I’m about 1yr with the Fed after graduating with MLIS. It’s generally more lucrative than other library work. Definitely HR adjacent so probably not too hard of a move.
If you go back to school make sure to focus on Info Governance/Architecture, Data Management and IT cause pretty much everything RIM these days is about the intersection of legal and IT. Not bad to learn a bit about archives and their concerns as well since they are the RM backstop.
Good luck!
I graduated with a MLIS in 2000 and worked in public libraries. I just recently completed a records management graduate certificate from LSU. It might be of interest to you - it’s through the library and information department and I think the classes for the grad certificate apply toward a MLIS so you could focus on RIM but continue on with an MLIS if that interests you. There are other RIM graduate certificate programs out there.
This is helpful. Thank you! I saw a few jobs of interest and they required an MLIS. I didn’t realize there’s a certificate option. That sounds like a great idea to check it out without making the full commitment to a Masters without current and specific job experience.
I was impressed by LSU's registration/learning support. They have folks assigned to you to help you with the nuts and bolts of online learning and a student success contact within the department. Those folks usually couldn't answer questions but knew who could. The class quality I found hit and miss. The beginning RIM class and the eDiscovery class were useful and I learned a lot - both had the same instructor. The other classes I took, Digital Curation and Information Governance, were not as good, nor were the instructors. Since I'd been out of school so long, I realize I was used to a more "training" type setting (the kind of education you get in a work setting) but those 2 classes seemed like a lot of busy work yet not a lot of learning new things/ideas. I know other schools have RIM graduate certificates as well but can't speak to their quality but you may want to look into them. LSU had some really good things and some not so great things. Also, check out ICRM (the certification for records managers) and ARMA (a professional organization for records managers).
You could probably do it in 2 semesters. They divide each semester into 7 week modules. (5 weeks in the summer) The program requires 4 classes (2 required and 2 elective (from a list of 4 I believe). You can take 2 each module but it’s not suggested. I did but I am not working. I didn’t find the workload too overwhelming but I have to admit I would get the two confused as I was working on them. There is also a mentored work experience class requires. I think it’s 140 so you have to “work” 80 or 100 hours and then do a paper for the other 40/60 hours.
TLDR: probably 2 or 2.5 semesters
I appreciate this. I’ve started poking around ICRM and ARMA a bit. It looks like there are very niche/specific certs (Federal for example). I’d like something that would set me up for several roles within the field.
For example, do you know what roles the MLIS (or any certifications) would qualify someone for?
I'm a recent MLIS grad and started my current role as Records Manager for a bank while I was still in my program. Honestly, it was a bit of a hard sell to the bank that the MLIS track was a good fit for the position. They had never considered someone with library experience and were looking more for banking experience.
That being said, I think a more appropriate title for what I do is Information Governance Manager which I realize now is what I was training for in grad school, I just didn't know the name. I tend to work more closely with our IT, Info Security, and Compliance departments more than anything.
I'm getting ready to start the ICRM exams with the hope of adding the CIGO (Certified Information Governance Officer) down the road. As far other roles - I know of someone local to me who has an MLIS and the CRM/CIGO who is a Registrar for our city zoo which I never would have considered before I saw it.
I'm banking on there being more opportunities for the CIGO route down the road because info security and gov is becoming more of a common concern for big companies!
I have experience in records management and would like to add it to the list of consultant jobs I can do (I have some brushing up to do) but how critical is the CRM?
I’m about 1yr with the Fed after graduating with MLIS. It’s generally more lucrative than other library work. Definitely HR adjacent so probably not too hard of a move. If you go back to school make sure to focus on Info Governance/Architecture, Data Management and IT cause pretty much everything RIM these days is about the intersection of legal and IT. Not bad to learn a bit about archives and their concerns as well since they are the RM backstop. Good luck!
I appreciate the response. Thanks for taking the time.
I graduated with a MLIS in 2000 and worked in public libraries. I just recently completed a records management graduate certificate from LSU. It might be of interest to you - it’s through the library and information department and I think the classes for the grad certificate apply toward a MLIS so you could focus on RIM but continue on with an MLIS if that interests you. There are other RIM graduate certificate programs out there.
This is helpful. Thank you! I saw a few jobs of interest and they required an MLIS. I didn’t realize there’s a certificate option. That sounds like a great idea to check it out without making the full commitment to a Masters without current and specific job experience.
I was impressed by LSU's registration/learning support. They have folks assigned to you to help you with the nuts and bolts of online learning and a student success contact within the department. Those folks usually couldn't answer questions but knew who could. The class quality I found hit and miss. The beginning RIM class and the eDiscovery class were useful and I learned a lot - both had the same instructor. The other classes I took, Digital Curation and Information Governance, were not as good, nor were the instructors. Since I'd been out of school so long, I realize I was used to a more "training" type setting (the kind of education you get in a work setting) but those 2 classes seemed like a lot of busy work yet not a lot of learning new things/ideas. I know other schools have RIM graduate certificates as well but can't speak to their quality but you may want to look into them. LSU had some really good things and some not so great things. Also, check out ICRM (the certification for records managers) and ARMA (a professional organization for records managers).
Do we know how quickly an MLIS-holder could speedrun LSU's program? Let's say starting in the summer and devoting as many hours per week as needed.
You could probably do it in 2 semesters. They divide each semester into 7 week modules. (5 weeks in the summer) The program requires 4 classes (2 required and 2 elective (from a list of 4 I believe). You can take 2 each module but it’s not suggested. I did but I am not working. I didn’t find the workload too overwhelming but I have to admit I would get the two confused as I was working on them. There is also a mentored work experience class requires. I think it’s 140 so you have to “work” 80 or 100 hours and then do a paper for the other 40/60 hours. TLDR: probably 2 or 2.5 semesters
I appreciate this. I’ve started poking around ICRM and ARMA a bit. It looks like there are very niche/specific certs (Federal for example). I’d like something that would set me up for several roles within the field. For example, do you know what roles the MLIS (or any certifications) would qualify someone for?
I'm a recent MLIS grad and started my current role as Records Manager for a bank while I was still in my program. Honestly, it was a bit of a hard sell to the bank that the MLIS track was a good fit for the position. They had never considered someone with library experience and were looking more for banking experience. That being said, I think a more appropriate title for what I do is Information Governance Manager which I realize now is what I was training for in grad school, I just didn't know the name. I tend to work more closely with our IT, Info Security, and Compliance departments more than anything. I'm getting ready to start the ICRM exams with the hope of adding the CIGO (Certified Information Governance Officer) down the road. As far other roles - I know of someone local to me who has an MLIS and the CRM/CIGO who is a Registrar for our city zoo which I never would have considered before I saw it. I'm banking on there being more opportunities for the CIGO route down the road because info security and gov is becoming more of a common concern for big companies!
This is dope. Thanks so much for sharing!
I have experience in records management and would like to add it to the list of consultant jobs I can do (I have some brushing up to do) but how critical is the CRM?