Which would be better to work in manuscripts: a degree in Library Sciences or Museum Conservation?

Hello Elaysha!

I agree that if you want hands on experience Museum Conservation is the way to go. From what I know of the industry you can do a conservation concentration focusing in manuscript preservation/paper documents or archaeological conservation, both of which are potentially useful. However be aware that to apply for a conservation program, you need a background in chemistry/science and art rather than a straightforward museum studies degree. A Library Science degree can also be seen as useful but you may not get as much hands on experience that way. I'm a ancient historian and recent graduate with my second MA of a museum studies MA program. I'm interested in ancient world materials, and have done several collections related internships and considered going into conservation as a career before switching to museum education and a historian career path.

Hey there! The two fields both deal with texts, but if you are looking to deal with manuscript preservation you definitely want to go with the Conservation route. Library Sciences, these days, are mainly focused on database management, much more digitally technical than preservation and translation. A observation Sciences will allow you to do hands on work with texts. For translation, that can be a skill you apply to your job. As you are studying the conservation arts, pick up a language or two at the same time. I used to work at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and thought the Conservator were the coolest because they actually got to touch the art.