Library and Information Science Instructors

Employers

There are approximately 5,300 library science educators employed in the United States. Library and information science instructors work for colleges and universities that have library science or information science degree programs. With a doctorate, a number of publications, and a record of good teaching, professors should find opportunities in universities all across the country. Library and information science instructors teach in undergraduate and graduate programs. The teaching jobs at doctoral institutions are usually better paying and more prestigious. The most sought-after positions are those that offer tenure. Library science teachers who have only a master's degree will be limited to opportunities with junior colleges, community colleges, and some small private institutions.

Starting Out

You should start the process of finding a teaching position while you are in graduate school. The process includes developing a curriculum vitae (a detailed, academic resume), writing for publication, assisting with research, attending conferences, and gaining teaching experience and recommendations. Many students begin applying for teaching positions while finishing their graduate program. For most positions at four-year institutions, you must travel to large conferences where interviews can be arranged with representatives from the universities to which you have applied.

To learn more about potential employers, you should visit the American Library Association's Web site (http://www.ala.org) for a list of schools that have library science programs. The Association for Library and Information Science Education also offers job listings on its Web site, https://www.alise.org. Additionally, job listings can be found in the Chronicle of Higher Education (https://chronicle.com).

Because of the competition for tenure-track positions, you may have to work for a few years in temporary positions, finding employment at various schools as an adjunct professor.