After you secured your first professional library position, what did you wish you had learned in library school? What did you not learn that would have been helpful when starting out in the profession?
Please consider taking part in the survey What I Did Not Learn in Library School. The survey is located at surveys.csus.edu/jfe/form/SV_eIG9QGd2z7LiKPQ. The survey will remain open until June 30, 2026.
In 2016, a research team comprised of Sarah Allison, Adam Heien, and Caitlin Wells conducted a survey to better understand how professional development, library school curriculum, and mentorship could improve the library profession. This data was preserved and not published. Ten years later, a second research team, led by Sarah Allison, will compare the 2016 and 2026 data to analyze what has changed and what has stayed the same.
The survey is open to anyone who has received their MLIS or a similar degree who works or has worked in an academic, public, and/or special library with a focus on special collections and archives. Your participation is voluntary, and there are no risks associated with taking this survey. Additionally, your responses will remain anonymous, and any result will be reported in aggregate.
If you have any questions about the survey, please contact Sarah Allison at sarah.allison@csus.edu.
Thank you very much for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Sarah Allison, Head, Gerth Special Collections & University Archives, Sacramento State University
Diane Dias De Fazio, Library Services Manager for Rare Books, Special Collections & Collections Care, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Evan N. Miller, Digital Preservation and Digital Collections Archivist, Ruth Lilly Special Collections and Archives, Indiana University Indianapolis
Publishing in the Archives Profession 