Fact to remember and consider: Anyone whose primary goal is Judaica librarianship will probably combine a MLS with a gradaute degree in some aspect of Jewish studies, and probably can use optional term papers and thesis to turn any library science program into one preparing them for a career in Judaica librarianship (perhaps AJL should sponsor a "research roundtable" to support such student research).
Many people who work in Judaica librarianship do so as a secondary assignment, while relying on some other specialty as a primary job. Something less than a full certificate might be helpful (e.g. short courses such as Hebraica for catalogers, or Misphat Ivri for law librarians, or a course aimed at synagogue librarians who lack an MLS, etc.). Given the "excessive" pay Judaica librarians command, we have to keep costs to a minimum. An ideal library school to sponsor such a program would also have strong graduate programs in Jewish history, religion and Near Eastern languages. It should also be a public university so it is affordable. Is there an affordable library school at a research oriented university with strong programs in all aspects of Judaica. The alternative would be for some sort of multi-institutional arrangements. Distance education might be the solution. University of Maryland might be a good place to coordinate it since the university has a world class distance education program. Aaron Wolfe Kuperman (LC, Social Sciences Cataloging Division) This note is NOT an official communication from the Library of Congress. Messages and opinions expressed on Hasafran are those of the individual author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) =========================================================== Submissions for Ha-Safran, send to: Hasafran @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu SUBscribing, SIGNOFF commands send to: Listproc @ lists.acs.ohio-state.edu Questions, problems, complaints, compliments;-) send to: galron.1 @ osu.edu Ha-Safran Archives: Current: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/maillist.html History: http://www.mail-archive.com/hasafran%40lists.acs.ohio-state.edu/history.html AJL HomePage http://www.JewishLibraries.org
