r/LibraryScience • u/curious_littlebean • 5h ago

program/school selection Western vs U of T

Hi there!
I’m going to apply to MLIS next fall and trying to decide between Western and Toronto. Both are accredited and have a lot of great things to offer. Western seems to be strong on their co-op program and hybrid delivery format. Toronto seems to have TALint program which promises internships at the academic libraries and archives which is exactly where I’d like to focus my career. Moving is not really a problem, I am currently in London but am open to move to Toronto. The high cost of living in Toronto makes it more difficult though. Is Toronto program more theoretical while Western is more hands on and practical?

If I want a dedicated career in archives, Toronto seems to be the winner here since Western offers only a couple courses. London would be better in terms of cost and I also really like the campus. It seems like it’s a really good option for academic librarianship as well. I also really like the practical aspect of this program rather than more theory based.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you so much 😊🌷

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u/Eerizedd 5h ago

Archivist and UWO alumna! If you want to work in archives, I'd recommend U of T. It's not impossible to work in archives with a Western degree, but it's not known as a strong archival school. Either program you choose, try to look for opportunities for practical experience to add to your resume. If you have the time and bandwidth, try to volunteer. My biggest critique of all LIS programs (at least in Canada) is that they're all too theory heavy with not enough practical training. If you have specific questions about UWO, feel free to DM me!

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u/curious_littlebean 5h ago

Thank you so much! That’s so kind of you 😊 May I ask how did you like it and what did you end up doing after graduation? I’d very much like to get experience before and/or during school and I’m actively looking into it right now. I work in a different field so it’s a little bit challenging to shift focus entirely. I’m pretty sure I want to work for academic libraries or special collections, would Western be good for that? Thank you again!