow students were sometimes down
right hostile, as if my interest somehow detracted from the value
of their degrees.

I would agree that as a profession, librarians must learn to
warm up to techies.  And maybe even co-opt more of us instead of
guarding turf.  I still believe librarianship and comp. sci. have
a lot in common.

*****************************
*  Lynda J. Williams        *
*  College of New Caledonia *
*  lynda@cnc.bc.ca          *
*****************************
*-----
From: John D. Boggs <jboggs@umaxc.weeg.uiowa.edu>
From article <720999956.0.LAWS@AI.SRI.COM>, by         Ken Laws
 <LAWS@ai.sri.com>:
>> "applicants must have an MLS degree"
>
> As Bill Arms notes, the MLS is nearly always required in
> job ads on PACS-L -- even for library automation jobs that
> would otherwise be of interest to readers of my AI newsletter.
> It's like saying "CS degree holders need not apply," which
> may be a stronger statement than the advertising institution
> intends to make.  I'm not really interested in whether this
> is "guild behavior," but I do urge advertisers to consider
> softening the MLS requirement.  There are plenty of good
> MS and PhD computer scientists looking for work, and some of
> them might be interested in entry-level library positions.
> The cross fertilization could be good for both our fields.
>
>                                       -- Ken
>
     And perhaps some of these computer firms can start accepting
people without CS degrees?  There are also good Masters degree
librarians looking for work.