After nearly 10 years working in bookstores and publishing, Lui Vega is building the skills to pursue a career in public librarianship through USC Bovard College’s online Master of Management in Library and Information Science (MMLIS).
For Los Angeles Public Library cybernaut Lui Vega, one of the most rewarding aspects of working at a library is being able to provide a free service to the public: “There’s nothing better to me than being able to help someone out.” (Photo: Courtesy of Lui Vega)
For some students, a master’s degree represents an opportunity to pivot into an entirely new career. For Lui Vega, it’s helping him open doors in a field he has long been passionate about.
A lifelong lover of books, Vega spent nearly a decade working in bookstores and publishing before realizing he wanted to work more directly with readers. Now, he is pursuing a career in public librarianship through USC Bovard College’s online Master of Management in Library and Information Science (MMLIS) program.
Vega’s professional journey began at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City, where he studied theater as an undergraduate student. After graduation, however, he followed his longstanding interest in books.
“I’ve been in the world of books for about a decade,” he said. “I’ve been working in bookstores, at publishing companies, imprints, things like that, in New York and Los Angeles.”
While he enjoyed working in the book industry, Vega eventually realized he wanted a role that allowed him to connect with people more directly.
“I enjoyed what I was doing, but I wanted to be able to help people,” he said. “I had an epiphany that I really wanted to try to start working in libraries.”
As he explored graduate programs to assist with his career change, USC Bovard College quickly emerged as a top choice. The program’s management focus particularly appealed to Vega, who ultimately hopes to lead a library of his own.
“I had heard about USC and knew it came with a certain amount of prestige,” he said. “A couple of my friends are undergrad alumni as well, and they had recommended the school to me, so I gravitated toward it.”
As a USC student, Vega didn’t have to wait until graduation to begin his new career. Since September 2025, he has worked part time at the Los Angeles Public Library as a cybernaut — a role that provides free, one-on-one technology assistance and digital literacy training to the public.
For Vega, one of the most rewarding aspects of working at a library is being able to provide something to people without a price tag attached. He especially enjoys telling patrons who expect to pay for a service: “Nothing, it’s free.”
“That is a good feeling for sure,” he said. “There’s nothing better to me than being able to help someone out.”
Because Vega entered the program without a background in librarianship, he has appreciated the breadth of subjects covered, from technology and collections development to community engagement.
“The program does a great job of introducing you to a lot of different subject matter in libraries,” he said. “The community focus is there, too, and that’s been one of the biggest things for me that I’ve been able to apply today in my current role.”
For Vega, understanding the community a library serves is essential to effective public librarianship: “You have to know the community’s specific needs and what they’re looking for and what the library can offer to them,” he said.
The program’s focus on emerging technology, including artificial intelligence, has also been particularly relevant.
“I know AI has been a polarizing topic, but I think that we as library professionals in the field need to be aware of what it is because people will come in and have questions about it and want to use it,” he said. “I think it’s good to know how to use it responsibly and be able to educate the public on it, so we have to educate ourselves first.”
Beyond the coursework, Vega has valued the collaborative nature of the MMLIS program. While professors provide lectures and instruction, students also regularly work together in groups, an experience that has helped him become more adaptable and exposed him to new perspectives.
“I love working with my classmates and professors,” he said. “There are so many people I know I’m going to want to stay in touch with.”
The program’s online format has also made it possible for Vega to balance his studies with his job at the Los Angeles Public Library.
“There’s been a lot of flexibility with everyone involved, which has been great,” he said.
While Vega is set to graduate in 2026, he already has his sights set on the next stage of his career. He hopes to continue working at the Los Angeles Public Library while pursuing opportunities to take on greater responsibility. Eventually, he would like to manage a collection, lead a branch or move into a senior leadership position within a public library.
While Vega knows his plans may evolve, one thing is clear: Public librarianship is where he sees his future.
“That concept may change with time. I’m flexible with the possibilities, but I know that public librarianship is definitely my end goal,” he said.
Learn more about the online Master of Management in Library and Information Science (MMLIS) program.
This article originally appeared on USC Online.