More Questions

Is there anyone I can talk to with questions I have about the profession?

If you are interested in finding out about what it’s like to be a special collections librarian or archivist, a good first step would be to call or email a special collection in your area to ask for an informational interview. Librarians and archivists frequently speak with current and prospective library school students and are often glad to talk about their work to people who are interested in the profession. Speaking with a professional in the field is a great way to learn about careers in special collections.

The RBMS Mentoring Program assists members who need help in becoming more involved with RBMS and in navigating the rare books and manuscripts profession. It attempts to match each "mentee" with a more senior member of the profession who has similar interests. Participants in this program must be RBMS members. The Society of American Archivists has a similar SAA Mentoring Program for its members.

For more information about electronic discussion lists where you may post your questions, see: Are there any electronic discussion lists that address current issues in rare book and manuscript librarianship?