I thought I would respond to your question since I have been on both
sides of this issue. I got my MLS first, working part-time at the BYU Law
school Library while in Library School. A job opened as Serials Librarian
just as I graduated with my MLS. I worked for several years there
without a JD and even worked my way into head of reference. I feel I
did an adequate job without a JD. However, the time came when I felt
the need for a JD if I wanted to progress in this field. I quit and went to
law school at BYU.
Now that I am back as Reference Librarian I realize all the false
information I gave out before I got my JD. In retrospect I feel of my two
degrees, the JD is the more important. I believe that is truer for
Reference Librarians than other areas of the library. However, I know
several non-JD Reference Librarians that are very sharp. They have
self-taught themselves on the subject of law. But for myself, the JD is
very valuable. I feel a lot more confident in dealing with the students,
faculty, and the public with that background knowledge.
Karen Newmeyer
Reference Librarian
BYU Law School Library
newmeyer@lawgate.byu.edu
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