The Next Chapter: Career Advice for Freshly Minted Library and Information Professionals

April 15, 2025

Congratulations to students in Library and Information Technician (LIT) programs and Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) programs completing their studies across Canada!

Graduation is a major milestone, one you should all be proud of, but with it often comes a mixture of excitement and uncertainty about what lies ahead.

To help bridge the gap between graduation and building your career in the field, we’ve gathered advice from seasoned library and information professionals across Canada.

Whether you’re actively searching for a job, heading into a library role or the broader information sector, this blog offers practical tips to support you as you begin your transition.

We hope you find this blog post inspiring and motivating as you enter this next step in your life.

Rachel Manes, MLIS
Western 2025

Madeleine McGregor, MI
Dalhousie 2024

Cate Carlyle

Curriculum Resource Centre Coordinator
Mount Saint Vincent University

My best advice? Network and apply!

LIS programs often attract candidates who fall into the introvert category and it is those introverts who will need to get out of their comfort zones upon graduating. Networking can be uncomfortable and feel unnatural but it works.

Find a mentor, reach out to library staff you encounter in your life, contact someone in the LIS field that interests you and invite them for a coffee and a chat about how best to enter the field.

Use online networking platforms to share your skills and connect with other LIS professionals. I (cold) emailed a public library CEO when I graduated and asked if I could “interview” her for five minutes on fer career. We met in person for a brief chat. One of the branches was hiring the following week and she urged me to apply. I mentioned the CEO in my cover letter, was given an interview and I got the job.

Also apply, apply, apply! Don’t make excuses and limit your applications. I know those excuses well: I don’t have the experience; it will be filled internally; they won’t hire a new grad; I don’t have all the skills listed. As Mr. Gretzky once said, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”

Also, don’t ignore temp or part-time job postings. Those roles often become permanent or full time and can lead to other more secure roles.

Allan Cho

Community Engagement & Partnerships Librarian
Irving K. Barber Learning Centre
The University of British Columbia

Congratulations on graduating from your Library Technician or MLIS program! As you embark on your career in library and information science, here is some key advice to help you succeed.

Build a Professional Network: Join organizations like ALA, CAPAL, or your local library association. Every association offers networking opportunities, resources, and support. Connect with peers, mentors, and professionals through alumni networks and social media.

Seek Mentorship: Find those who can provide guidance, share their experiences, and help you navigate your career. While many professional organizations offer mentorship programs, remember that you can also contact professionals you admire for informational interviews or advice. Many professionals are more than happy to pass on their knowledge to you. If you don’t ask, you will never know!

Self-Care: Library work can be very demanding, especially for new professionals. Practice self-care and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Regardless of what your employer asks of you, ensure that you leave time for yourself outside of work—and please don’t take work home with you.

Keep on Learning: The library and information science field is ever-evolving, so attend webinars, workshops, and conferences to stay updated on emerging technologies, trends, and best practices. To broaden your skill set, pursue additional certifications or courses in areas like digital librarianship, data management, or archival studies. Now that webinars are offered virtually, it’s easier than ever to take them.

Contribute to the Profession: Share your knowledge and experiences by writing blog posts, presenting at conferences, or participating in professional discussions. Consider getting involved in committees or volunteer roles within professional organizations.

Colleen Durkee

Deputy Director, Client Service and Engagement
Jules Léger Library
Global Affairs Canada

State your value: Recognize and articulate the unique experience, knowledge, and skills you offer. This is essential not only during the application process, where you should creatively align your assets with the role’s demands, but also once you secure a job.

Ask questions: Embrace your role as a newcomer by asking questions and offering fresh insights. Your perspective can be a valuable resource for yourself, your employer, and your community, prompting others to think in new ways.

Stay connected: Foster relationships with fellow graduates, professors, and supervisors. Don’t hesitate to reach out for support or networking opportunities. If you work for the federal public service, consider joining the Canadian Federal Library Strategic Network.

Erika Heesen

CEO/Chief Librarian
Perth & District Library

If you’re looking for a job in the field:

• use your research skills to find non-typical employers. A library degree can be used in many different ways!
• practice your answers and examples (out loud!) for commonly-asked interview questions
• before an interview, read the strategic plan or any similar document of the organization that you are hoping to work for. It will help you determine if this might be the right fit for you, and show the organization that you are engaged with them as a potential workplace.

Great advice that I received via a session at OLA Superconference: If you’ve been offered a job, even as a new professional, you have room to negotiate. Even if you don’t feel you can negotiate on salary, you could ask about vacation time or professional development budget.

Rebecca Jones

Director Emeritus
LLEAD Institute

Congratulations, Graduates – opportunities await.

The degree or certification you’ve just completed is more than a credential—it’s a foundation in how information is created, applied, managed, and deployed across countless fields.

This is just your first step in what can be a dynamic and evolving career in the library and information sector or in any sector you choose. Some of you may feel that you are going to always work in libraries; that may or may not be the case.Your skills and expertise are valuable in any industry, in any role.

Pursue jobs that excite you; every job uses information, and you will gain new skills, insights and know-how through myriad roles. Some of the most powerful insights come from working in different sectors, and those experiences can help shape and strengthen the future of libraries and information services. Don’t hesitate to experience jobs in other sectors and then bring your experiences to libraries and information.

Above all, keep learning to communicate with advanced listening and questioning skills. Believe in yourself. Believe in what you bring to a role. Respect yourself and respect others. Be curious; curiosity is the basis of information.

And, finally, build your network.

Deep relationships, brief relationships, all relationships keep us curious, communicating and connected.

Oh – and have fun. Whatever you do – smile and laugh every day, in some way.

Kanta Kapoor

Director, Support Services
Milton Public Library

For new library and information science graduates, my best advice is to be adaptable, curious, and community-focused. Libraries are evolving rapidly with digital technologies, AI-driven services, and innovative programming. Lifelong learning will be your greatest asset.

When I immigrated to Canada, I knew I wanted a career in libraries, but breaking into the profession required perseverance, continuous learning, and community involvement. Volunteering gave me hands-on experience, built my skills, and helped me understand the library’s role in people’s lives. Now, as a library leader, I can say that success in this profession comes from a dedication to learning, connecting, and innovating.

Your education is just the beginning. Real growth happens when you engage with patrons, technology, and emerging trends. Stay relevant by pursuing professional development—attend webinars, and conferences, and seek mentorship.

Libraries thrive on collaboration. Work closely with educators, community organizations, and local leaders. Active listening and open communication will help you create services that truly meet community needs.

Libraries must be welcoming for all. Apply an IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) lens to your work—whether decolonizing subject headings or developing inclusive programming.

Libraries are more than books; they are hubs for technology, learning, and engagement. Be open to experimenting with AI, digital literacy, and new services.

Lead with passion and purpose—every step you take will shape the future of this dynamic profession.

Sarah Meilleur

CEO
Calgary Public Library

Congratulations! Make sure you take time to celebrate your accomplishments and hard work. This is a big achievement, and something you should be proud of. You probably already have an idea of if you want to work in public libraries, and if so, exciting!

Public libraries are more important than they’ve ever been. We are public spaces, we support democracy, we help kiddos learn how to read, newcomers learn a new language, folks who are looking for new jobs, and communities who love to read. This work is sometimes difficult and challenging no doubt, and it’s also rewarding. If you love people, community, reading, and information, this is the right job for you.

And if you don’t know yet, explore different options.

Reach out and talk to people in all different types of library jobs to consider what will be a fit for you.

Attend conferences, spend time in libraries and apply, apply, and apply. It’s an exciting time to be entering a library career.