WMU needs library studies major

By Hassan Al-Momani
Western Herald

Library studies major has become a highly demanded field by many institutions in the United States. This is due to the fact there is an increasing number of students who want to complete their graduate studies in the library studies. There are many of academic institutions abroad that seek to employ American university graduates in the field of library studies.

Western Michigan University has a great potential in establishing a graduate program in library studies because of the rich resources for the students of this major, such as electronic resources and multimedia.

Waldo library has a group of highly specialized professionals who would be a great resource for students. There are a lot of these specialists who hold M.A.s and Ph.D.s in library studies, and who taught this major for a long time.

Waldo library has great trainers who designed many training workshops for the employees of Waldo library. These trainers would be a great resource for the students of library studies in that they could provide the students with any updates about library studies. Besides, our university library has a very powerful administration, which works all day and night to serve the students.

Students go to Wayne State University to join the library studies program. These students would join WMU if they find the program here.

Why does our university lose these students who can bring financial support to our university?

A lot of international academic institutions will be ready to send their students to get a graduate degree in this field. I have a friend who was sent by a university in Jordan to pursue a graduate degree in library studies at Wayne State University. I contacted him five days ago and he told me that he is able to send some students to get a graduate degree in library studies. Thus, a graduate program in library studies will be internationally worthwhile because it will attract a lot of international students to join the program and to support our university financially.

Our university library can establish a graduate certificate in library studies, which is different from the graduate degree. This certificate can be completed by taking twelve credit hours in the field of library studies, in which the student will be given a graduate certificate in library studies.

This certificate will enable the students to start their job in the library field. This certificate will also enrich our university with a good number of experienced students who could help our library to proceed and to develop through helping the library staff.

Then when our university library is in need of qualified students to work, there will be a lot of certificate holders who are specialized in doing the library work.
The purpose of establishing a graduate major or certificate in library studies should stem from the fact that WMU should not lose the students who seek to complete their studies in library studies in Michigan.

Short URL: http://www.westernherald.com/?p=13559

Posted by HeraldAdmin on Jan 13 2010. Filed under Editorial, Opinion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Cody Kimball
Web Manager: I'm a Communication Student at WMU, a SCUBA Diver, Boater, Ordained Minister, Notary Public, Web Designer, Film Maker, DJ, and of course a Journalist. Born and raised in Port Huron, MI and a graduate of SC4. http://www.codykimball.com