r/LibraryScience • u/RedPlanetStand-up • 2d ago

Transitioning out of librarianship

I've worked as a public librarian in the Chicago suburbs for 3.5 years. I may transition to another career field. I am looking into program coordinator positions for nonprofits. Did you ever switch careers from libraries to something else? If so, what was it?

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u/Snoo-37573 1d ago

I know people who moved into prospecting (researching potential donors/funders) for a nonprofit. Not my cup of tea, but seems something librarians can be good at.

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u/RedPlanetStand-up 1d ago

Good to know

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u/thewholebottle 1d ago

That's what a librarian I worked with ended up doing.

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u/girly3636 1d ago

I transitioned from an academic librarian to a prospect researcher at a nonprofit - first in higher education and now in an international nonprofit. While I miss the library in a way, I enjoy prospect research more. I enjoy doing the research on potential donors, doing deeper analysis projects, and organizing data. Of course, it can get stressful at times, but I enjoy it. I like that Iā€™m still helping people by working in a nonprofit but from a more behind the scenes place where I can still work with information and knowledge. And right before the switch to prospect research, I was an academic program coordinator which seemed to also use my library skills as well. Good luck with the job transition. šŸ˜€

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u/RedPlanetStand-up 1d ago

Thanks. I like where I work now, I'm just not getting adequate income and there's issues with commuting far and moving in this field that I don't necessarily want to deal with forever.

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u/franker 1d ago

Just curious what type of databases/resources you use for that? I probably can't get access as a regular public librarian though.

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u/girly3636 1d ago

It varies by organization and budget. Some of them include: Lexis Nexus, iWave (my favorite), DonorSearch, LiveAlumni. Candid/Foundation Directory.

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u/charethcutestory9 1d ago

I worked in research at a medical school for a few years before returning to libraries

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u/DrJohnnieB63 1d ago

u/RedPlanetStand-up

From 2020 to 2023, I switched from librarianship to finance. I became a mortgage banker (sales) and then a mortgage underwriter. I returned to librarianship in 2023.

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u/birdsfly14 18h ago

I went from non-profits to libraries and feel much more secure in my library job, but that's just me. Not enough resources/personnel, doing extra work without pay, and burnout are common in both fields.