One potential pitfall to avoid is conflating specific programming job
requirements with a having CS background.

I can sling metadata with the best of them; however that doesn't make
me a metadata librarian.

Similarly, knowing PHP isn't the same as having a CS background.

This strict adherence to MLS requirements is a reason that 60 year old
ideas, implemented in 20 year old software, still haven't made their
way over to libraries yet. I would love to see more institutions bring
in outsiders. Having to get them up to speed on academic
library-specific issues would be offset by long-term gains coming from
cross-pollination. Diversity matters.

Tom

On Thu, Dec 7, 2017 at 2:46 PM, Kate Deibel <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Honestly, this is one of the reasons I decided last year to apply to online MLS programs despite having a PhD in computer science. While I love doing library technology work, I didn't want to be stuck doing just development or have to go the ITS manager route. Some positions do list "or equivalent" but it's always a crapshoot.
>
> Of course, I somehow managed to find this sweet librarian gig involving my accessibility tech skills without the MLS. I'm still going to do it, though, since I now work for the school whose online MLS program I signed up for. Tuition remission benefits rock!
>
> Katherine Deibel | PhD
> Inclusion & Accessibility Librarian
> Syracuse University Libraries
> T 315.443.7178
> [log in to unmask]
> 222 Waverly Ave., Syracuse, NY 13244
> Syracuse University
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Code for Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Haitz, Lisa (haitzlm)
> Sent: Thursday, December 7, 2017 2:33 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Systems Librarian / software developer
>
> Interesting… I too have worked on web dev for years. Have been thinking of doing an MS; our university does not have an MLS. But to move into faculty here, I would need the MLS, and pay somewhere else, the MS doesn’t do me any good here.
>
> On 12/7/17, 2:27 PM, "Code for Libraries on behalf of Jason Bengtson" <[log in to unmask] on behalf of [log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>     If you want to go that route, I'd be prepared to worry less about education
>     and more about experience. Using myself as an example, I have no CS degree.
>     In fact, two of my degrees are in English. But I've been doing complex,
>     full stack web development for years. I'm glad you're broaching this . . .
>     IMHO, many libraries are still doing a very poor job of adapting to a
>     modern footing. Where I'm at now, because I manage IT, I'm basically locked
>     out of faculty, despite my record of scholarship.
>
>     Best regards,
>
>     *Jason Bengtson*
>
>
>     *http://www.jasonbengtson.com/ <http://www.jasonbengtson.com/>*
>
>     On Thu, Dec 7, 2017 at 6:10 AM, Samson, Bob <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>     > I have a question regarding staff development and I am hoping someone can
>     > provide some advice.  I have two vacant librarian positions in my Library
>     > Systems department.  I need to fill those vacancies with software/systems
>     > developers in order to move our initiatives forward.  We have encountered
>     > reluctance on the part of our human resources to repurpose those librarian
>     > positions into developer positions.
>     >
>     > Has anyone had success in posting Systems Librarian positions using
>     > education and experience requirements consistent with software developers?
>     > We have sufficient flexibility in hiring librarians, but the skill sets
>     > differ significantly between librarians and developers.  Ideally, we would
>     > want someone with backgrounds in computer science rather than library
>     > science, for example.  I'm curious to know if anyone has tried this and
>     > been successful.
>     >
>     > Bob Samson
>     > Head of Library Systems & Technology
>     > University of Texas at Arlington
>     >
>
>