Lack of library qualification(s) hinders career prospects

I got my first library job when I was already 31 years old. I have been working at Hong Kong 7-Eleven convenience store, Swindon bookshop and an Audit firm. I chose the library sector because when I was young I frequently went to bookstores and libraries to pass my leisure time. After applying for library job unsuccessfully at the Hong Kong Public Library, the Hong Kong Polytechnic Library and the Hong Kong University Library, I was accepted to work as a library assistant of the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology Library finally. Gradually, I realize that all of the professional librarians in the library have a Master Degree in Library and/or Information Science in an English-speaking country such as Australia, Canada, USA etc. I know that there is a list of Accredited Master's Programs in Library and Information Studies listed in the Library and Book Trade Almanac published by Information Today, Inc. I also know that the Chartered Institue of Library and Information Professional is a professional body for librarians, information specialists and knowledge managers in UK, but I cannot afford to apply for overseas study because I have not enough money. So, I have been and still is a library assistant after 30 years of library work. Although my salary has been raised many times as I gain experience, I wished that I had a professional library qualification. I regret that I was born into a relatively poor family and I cannot achieve more in my life.

>1 12_lbpks: Have you considered the possibility of studying for a Master's degree online? I know there are some ALA-accredited programs that offer fully-online tuition at rates that are relatively reasonable. One you might look at is Valdosta State University in Georgia, USA, which is ALA accredited and would run in the neighborhood of US$12000 ($293/credit hour*39 credit hours plus fees) over at least two academic years.

https://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/education/master-of-library-and-information-sc...
(cf. https://www.ala.org/educationcareers/accreditedprograms/directory, and also https://www.valdosta.edu/colleges/education/master-of-library-and-information-sc... )

Not cheap, but a lot cheaper than moving abroad to study, and perhaps you could convince your employer to cover part of the cost. Just a thought. I wish you the best of luck.

>2 davidgn:
Thanks for your valuable information.

PO Kam Shing

https://ischool.sjsu.edu/mlis-international-applicants

San Jose State's MLIS is more expensive than Valdosta's program, but there may be financial aid available. It can be done all online from anywhere in the world.

>4 reconditereader: Thank you! This is a useful piece of information.