Apart from the front-of-house stuff most of the work done in a library is office work. Of course, it's office work for the greater good (if you think helping people out is the greater good) rather than for lining some cunt's pockets.
Seeing how the library degree is post graduate only (here, anyway. The prerequisites for the MIS are a BA(Hons) or Master's degree in any subject), most of your fellow students will be in their mid-20s at the youngest, so you're unlikely to be a total outlier. Of the people I know with an MIS, the youngest started it at 24 while most of the others (I know maybe 6 people with an MIS) were 30+ when they did it. In NZ, it's only a one year course and since only one university offers it most people do it through distance learning.
The reason I don't apply to get qualified right now is that I have no desire to return to university in the immediate future. But like you said, the expenses are a barrier too. I figure there's no rush - not like libraries are going anywhere, right?
can you use a search engine? if yes, you'll be able to figure out whatever library software within a few days, including the specifics of how they deal with issues/returns/fees and whatever other admin-type things you'll have to deal with.
some qualities that are valued by the recruitment people at my workplace (and from what I can tell most public libraries down here):
>customer service
at its essence being a librarian is about helping people. whether it's finding books, filling out dole papers, looking up family history or whatever, you're going to be dealing with a lot of different people with a lot of different needs.
>computer literacy
because you'll be using a computer a lot, and you'll probably also be helping others with their computers and smartphones
>dealing with fucked up shit
things like aggravated assaults and indecent exposure unfortunately do come up and knowing what to do in these situations is helpful. At the other end of the "fucked up shit" scale: you'll probably witness some pretty heart-wrenching poverty and deprivation so a certain level of sensitivity and empathy goes a long way. (this only really applies to public libraries. in ~18 months at a uni library the only memorable incident of this sort was that a couple were fucking in a toilet once, and this other time I was asleep on a couch and got mistaken for a homeless guy; whereas at my current work there's probably violence/threats/spilt fluids every other day)
there's definitely more, but I think those are the main ones to lie about on your CV. it also helps not having a generic cover letter. let your personality show through rather than copy-pasting some mince about being a team-player with great communication skills.
