1. Facilitated by: Debbie Kaleva & Suzanne van den Hoogen Education Institute Webinar April 2013

2. NSCC Pictou Campus Library Angus L. Macdonald Library, StFX

3. Suzanne van den Hoogen received her BA from Saint Mary’s University in 1991. She worked in academic libraries for more than ten years before making the decision to pursue her MLIS degree. Entering graduate school in her late 30’s, Suzanne obtained her MLIS degree in 2009 from the Dalhousie School of Information Management. She is currently employed as an academic librarian with St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, NS. Debbie Kaleva received her Library Technician diploma from Sheridan College in 1976 and has worked in university, hospital and community college libraries for almost 25 years. She made the decision to return to school in her mid-40s and received her BA from St. Francis Xavier University in 2006 while working full-time. She graduated from Dalhousie University with her MLIS degree in 2008, and is currently employed as the campus librarian at the Nova Scotia Community College – Pictou Campus in Stellarton, NS.

4. Take Notes Ask Questions Review Later

5. Making the Decision The Value of Mentors Managing Expectations Course Selection Returning to Work Challenges & Opportunities Graduate Schools Canada International Funding Opportunities Suggested Readings

6. AutonomyJob SatisfactionFamily & AgeUndergraduate DegreeTaking the Plunge!

7. SerendipityTimeFamily & ChildrenEducation & ResearchTaking the Plunge!

8. Library Director Immediate Supervisor Encouragement & Support Educational Institution Environment Other professionals & colleagues Influence & Motivation

9. Library Director Immediate Supervisor Encouragement & Support Educational Institution Environment Other professionals & colleagues Influence & Motivation

10. Debbie Coping with Workload Compartmentalizing Organization Being Realistic Online/Distance Education Courses Professional Development Opportunities Money Classroom Demographics Suzanne Money Professional Development Opportunities Family: Child Care Online/Distance EducationCourses Part-time Studies

11. Considerations: Type of Library Required versus Elective Courses On-line versus On-campus courses Pre-approval to take Courses Academic vs Public Elective vs Required Practical vs Theoretical Online vs In-person Technology

12. Be RealisticHave PatienceEmbrace ChangeLife-long learningProfessional Associations

13. Status QuoMarket YourselfOpportunitiesKeep CurrentCommitteesVolunteerPersevere

14. Debbie Suzanne

16. http://www.ala.org/CFApps/lisdir/index.cfm

17. Student Loans University Scholarships, Bursaries Employment incentives/opportunities Part-time studies Library Associations Provincial Tax incentives

18. Buchanan, E., Myers, S. E., & Hardin, S. L. (2005). Holding your hand from a distance: Online mentoring and the graduate library and information science student. Journal of Educators Online, 2(2), 2. Hak Joon Kim, & Kusack, J. M. (2005). Distance education and the new MLS: The employer's perspective. Journal of Education for Library and Information Science, 46(1), 36-52. Pollard, S. (2007). Focus on new professionals. Feliciter, 53(2), 68-69. Poremba, M. (2008). Just Do LIT: A student perspective. Feliciter, 54(2), 65-67.