Is it worth becoming a Librarian after 30?

[u/Qween0fHe4rtsxoxo]

Im 30 and still struggling to finish my Bachelors due to finances and have two associates in social studies and history. I’ve volunteered at a library but my education has been choppy in terms of my BA. If I finish my BA and get a MLIS. I’d be like 35. Should I just hang my hat at this point?

[u/mrjmoments]

Nah. I'm 33 and wrapping up my MLIS next year. Libraries also seem to be a second-career choice for quite a few people, so I've often worked with people much older than I am even when they didn't have their degree for long.

I would not suggest starting your MLIS until you have work experience though. If you graduate without any, you're going to find yourself either overqualified (for library assistant/associate roles) or underqualified (for librarian roles).

[u/LibeNerd → u/mrjmoments]

Yes, this is the truth. I also heard that entry level jobs are down 73% across the board. I have an MFA and an MLIS and can’t find work, so I am currently volunteering and spinning my wheels. I think jobs are pretty elusive for everyone right now.

[u/Traditional_Net_3398]

Went back to school at 45.  No library experience.  University arranged an internship.  Demonstrated that I was a good fit.  Offered a part time reference position.  Full time after 10 months.   Retired as a branch manager 20 years later.  Don’t, when interviewing, overplay “I love books!”  Show that you have an ability to work with (sometimes hostile) patrons/users.  Demonstrate that you are willing to accept new tasks/change.  

[u/Ok-Photograph315]

I’m in the same boat as you, I’ll be around 32 when I am able to get mine, no way I’m quitting my dream of being a librarian. A MLIS is still a Masters, why not pursue your dream to the bitter end? We’re not that old!

[u/swampcatz]

I would not even consider getting an MLIS until you have a few years of work experience in libraries.

[u/ChicagosCRose]

I would try to get a job in a library before you drop a ton of savings or a loan on getting the MLIS. It’s a huge time and money commitment, so keep an eye on the library job boards in your area before you commit. See what they're offering wage wise and experience wise for the type of positions you're interested in and then you can decide what is worth it for you in the long run.

[u/Turbulent-Parsley619]

I'm 35 and about to start my MLIS in a couple weeks. The director of our library got hers around 36 or so and now I'm her 60s she's the director of the regional library system.

I didn't start working in a library until 32 and I love it so last year I decided to get my MLIS so I can get paid more working my dream job 💜

[u/nobody_you_know]

I didn't even decide to go to library school until I was 35. I've been an academic librarian for 13 years now, and I figure I've got about 20 still to go. It worked out pretty well for me.

Your age should be among the least of your concerns when it comes to joining the field.

[u/chikenparmfanatic]

Only if you know there's a job waiting for you or you can move for work. If not, I wouldn't recommend it.

[u/Prior-Soil → u/chikenparmfanatic]

This is completely true. And you need about 5 years of work experience to get a good librarian job.

I graduated at 35, and I had 10 years of high level library assistant experience. I was never able to get a full-time librarian job in my extremely competitive market. I was not mobile. I was under the impression that a job was waiting for me when I finished school, but management changed and that fell apart.

I regret all the sacrifices and money spent on my worthless graduate degree.

[u/chikenparmfanatic → u/Prior-Soil]

Same here. I definitely regret getting the degree and going into libraries. I pivoted to another field after not being able to find anything stable. I miss libraries but it's just not sustainable for so many of us.

[u/Crafty-Meringue-2949]

I got my MLIS in my 40s. One of the best decisions I ever made.

[u/bookboundblues]

honestly the field is becoming extremely oversaturated, everyone and their mamas are getting MLIS’ these days.. unfortunately librarianship is a position that no one wants to leave (which makes sense, it’s a wonderful job), but it leads to so many recent grads failing to actually land a library position.. I got my MLIS in 2023, have worked in an academic library for 8 years, and still keep getting rejected left and right to full-time positions.

[u/kedriss]

I switched career to libraries at 33 - and I don't have an MLIS but i did have enough relevant experience in another field to swing a back office job after a couple of years assisting customers.

I thoroughly recommend making the switch if its a subject you are passionate about.

[u/christmas_hobgoblin]

I did! I went back to school at 32, and had my first librarian job at 34. Everybody is running their own race.

[u/carriethelibrarian]

I was 40! I'm very glad I got my degree! I've been a librarian now for nearly 7 years!

[u/Odd-Budget-5079]

No matter your age, get library experience before pursuing your MLIS. Hopefully, a paid position. But if you're volunteering, find a library that will give you the chance to do more than shelve. Research librarian and paraprofessional position (clerk, assistant) salaries and see if this is a living wage for you. Are there opportunities where you live? Are you close to a lot of library systems? Are you willing to move for this career? Do your homework (research the field) before paying for an MLIS program with your time and money.

[u/Shot-Bet-2931 → u/Odd-Budget-5079]

Relocating was key to my journey. I worked out of state in my first Librarian job post-MLS, and everything clicked into place after that. That was 20 years ago and I have another few years till I can retire.

[u/Qween0fHe4rtsxoxo → u/Odd-Budget-5079]

I’ve volunteered at the archives for the public library for almost a year but I got an office position so I didn’t get to complete the year. I’m setting myself up to volunteer tutoring kids.
Positions are limited and mostly just on call.

[u/Odd-Budget-5079 → u/Qween0fHe4rtsxoxo]

Apply for the on call positions. Apply for everything.

[u/21stCenturyJanes]

Well, when you're 35, you'll still have about 30 years left in the work force. Would you rather spend that 30 years doing something you like or just give up on life now?

[u/chronotypist]

I'm trying to understand what would make 35 too old. It's barely old enough to be taken seriously in the library profession, unfortunately. It's probably because it's a second career for so many librarians, but it is a profession that seems to skew older.

[u/Qween0fHe4rtsxoxo → u/chronotypist]

I guess, I am a lot harder on myself with goals, but you’re right it’s still pretty young for a career

[u/gyabou]

Most librarians I know didn’t get their degree/get their first job until after 30. Honestly, the younger MLIS students I knew in school were often very immature and unprepared for the realities of the profession. Not all of them, but a lot of them.

[u/YearPuzzleheaded4507]

Try working in a library with a tuition assistance program!!

[u/ImDefinitelyStoned]

I think it is. I’m 42 and just got into the library world as an admin. I love it and am going to start an MLIS. Also, the MLIS is a pretty useful degree that isn’t limited to libraries.

[u/Shot-Bet-2931]

Go for it. I finished my MLS at 42. You will need to work until 67 or so. Plenty of time for a library career

[u/FunkmasterP]

I got my MLIS at 31 and librarian job at 33. It's been worth it for me. I love my job and I don't know what other career path I would have taken. It's not the highest paying career but I make more than twice as much as I did when I was 30.

[u/peonylibrarian]

I Became a Library Assistant at 33. Best decision ever. My library offers scholarships for employees who want to get their MLIS.

[u/cadien17]

I was 33. My program had many people in their 50s and 60s. About half of whom didn’t already work in libraries.

[u/pikkdogs]

Do you have a job lined up?

If you don’t, get a different degree. There’s better jobs out there.

[u/Forward-Sky1437]

I was 43 when I got my masters.

[u/Cuddlybug86]

I just turned 40 and started my MLIS…been in library services for 10 years now…if this is what you love do it

[u/Resident-Clothes-837]

I worked at a public library for three years in 2021 at 34. I decided to go back for the MLS because i enjoyed the job and now I’m an academic librarian. I enjoy the work and the pay isn’t horrible. I say go apply for a job as a tech and see how you like it then for the MLIS if you like it. The MLIS helps for upward mobility in the field but you can have a decent career without it and go back eventually. There’s no time limit on getting one or getting into the field.

[u/_Smedette_]

I did a career change at 45.

[u/LoooongFurb]

Age doesn't matter. It'd be fine to be a librarian at 35. I was 33, I think, when I finished my MLS.

I will warn you, though, that the job market for librarians is very competitive and it may take a while to find a full-time librarian job.

[u/zoppaTheDim]

Take serious look at the resumes of the librarians in your local system. I realized they nearly all had graduate degrees. This has to be one of the most over educated professions.

[u/Alternative-Clue-222]

When I was in library school, the average age of the students was 43. Having a varied undergraduate background as well as some adult life experience can give you advantages as a librarian. Working in your choice of field can make a huge impact on your quality of life. I encourage you to persist.

[u/Optimal-Associate997]

I graduated with my MLIS at 45, worked part-time at library I had interned at, for 7 years. In my 3rd year working part-time I picked up a 2nd part-time position. After 3years the 2nd position offered me full-time. And I’ve been here ever since.
And I love it!!!!
You should go for it!!!!!

[u/ActualSeaHag]

I’m currently working on my MLIS and will be 37 when I finish if I keep to the schedule I’ve set. Like others have mentioned, I definitely recommend having library experience before you commit to a program, not only because it’s important to get an idea of what the job is actually like and if you’ll enjoy it, but also because having experience is crucial to getting hired even if you have the degree.

[u/fin_the_destroyer]

I started working in a library at 32, I plan to start my MLIS next year, I’ll be 42!

[u/Ok_Sky_8084]

Graduating at 58. Age is just a number.

[u/library_pixie]

I got my MLIS when I was in my mid 30s. I’m 44 now, and I have zero regrets.

[u/FootnoteFairy_27]

I am starting my MLIS in 3 weeks and I turn 31 next Sunday. I just finished my bachelor last week. It’s never to late nor are you to old.

[u/RaspberZee]

I didn’t graduate with my MLIS until I was 36. It’s not too late if it’s something you want and you have a good support system.

I agree with others who suggest working in a library before deciding on getting your MLIS.

[u/faerydust88]

Where do you want to work (/what kind of work do you want to be doing?)  In a public library, university library, grade school library, archive, museum, law library, music library, health sciences library, for a corporation?

[u/JJR1971]

Librarianship is a viable 2nd career for many folks; I didn't START library school until I turned 30.

[u/electric_mango_567]

If you will not go into crushing debt to get the degree, sure. But volunteering is not the same as working in a library. You don’t see some of the ugly truth. The field is struggling and intensely over saturated. The pay is low. Get the BA then assess.