Putting my MLS to work.

January 4, 2015 11:07 PM

I have a Master of Library Science, and for close to 15 years have been a public librarian. Does this qualify me for any type of freelance work?

I'd like to develop, if not a full career change, then at least a side job doing some kind of freelance intellectual work. I've long wanted to be a freelance writer, for instance, but lack any specific "niche." I've been writing poorly paid articles about health and pets and whatnot, but am wondering if I'm shortchanging myself by not promoting my MLS or library experience as a qualification. The problem is that all of my experience in the public library is by its nature very broad and general, and I'm not necessarily more of an expert in any one area than your average person.

Another option I've considered is freelance researcher. I'll admit I haven't looked into this too deeply, except to learn that I don't think I want to specialize in genealogical research (the sort where you hike down to the local historical society to look up stuff on microfilm for people who are out of town). I'm not sure why I have this aversion, but I know that I don't find helping people with genealogy at the library to be particularly interesting.

Are there any other types of freelance opportunities that my library experience might qualify me for? I will say that I am not particularly skilled at indexing, cataloguing, records management, or any of those other types of information access things that librarians are supposed to be good at. :(

Throwaway email: [e-mail]

Thank you, library folk of Metafilter!

posted by anonymous to Work & Money (5 answers total)

I pitch outside my specialty on the time. My editors wanted me on sex work and kink and they've also gotten (and taken) pitches on online dating and Facebook and ghosts, etc. Just pitch!
posted by Mistress at 1:18 AM on January 5, 2015

Take a look at the Association of Independent Information Professionals which covers the kind of work you are thinking of.
posted by wingless_angel at 1:32 AM on January 5, 2015 [2 favorites]

Being a generalist is indeed tough when you want to change positions! But usually librarians have great general computer skills. I used my MLS to get myself a PT job teaching general computer knowledge to undergraduates—one semester-long class per semester for about seven years. Maybe you could do something similar, if not to undergraduates, then to adult learning classes. I was working full time as a presentation specialist at the same time, and somehow combined those two jobs into my new job as a knowledge manager for a very large marketing company. Much more lucrative and more transferable down the line.
posted by clone boulevard at 7:22 AM on January 5, 2015

Are you comfortable with teaching online? Many colleges offer courses in information literacy and look for MLS level adjuncts.
posted by galvanized unicorn at 10:09 AM on January 5, 2015

I use my MLS to get freelance computer troubleshooting and web design work. Not much, mind you, but a bit to supplement my library income.
posted by Biblio at 4:30 AM on January 9, 2015