I really appreciate that this topic is being discussed
because, like Heather, I am also pursuing my MLIS hoping to
become an academic fine arts librarian, but don't have the
second masters and I'm starting to consider a different
path; it seems like all the job postings that I read for any
academic position require the second masters. Furthermore,
my undergraduate degree is not in art history, it's a
bachelors of fine arts. I'm concerned that this will be an
issue. Those who have posted so far have really helped calm
my nerves, but I'm interested in knowing if there are any
other librarians (academic or otherwise)out there with a
fine arts/ studio art background instead of art history who
could give me some advice. Thanks!
Brian
---- Original message ----
>Date: Fri, 23 Dec 2005 09:59:03 -0500
>From: Anne Haas <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: [ARLIS-L] Art History Masters degree
>To: [log in to unmask]
>
>i was about to write to respond to this subject,
>when i saw sara's response--so no need for me to
>repeat what she said, but i might add a coupleof
>things - 1) when a lot of us entered the field of
>art librarianship, there pretty much was no field of
>art librarianship--of course it has always been a
>specialty for older museums and universities, but
>the growth of the field has been huge over the past
>decade or so, with the advent of digital stuff.
>that said, the normal reference many of us do in
>undergraduate institutions, which have limited
>budgets and therefore commitment to this digital
>material, is still predominantly book related. i too
>was an engish major, and find that base has been
>enormously helpful at this level-(undergraduate,
>liberal arts college).
>
>2) for librarians at state institutions, the
>possibility of tenure might exist, but for the vast
>majority of us at small private colleges, that is
>not the case. we also don't have the same kind of
>tuition benefit simply because our institutions
>don't offer masters degrees, so the only courses
>available to us are those which would lead to a BA.
>i don't know if my college would pay for me to get a
>second masters at another local university, but i
>doubt it..they make us pay for credit courses!!!
>(admittedly a tiny fee, but still....)
>i have audited a gazillion art history classes, and
>know this isn't the same as actually taking the
>course for credit, but it has still been invaluable,
>especially in working with the students from new
>courses--recently, i try to sit in on those new
>subjects which might not be considered part of the
>classical courseload(african art, african american
>art, latin american, etc..you get my drift). it 's
>been great to be a part of this growth in the field.
>in response to what ellen said about the pay
>increases at her institution, that is another thing
>that is not available at private colleges. but i
>won't get started on that!!!
>
>interesting topic for the list.
>
>anne
>
>Anne Haas
>Bowdoin College
>Brunswick, Maine
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "MacDonald, Sara" <[log in to unmask]>
>Date: Thursday, December 22, 2005 12:10 pm
>Subject: Re: [ARLIS-L] Art History Masters degree
>
>> My undergraduate degree is in English, and I do
>not have a 2nd
>> master's degree. I have a theory that, when
>applying for jobs at
>> the more prestigious academic institutions, that
>2nd master's might
>> move your resume over to the interview pile, but
>that's only a
>> guess. I always thought that the ideal situation
>for a librarian
>> starting out would be to work at an institution
>where they could
>> earn that 2nd master's degree for free by using
>one's tuition
>> benefits. That would depend on the conditions of
>the master's
>> program, of course, but if I wanted a 2nd master's
>I'd certainly
>> seek out such a situation.
>>
>> As to how it might help you do your job, it's hard
>to say. Depends
>> on your patrons (primarily undergrad? master's?
>PhD? faculty
>> doing research?). Serving what is primarily an
>undergraduate
>> population, I can't say I've ever felt at a loss
>by not having an
>> art/art history educational background. I use my
>English major
>> education every day. And at my age, and after 17
>years of
>> experience, it's not hard to know more than a
>20-year-old in terms
>> of doing research - and I mean that in the nicest way!
>>
>> Sara MacDonald
>> The University of the Arts - University Libraries
>> Philadelphia PA
>> [log in to unmask]
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: ART LIBRARIES SOCIETY DISCUSSION LIST on
>behalf of Deale A.
>> HuttonSent: Thu 12/22/2005 11:33 AM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: [ARLIS-L] Art History Masters degree
>>
>> My 2nd Masters is a Master of Fine Arts --
>painting and sculpture
>> focus.
>> I am an artist and a librarian. This has been an
>interesting
>> combination.
>> I find it useful ... I have a good grasp of
>contemporary art, am
>> able to
>> assist studio majors and art history majors. I
>do, however, have very
>> little free time!
>> Deale Hutton
>> Art Librarian
>> SUNY Oswego
>>
>> > My 2nd Masters is in German Studies (though I
>tried to take a lot of
>> > coursework on the Visual Arts, especially
>Cinema, and had a strong
>> > interest in the painting of Otto Dix, George
>Grosz, et. al.).
>> I'm not
>> > currently working in an Art Library, however;
>before taking this
>> job I
>> > was merely volunteering part time in 2 local art
>museum libraries.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > This is an interesting thread/question, and I
>look forward to
>> reading> the posts of more experienced Art/Museum
>Librarians & Library
>> > Administrators.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > John J. Ronald '93, BA, MA, MLS
>> >
>> > Technical Services Librarian
>> >
>> > Jack K. Williams Library
>> >
>> > Texas A&M University at Galveston
>> >
>> > 200 Seawolf Parkway
>> >
>> > P. O. Box 1675
>> > Galveston, Texas 77553-1675
>> >
>> > Tel. (409) 740-4571
>> >
>> > Fax. (409) 740-4702
>> >
>> > Email: [log in to unmask]
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > ________________________________
>> >
>> > From: ART LIBRARIES SOCIETY DISCUSSION LIST
>[[log in to unmask]]
>> > On Behalf Of Gibbons, Beverly
>> > Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2005 9:13 AM
>> > To: [log in to unmask]
>> > Subject: Re: [ARLIS-L] Art History Masters degree
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Related to Heather's question, how many of you
>have other humanities
>> > degrees related to art history? My second
>master's is not in art
>> > history, but in English.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Thank you, Beverly
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Fine Arts Librarian
>> >
>> > Hamon Arts Library
>> >
>> > Southern Methodist University
>> >
>> > [log in to unmask]
>> >
>> > -----Original Message-----
>> > From: ART LIBRARIES SOCIETY DISCUSSION LIST
>> > [[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Heather Kline
>> > Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2005 7:54 AM
>> > To: [log in to unmask]
>> > Subject: [ARLIS-L] Art History Masters degree
>> >
>> > I am in the process of getting my MLIS, and
>I've been
>> > considering the costs vs. benefits of getting my
>Art History MA
>> after> I'm done. How many of you on the list have
>both degrees?
>> Has it seemed
>> > to be a requirement for jobs for which you have
>applied? Does this
>> > change between academic libraries and museum
>libraries?
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Thanks,
>> >
>> > Heather
>> >
>> > __________________________________________________
>> > Do You Yahoo!?
>> > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam
>protection around
>> > http://mail.yahoo.com
>> >
>>
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