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Hi Patrick, Clearly, folks here have some strong feelings on this topic. My advice is that you inventory your basic skills, set your goals, and create a plan. Clearly, unless you can come up with a unique and essential product, or claw your way to the top of a vendor organization, you are not going to get rich in the library business. I got involved with the internet and libraries before the web, and later built my business on that foundation. I've had a lot of fun doing it. I was fortunate to get some introduction to computer science in school, in the age of punchcards and building-sized computers less powerful than my watch. CS is much different now, but still it is a good place to start. It doesn't matter if you go to a Community College or to MIT, as long as your instructors are engaging.I learned Fortran and assembler, then C, then Basic (non-visual), and moved on from there. I spent a lot of time mastering SQL, and found that my math background came in very handy there. When I started working with libraries, I found that the many faces of XML, and markup languages, in general, were very useful and brought me a lot of opportunities, I also spent a lot of time learning about computers and their operating systems. I learned Unix by working on my first web server, a DEC Alpha, then using a Sun workstation. This put me in good stead for working on the Linux-based servers that we use now. I think that the key is to keep your ear to the ground, and stay up-to-date with new tech. Code4libCon, BTW, is a great place to do that. Feel free to reach out. Thanks, Cary On Thu, Dec 15, 2022 at 3:14 PM Patrick Pletcher < [log in to unmask]> wrote: > Hi, this is my first time posting to a list like this. I am a circulation > clerk who is learning to code at freecodecamp.org. Right now I am > studying html and css, but I plan on going through all the lessons on the > website. I enjoy working in libraries, and I also enjoy writing code. I am > not sure where I am going with this. Do I stay in the library field, or do > I go off in a completely different direction? I would appreciate your > input. I think I would like best to work for a company that provides access > to eBooks or audio books. I like print, but I don't see people using ink > printed on dead trees 50 years from now, with all of the environmental > issues the planet is facing. > -- Cary Gordon, MLS The Cherry Hill Company http://chillco.com