Hello and welcome back to the Music Library!
This is part 2 of a 4-part series called "Tips from a Library Science Student." Check back each week in January for a new blog post, in which I take you through some of my top tips I’ve learned as a library science student in the Faculty of Information.
Today we’re going to be talking about the top five things that I learned in my first semester as a library and information science student. While this may not be applicable to everybody, I think it may be interesting to those who have no idea what information science is or those who want to learn more about it.
Here’s what I learned:
#1. There are so many different kinds of libraries. This was something I didn’t have a lot of knowledge about coming into the program but through the semester I have been introduced to law librarians, policy librarians, public librarians, academic librarians, government librarians, and librarian advocates (among many others).
#2. There are also so many things you can do with an Information degree. Beyond the library, we’ve learned about careers in academia, business, government, media, and tech that information professionals are suited for. It is amazing to see how varied the field is!
#3. There is a lot of participation; people are really engaged! I know this one may not be your cup of tea, and it wasn’t mine either, but I’ve found that when I participate more, I am better able to focus, I learn more, and I can engage with the content better in assignments. I also learned a lot about the experiences of other students, which was super interesting.
#4. There are lots of clubs and groups to get involved with. This is something I was unsure about coming to a new school to do this program but there are so many cool clubs and student groups to join at U of T. This is also a great way to meet new people that you have things in common with.
#5. Ask a librarian if you have a question! In both my program and in my position at the Music Library, I have learned more than anything else how friendly and knowledgeable librarians are. They are so happy to help you learn. If you are having trouble formulating a thesis, finding sources, searching in databases, or any other issues, they are there for you. You can book a research consultation or just walk up to the desk to chat with one today!
Thanks for coming along with me today! What are some of your top tips? Did any of these surprise you? Tune in next week for part 3!