TSU Alumna Describes the Grants and Scholarships Available for Library Sciences
I asked Angel Sloss, an alumna of Tennessee State University, to write this week’s blog post. I wanted her to share scholarships and information about library sciences.
My name is Angel Sloss, and I am a graduate of Tennessee State University. I obtained a B.S. in Speech Communications/Theater in 2007. It was very hard to find a job, so I took my chances and applied to be a Circulation Assistant 2 of the Nashville Public Library.
I have now been with the Nashville Public Library for 2.5 years, and I am now a Circulation Assistant 2. If you would have asked me in 2007, “Would you have ever considered taking a job at the Nashville Public Library and pursuing a career in library sciences?”, I would have said, “No!”
Currently, I am in grad school, and I am in the process of getting a Masters in Library Science. I never thought to look at the road less traveled until I started working for NPL.
I love the work environment; working at the library is not too stressful, and I get to be part of so many things. The librarians here do many things; they host workshops, book clubs, events and other special projects. What I’ve learned from this is that librarians are teachers, professional critics, and information specialists.
What I’ve also learned is that whatever skills you learn in your undergrad career, you can also apply those to the field of library science. There are many institutions in the public, private, government, medical or academic/university sector that need people with a library sciences background and a library science degree to manage their collections.
Now, you may ask, “What’s in it for me?” Well, scholarships! Tons and tons of scholarships!! Librarians are so badly needed that some colleges that provide the degree will not require you to take the GRE or MAT.
I was lucky enough to have the GRE waived (Important: Keep your grades at or higher than a 3.2 your last two years of college if you are thinking about a career in this field, or you WON’T get the entrance tests waived).
More importantly, I was awarded a Deans Fellowship, which pays the greater part of my tuition. I am still applying for scholarships.
A Masters in Library Sciences can virtually pay for itself.
Another question you may ask is, “How much do librarians make?” Librarians in larger systems, and depending on your specialization, can make roughly anywhere between “30,000 (min entry level) to 90,000+ (maximum: cataloguers, librarian 3’s and Administrators are usually in this bracket range).”
What I find particularly exciting is if you are an administrator (a person who manages a whole library system), you can make $300,000 in larger states like Florida!
Well, I hope I peaked your interest a little, and so I leave you with a few helpful links below.
Complete Online ALA Accredited Degree Program through Drexel. Work while you earn your MLS! http://www.ischool.drexel.edu/
The National American And African American Library Associations:
http://www.ala.org/
Scholarships ( Just a few links)
http://www.librarylandindex.org/scholarships-grants.html
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/events/national/2011/scholarships/librarian.cfm
http://www.collegescholarships.org/scholarships/librarian-students.htm
http://www.apalaweb.org/awards/scholarship.htm
http://www.hirediversity.com/news/2003/11/25/librarian_scholarships_for_minorities_available.htm
Scholarship Tigers--Students Helping Each Other Find Money for College 
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