Experiential Learning: Voices of Librarians-to-Be

Academic libraries, and particularly specialized ones, often can provide a broad range of career-building opportunities to those thinking about or in the process of becoming librarians. Participants in a variety of experiences at one of UNC’s specialized libraries have ranged from teens to graduate students to recent graduates transitioning to new careers in libraries. Hear several current and recent librarians-to-be discuss their efforts to acquire hands-on practical skills, learn more about the field of librarianship, receive mentoring and career planning assistance, and participate in library meetings, events and other professional activities inside and outside of the library. Challenges include matching potential candidates with appropriate experiential opportunities tailored to their needs, while meeting Human Resources requirements and ensuring students enrolled for credit satisfy the expectations of their specific institutions and programs. To further aid in making career resources more accessible to fledgling professionals, the library also created an online guide