IMLS Scholarship FAQ

1.  What is the Master of Library Science degree (MLS) offered by St. John’s University?

2.  What is the IMLS2 Scholarship?

3.  What is a "special librarian"?

4.  Who can apply?

5.  What are the application requirements?

6.  When is the application deadline?

7.  When do classes start?

8.  When and where are classes held?

9.  What are the benefits of the scholarship?

10.  What will I do when I graduate?

11.  Whom should I contact if I have any other questions?

1.  What is the Master of Library Science degree (MLS) offered by St. John’s University?

The program leading to the MLS degree is accredited by the American Library Association. This course of graduate study is suitable for students interested in school, public, special, college, and university libraries. There are five required courses and one course which must be selected from a menu of courses related to information sources. The student completes the program by taking 12 courses, including the above requirements, and successfully completing a comprehensive examination. Class size ranges from six to 20. Most classes have about 15 students.

The 36 credit MLS program prepares students for careers in libraries and information centers in public and academic libraries, law firms, hospitals, corporations, museums and school library media centers. St. John's graduates also find successful employment as database managers, systems analysts, online searchers, bibliographic editors, indexers and abstractors, archivists, and drug information specialists.

2.  What is the IMLS2 Scholarship?

St. John’s University, in partnership with the Metropolitan New York Library Council (METRO) and the Law Library Association of Greater New York (LLAGNY), will improve the services offered by special libraries to their clients, affiliated libraries, and members of the information professions by recruiting and training 40 highly committed students for future employment in special libraries in the New York City metropolitan area.

3.  What is a "special librarian"?

Special librarians (nearly a fourth of all librarians in the United States today) do three very important things: a) They provide expert information support to specific clients; b) they provide society at large with informed access to information through cooperative resource-sharing agreements and; 3) they associated with other librarians to improve professional practices. Special libraries include law, corporate, medical, nonprofit and other types of libraries.

4.  Who can apply?

The IMLS scholarship is geared toward a diverse group of working professionals in information-rich environments, with a particular emphasis on individuals who are already contextually aware of the information requirements of decision-makers. St. John’s is seeking candidates who are committed to working in libraries and information centers of organizations that serve the underserved and to individuals with non-traditional backgrounds.

5.  What are the application requirements?

Scholarship decisions will be based on the graduate application and an interview. Applicants should tailor their personal statement and letters of recommendation to support their candidacy for this scholarship. Please address the following criteria:

• Commitment to:
  • Service in a special library in New York,
  • Active involvement in St. John’s University’s Division of Library and Information Science before and after graduation,
  • Active participation in professional organizations, internships, service learning, community outreach and other service to diverse groups;
• Ability to bring contextually relevant knowledge and skills to the profession;
• Strong analytical and communication skills;
• Appropriate cross-functional training in law, finance, and other information-based professions
• Creativity and judgment in solving complex information problems.

Graduate and IMLS2 applications can be downloaded at: ???

6.  When is the application deadline?

For students applying for the Summer 2009 semester, applications are due by April 1, 2009 in order to receive full consideration.

Applications received after the above deadlines will be considered as space permits.

7.  When do classes start?

8.  When and where are classes held?

Classes will be held on two nights a week at St. John’s downtown Manhattan campus. Some courses may be available online.

9.  What are the benefits of the scholarship?

Tuition and Fees Benefit
St. John’s Division of Information and Library Science will award full tuition and fees for 40 students. The first cohort of 20 students began January 2009, and the second cohort of 20 students starts May 2009.

Technology Benefits

• Practical hands-on instruction (for areas where individuals and groups of students need improvement as well as updates in the latest software)
• A wireless laptop for each cohort member, including specialized software packages of importance to students in the MLS program
• Access to the four fully wireless campuses in the metropolitan area (Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan and Oakdale)
• On-campus and remote access to over 180 library databases
• Access to the University’s Information Technology support
• Workshops conducted by experts on blogs, wikis, Web page design, digital libraries, virtual reference and gamers/gaming and how these technologies can be used in libraries
• Technology labs supporting many of the courses, providing hands-on experience with applications important for information professionals in areas such as competitive intelligence and knowledge management.

Additional Benefits

• Strong academic program in the library and information sciences, supplemented with cross-domain courses in Knowledge Management, Competitive Intelligence, Marketing Research, Strategic Planning and other relevant subjects. Course content focuses on developing evidence-based insights and technical capabilities that lower costs and improve the value of information assets held or used by the firm.
• Access to the University’s Institute for Writing Studies, an endowed program which focuses on improving writing capabilities for students at every level
• Access to presentations by outstanding leaders in the field
• Interaction with leaders in the field
• Formal mentoring by professionals
• Student membership in METRO and another professional information organization of the student’s choice
• Funding for travel to participate in conferences sponsored by approved associations of information professionals.
• Professional internships

10.  What will I do when I graduate?

Nearly half of our nation’s special librarians are expected to exit the profession by the year 2010—five years sooner than predicted (2015) for the library profession as a whole. New York City in particular has a very high concentration of globally influential special libraries. This makes New York City particularly vulnerable to losing special librarians en masse.

For this reason, St. John’s Library Science program is building the profession’s capacity to provide expert information support in dynamic urban special libraries. This exciting degree program focuses on leadership, professional involvement, and best practices, as students work closely with a dynamic and passionate faculty and staff. In addition to other benefits, a recent survey indicates that salaries for experienced information managers can exceed $300,000, with approximately 1/3 of survey respondents reporting salaries in excess of $150,000.
 

11.  Whom should I contact if I have any other questions?

E-mail imls@stjohns.edu for more information or call St. John’s Department of Library Science: (718) 990-6200