Author: Susanne Markgren

Assistant Director of the Library for Technical Services
Q: Most places need some sort of experience, but I do not know if my work and life experience will do?

Q: Most places need some sort of experience, but I do not know if my work and life experience will do?

by Susanne Markgren ♥ 1 Comment

Q: I’m interested in working in a library environment, but hold no previous experience. The only thing I hold is a great passion for literature. I would like to work within this educational environment, but do not know what to do. Most places need some sort of experience, but I do not know if my work and life experience will do?

TA: Well, I am certainly glad that you are considering librarianship as a profession, but I would add a word of caution: most librarians I know don’t sit around and read, so a “passion for literature” needs to be supplemented with a passion for library work. I hear in your question a love of books and a fondness for the campus lifestyle, but I do not hear any enthusiasm for library work. I may have misinterpreted your question, or, perhaps having not worked in a library, you are unsure about the work and so cannot express enthusiasm for those possibilities. You need to know what goes on in a library (from the service point of view) before you can decide if you would like to make a commitment to the profession. You can do this in a number of ways:

  1. Schedule informational interviews Make an appointment with an individual working in a position that you may be considering. Ask general questions about the work, the environment, and how they got to this point in their career. Do not stay longer than 15 minutes unless invited to do so. And be sure to send a thank you note after your visit to express your gratitude for their time and for freely sharing information about their position and career in librarianship. For a quick article on informational interviewing, check out Carole Martin’s article “Informational Interviewing: The Neglected Job Search Tool” at http://interview.monster.com/articles/informational/ .
  2. Volunteer By volunteering to shelve books at your public library or assisting with a Friends of the Library book sale, you will make invaluable contacts and gather information that will help you determine if this is work you really enjoy.
  3. Research careers in libraries Take a look at ALA’s Human Resource Development and Recruitment site to learn about opportunities in librarianship. You will also find other general resources for researching careers in libraries.

When you are ready to pursue a career in a library, start researching job opportunities in your area (or elsewhere, if you are geographically mobile). In most cases, unless you possess a Masters in Library Science or a Masters in a comparable field, you will not be eligible for a librarian position. You may want to consider researching and applying for library support staff positions. If you are interested in an educational environment, look at your local college or university library for possible opportunities. Also consider school libraries, large public libraries and special libraries.

Read vacancy announcements to determine the qualifications of a position and look for transferable skills. Transferable skills (see previous columns) are skills learned in one context that easily transfer to another. For example, if you managed a video store and supervised ten employees, you may have gained valuable experience in the areas of supervision, managing a budget, and/or facilities operation. These experiences would all translate well into another setting, whether it’s a university library, a public library – or another video store.

If you enjoy working in a library, you may want to eventually consider returning to school for an MLS. You can find ALA-accredited programs in your area online.

SM: I agree with all of Tiffany’s suggestions. You definitely need to do a little research and find out what is involved in working in a library before you start looking for a job in one. And, just to reiterate, you will need more than a “passion for literature” to work in libraries. Sadly, we do very little reading on the job. The only librarians I know who do quite a bit of reading are children’s librarians, and most children’s books, as interesting as they can be, are not what you’re likely referring to as “literature.”

Librarianship is a very difficult profession to define. People generally have no idea what librarians do, other than help patrons find resources and information. This is partly because our profession is so diverse; we do very different things in very different places. The best way to figure out if you will really like working in libraries is to actually work in one, in your case, most likely as support staff. All libraries depend greatly on their support staff. These positions can be exceptional learning opportunities for those expecting to pursue their MLS, or wonderful careers in themselves.

Getting library experience, of any kind, will help you decide if a career in libraries is right for you. Also start thinking about what kind of library you want to work in, and in what capacity. The three main areas of libraries are public services, technical services, and administration. If you really want to work with people in an educational capacity, you may want to find a position in public services. I have worked in a variety of library positions over the years, in professional and non-professional roles, both part-time and full-time, in public libraries, a government library, a theater library, a theology library, and both large and small academic libraries. The experience I gained along the way has been invaluable in shaping and charting my career as a librarian. There is nothing like working in a library to help you figure out if you truly want to be a librarian – how do you know until you try it? Good luck!

For more information on the profession and the different roles within libraries, take a look at the Occupational Outlook Handbook entries on Librarians, Library Assistants, and Library Technicians; and the Getting Started section of Lisjobs.com.

Q: How do I make the transition from one position to another, very different, one?

Q: How do I make the transition from one position to another, very different, one?

by Susanne Markgren ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Q: I am currently in a special library setting, working on controlled vocabulary issues for a digital images company. My intention in going to library school was to get a position as a reference librarian at a university. How do I make the transition?

TA: What do they say – that the pathway to library school is paved with good intentions? In all seriousness, many of us go into library school with one career plan in mind, and come out with a job in something else. I work on a campus with a library school, and have worked closely with some of these graduates. I have first-hand experience with students who enter school wanting to be a reference librarian, but discover a passion for preservation, special collections, archives, or something else they stumbled across (in the classroom or a field experience). Once you have taken a job in one area and then decide to get back to your first love, though, how do you make that transition?

First, you need to assess your own skill set and think about how you can extend those skills to other situations. For example, in your current job, you may work with individuals from the digital images company. Think of these people as your “customers,” or “patrons,” and think of the work you do for them in terms of public service. Do you work with them to answer their questions? Do you consult reference materials? Do you perform a mini reference interview with your customers to gather more information about their requests? Some, or all, or none, of these may apply, but what I am trying to convey is the need to examine your skill set to find transferable skills. Transferable skills are those that you pick up in one context but that can carry over to new situations. Computer skills, customer service skills, budget, management and supervisory experience — these are all examples of transferable skills. Think about the skills you have and how they may fit into the new career opportunity you may be pursuing.

That leads us next into assessing the needs of the new position. Susanne will be touching on job searching and gaining relevant experience.

SM: Making the move from one type of position, or one type of library, to another can be a daunting prospect. I think many librarians either have a fear of being typecast or a fear of breaking out of their “safety zone.” If they are working in a public setting, how can they make the switch to medical or academic? If they have only worked in technical services, how can they switch to public services? This fear can lead to missed opportunities and can make perfectly hirable and motivated librarians afraid of looking for and accepting alternative roles and positions.

The good news is that times, and roles, are changing. Librarian roles are not what they used to be, and stereotypes, at least within the library world, are slowly dissolving. Librarians are overall becoming more and more diversified. Traditional positions are getting harder to find in today’s rapidly-changing environment, as librarians are obtaining a variety of skills and taking on multiple roles within their libraries. A reference librarian position can no longer be interpreted as just sitting behind a reference desk and waiting for patrons to ask questions. In today’s world, it can also mean answering and managing virtual reference transactions, keeping up with changing technology and troubleshooting technology issues, developing and teaching library instruction classes, creating marketing and outreach strategies, dealing with privacy and copyright issues, and selecting and reviewing library resources – to name just a few reference-related tasks. As library environments change, librarians who are in more traditional roles or who wish for a little more diversity need to take active roles in redefining their positions within the library.

Finding that “dream job” may be impossible, but finding a position that matches both your interests and your skills is very attainable. You can make the job-hunting process easier by having a willingness to relocate and keeping an open mind about positions and institutions that you might not normally consider.

Relocating will allow you to greatly expand your search and go where the job is. Whether or not this is realistic for you, and for some it is not possible, you will still need to be creative and comprehensive in your search – as well as patient.

Keeping an open mind about librarian roles and titles may open up more doors. If you are looking for an academic position, how about considering a job in a “special academic” library, such as one focusing on health sciences, law, or art? And, if you are looking for a reference position, think about considering a position that includes reference tasks such as desk hours as part, but not necessarily the majority, of its duties. Many positions, especially at universities, are becoming more diversified. You may find an electronic services position that includes regular reference desk hours, for example. But, be careful…don’t just apply for a job for the reference aspect of it, you should be interested in all aspects of the job. Also, reference positions typically go hand-in-hand with instruction, so be prepared to teach.

As you begin your job search, try to be as exhaustive and thorough as you can. Look at ads in journals, trade magazines, association web sites, e-mail job lists, and job-related web sites. Be sure to look closely at the descriptions, the qualifications, and the requirements for each position before applying. Titles can be deceptive, so do not rely on these alone to accurately or completely describe the position. Take the time to write a good and detailed cover letter that emphasizes your transferable skills and your experience as it relates to the position at hand. Reference librarians need good technology skills, as well as excellent communication skills, and the experience you have gained in your present position will only help to enhance your resume and entice potential employers.

Job sites and e-mail lists to utilize in your search include:

Another way to stay current and involved in what interests you is by joining and participating in associations. Two that you may want to look into are the Reference & User Services Association (RUSA) and the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL).

To assist you in your job search, you may want to obtain more relevant experience and skills. This could include taking classes, finding a mentor, volunteering, or just doing some research. Related experience of any kind will add weight to your resume and show potential employers that you are motivated and willing to learn new things.

Continuing education classes, workshops, conferences, and symposia are always good ways to network, learn new skills, and keep up with technology. ACRL’s Professional Tools page has information on e-learning workshops. Its Office of Leadership and Management Services (ARL/OLMS) offers online classes and webcasts on a variety of topics. Also, local chapters of associations and state library associations typically offer classes or symposia for their members. For technology-related classes on topics like Dreamweaver, XML, or MS Access, look into local or online computer learning centers.

Volunteering is an excellent way to network with the library community and to learn about different types of positions and library systems. Many public library systems have volunteer programs that may allow you to get experience in teaching, reference, circulation, cataloging, or numerous other library tasks.

The experience you crave may be right under your nose. Find out what you can do at your current job to gain relevant experience. Is there someone who can mentor you? Can you spend time learning and performing reference duties? Some libraries even offer “exchange programs” between departments such as cataloging and reference, or acquisitions and archives. Talk to your supervisor and find out if this is possible. I know librarians who have switched jobs but stayed within the same institution by doing this.

At the very least, do your homework and research the ins and outs of the position. Find competencies, best practices, guidelines, and standards dealing with reference librarianship and/or academic librarianship. Read the current literature to stay informed of trends and initiatives going on in reference services, especially virtual reference and its many tools, and be prepared to use this information in your interview.

TA: And, speaking of the interview…You have assessed your experience and strengths, found an opportunity that matches both your interests and skills, and created a resume that expresses your skills and how they match the needs of the new position. Now, an institution has called you for an interview. This is your opportunity to once again express your enthusiasm for the position, and to reiterate how your skills closely match the institution’s needs. Think of your experience in terms of the needs of the position and be sure to convey how your skills will transfer from one context to another.

Inevitably, someone will ask why you are making the switch from a special library to an academic library. Be sure to have an answer prepared — and, you’ll need something more than “it’s what I went to library school for.” Again, speak in terms of the position. Hiring organizations want to hear that you want THEIR job, not just ANY job in an academic library. You can begin with something like: “I always thought I would work in a university library, but an excellent opportunity (the special library) came along. I decided it was something I wanted to pursue in order to gain valuable skills and experience.” Then, get more specific: “I recently saw this opportunity and it reinforced my desire to get back the university, working more directly with students and faculty. I like the challenges presented in the position and believe my experience in [X, Y and Z] closely match the needs of this position.” Bring your transferable skills into the conversation, and match them to the position’s required and preferred qualifications.

In any organization, people want to hire the best candidate, the one who most closely matches the needs of the position and the organization. It will be your job as that candidate to educate those making the hiring decision, showing that your skills, although gained in a different environment, will transfer to their organization and that they make you the best-qualified candidate. If you take the time to assess your skills, closely examine the qualifications of the position during your job search, and prepare to discuss how your skills closely match the needs of the organization, you will have the information you need for a successful interview. Good luck with your search!

[ed.: See also the May 2001 ICT on “changing careers” – scroll down to read.]

Q: What do I say about my last job (which did not end well) when I go on an interview?

Q: What do I say about my last job (which did not end well) when I go on an interview?

by Susanne Markgren ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Q: I have over 12 years experience with public libraries. I stayed in one place for 11 years. Since they would not promote me, I left to get a promotion with another place – which lasted 8 months. What do I say when I go on an interview about my last job? I never bad-mouth my supervisor when I interview, but they still want to know what happened. My boss was an autocrat. I also believe my age (53) is a hindrance, even though I am willing to relocate. It seems like experience doesn’t count for anything. I believe in participatory management, which I do not think most library administrations believe in despite what management books say! I have an interview in a couple weeks for a branch manager job. What am I doing wrong?

TA: I’m of the opinion that the power is all in the spin. First and foremost, take a positive approach. In any interview, it is always best to focus on your strengths. Talk about your strengths and your qualifications for the position. Describe the experience you have gained in your 12 years of working in public libraries. Don’t talk about your age – talk about your life experience. Look for transferable skills – if you worked somewhere prior to your work in libraries, look at the experience gained there and relate it to the position for which you are applying.

Your willingness to relocate is also an asset. If someone asks why you left your first position, don’t say it was because they wouldn’t promote you. Take a more proactive position: say that you were looking for an advancement opportunity. If you are asked why you didn’t stay longer than eight months in your next position, simply say that you realized it was not a good fit and you wanted to pursue something more in line with your career goals, such as managing people, managing collections, or managing services. Keep your answers relevant to your experience and to the position for which you are applying. It is very wise of you to not speak negatively about your former supervisor in an interview. Speaking ill of past employers doesn’t reflect well on you, and it sends the message to the potential employer that if you speak negatively about one employer, you may speak negatively about them.

Now let’s address your question about participatory management. Every library is different, and, frankly, there are some that do not welcome input on management decisions from everyone. Keep in mind that you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. I firmly believe that no one should come into a new position and institute change as their first item on the “To Do” list. I think you need to learn a job before you change it. But if participation is something that is important to you, ask about it during the interview. Ask how often staff are invited to participate in major decisions. Do support staff employees serve on library-wide committees and task forces? Are there opportunities for asking questions and providing feedback? If this is something that is important to you, you can inquire about it in the interview.

ALA’s Human Resource Development and Recruitment (HRDR) web page links to various support staff web pages that you may find interesting in your path of career development

ALA’s Library Support Staff Interests Round Table also has activities and resources you may be interested in pursuing. Their online newsletter is a great resource.

SM: Librarianship can be a very competitive field, and self- promotion is extremely important when attempting to move up the ranks. There are many positions in many libraries that are “dead- ends” – that will never result in promotion. Most librarians need to move around in order to get ahead, gaining experience in different places and hopefully acquiring promotions and different skills along the way. Library managers understand this, perhaps more so than others. Diversity on your resume will help you in the long run and will entice future employers. You left a dead-end position for a promotion at a different library. That shows that you are motivated and determined, and that you have relevant skills and experience to get promoted. And experience definitely counts, just make sure that your resume and your cover letter accurately reflects it.

If you feel uncomfortable during an interview, or as if the interviewer is not treating you fairly because of your age or your previous library experience, then perhaps the position you are interviewing for is not one you would want. Keep interviewing until you find the position that fits you. Being willing to relocate should make it a little easier to find that ideal position. As Tiffany mentioned, keeping a positive attitude about the profession, and especially about your experience and skills, will help you immensely. Good luck!

The Public Library Association’s (PLA) web site is a good place to look for information on career development, e-learning opportunities, and advocacy for public librarianship.

For tips on interviewing, writing cover letters and more check out the Job Hunting section of LIScareer.com.

Writing Resumes That Work: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians, by Robert R. Newlen, provides useful advice on how to create a resume and how to keep it up-to-date, using real resumes from different types of librarians.

Q: How exactly do I get my employer to give me what I want – a promotion?

Q: How exactly do I get my employer to give me what I want – a promotion?

by Susanne Markgren ♥ 1 Comment

Q: I completed my MLS in May of 2003. Both before that time and since, I have taken on increased responsibilities at the special library where I work (in a non-professional position), most of which are at the professional level. I have been at this library for almost 2.5 years. I really like my workplace and would like to continue here as a professional. How exactly do I get my employer to give me what I want – a promotion? (Sooner, rather than later, because I won’t wait forever.) I am working on a document that demonstrates my worth (from my past reviews, accomplishments, etc.) and I plan to present this to the head of the library. My current boss is very supportive of me and would like to see me promoted into a professional position, but this usually happens when a position is “open” and currently there are none. I think the situation warrants either my promotion or the creation of a new position, especially since I will be filling in for my boss – in a professional capacity – when she is on leave (for a year). Please help.

SM: It sounds like you have already made up your mind and have started to implement a good plan. Creating a document that demonstrates your worth and discussing it with the higher-ups at your library is an excellent idea and a sign that you are not content with the status quo. Many academic librarians are required to do just that, document and demonstrate professional activity both during work and outside of work, for promotion and tenure. So this is good practice for you.

In my experience, it has always been my immediate boss who lobbied for me and procured my raises and promotions, which makes sense because he knew my work better than the director. Since your boss is supportive of you, I would try to engage her help as much as possible. Her words and opinion will mean a lot to her superiors and she should be involved in your discussion with them, if possible. If you do not have much contact with the head of the library, she may not be aware of everything that you have accomplished while working there or of your desire to move into a professional position. However, she cannot be surprised, considering you recently completed your MLS. In fact, I am a little surprised that your employers did not approach you after you finished the degree to discuss your future in the library. This could be a sign that you have a losing battle on your hands.

Unfortunately, there is only so much you can do. Some employers, as much as they would like to, cannot create new positions. It is possible that they only have budgeting for a certain number of positions. This is the case in the small academic/special library that I work in. So it may be unfeasible to think (or hope) that they will be able to create one for you, even if they want to; you may have to wait until one opens up. But, like you said yourself, don’t wait forever. If your employer does not give you what you want, start searching for a professional position elsewhere.

With your current boss leaving, this is definitely the time to make things happen. You do not want to be weighed down with more responsibility and more work with the same pay and same non- professional role. This is a crucial time – you have ambition, aptitude, and, most likely, student loans, and you are anxious to begin your professional career. Start looking elsewhere! You have an MLS and you have years of great experience; you should be working as a professional librarian. Don’t stay too long in a non-professional position if you can find a professional position elsewhere. This may reflect poorly on your resume.

Remember, even though you may not want to leave, there is always the possibility of coming back once that professional position opens up. Many new librarians move away to obtain that first position, and, after a few years, move back “home.”

As for looking into how to write a performance plan or how to begin documenting your professional activities, you may want to check out what other institutions are doing (or requiring their librarians to do) and see what guidelines and competencies exist to assist you in your career planning.

Several university libraries have information on the web about librarian performance reviews. The University of Michigan Library Human Resources Department provides a description of their performance review process for librarians and also defines and provides good examples of goals.

The Special Libraries Association (SLA) has developed Competencies for Special Librarians of the 21st Century (revised in 2003).

TA: I couldn’t agree with Susanne more. First, and foremost, engage your supervisor and keep her involved in every step of this process. If your library is anything like the “typical” library, it’s all about the hierarchy. It sounds like she is already supportive of your efforts and this will lend a great deal of credibility to your negotiations. Her support and knowledge of the organization will be a real asset when you are working your way up.

Secondly, as Susanne points out, now is exactly the right time to start your job search. You have recently finished your degree and have some valuable experience; start looking for professional positions inside and outside of your current organization. You may find your dream job – just not where you expected. The word that you are “looking” may get around your workplace. If they are unable to put you into a professional position, you can at the very least argue for a temporary increase in salary while you assume additional responsibilities during your supervisor’s leave of absence. Your employer will likely want to keep you instead of having a vacancy on top of the extended leave of absence. Also, consider the experience you will gain assuming the additional duties. You will come out a year later more valuable to the organization (helped see them through a tough year), and more marketable to others (new responsibilities, new skills…).

Unfortunately, your argument of “they should just create a position for me” isn’t one that is likely to work. Libraries are generally limited by external agencies (universities, governments, businesses, etc.) and the structures and restrictions imposed by these parent institutions. Creating any position, much less a new position for a current employee, is difficult. It is my opinion that doing anything in an organization should be for the benefit of the entire organization, not just one person. Having said that, however, I don’t believe you should just surrender to the status quo. Keep working hard and proving yourself to the organization. Continue to look for professional positions inside and outside of your current organization. And, most importantly, continue to look for opportunities to build on your strengths and experience. Ask for special projects. Take on new responsibilities. In the end, you’ll be marketable to someone, even if it isn’t your current employer.

In addition to checking a specific institution’s home page for vacancy announcements and monitoring professional e-mail lists, I would recommend the following web sites when looking for professional employment:

Association of Research Libraries Career Resources

Chronicle of Higher Education

Lisjobs.com & Library Job Postings on the Internet

Society of American Archivists Online Employment Bulletin

Special Libraries Association Career Services

Q: I am about to finish my library degree in the United States and want to know if I can use my degree in Canada, and how do I find jobs there?

Q: I am about to finish my library degree in the United States and want to know if I can use my degree in Canada, and how do I find jobs there?

by Susanne Markgren ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

SM: I have met several Canadian librarians working here in the States, but I haven’t heard much about U.S. librarians working in Canada. If you have ever perused Canadian job ads for librarian positions, you have probably seen the message, “Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.” Even though this sentence sounds discouraging, don’t let it stop you from sending in your resume. Here’s why:

An MLS degree or its equivalent from an accredited U.S. school is recognized in Canada (and vice versa). Library schools in Canada and the United States are accredited by the same organization – ALA’s Office for Accreditation & Committee on Accreditation.

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) makes it easier for librarians in the U.S. to cross the border to work. Librarians who are U.S. citizens can qualify for a work permit under Chapter 16 of the NAFTA regulations. The NAFTA applies to four specific categories of businesspersons: business visitors, professionals, intra-company transferees, and traders and investors. Librarians are included in the list of professionals.

All businesspersons covered by the NAFTA are exempt from the need to obtain approval from Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC). This means that Canadian employers do not need to have a job offer approved by HRDC to employ a U.S. librarian. For more information, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has a helpful site.

U.S. librarians with a job offer from a Canadian employer are classified as NAFTA Professionals, and may apply for an employment authorization at a Port of Entry, at a visa office abroad (in the U.S.), or from within Canada if the applicant is already in Canada as a visitor. The duration of NAFTA Professional status is for an initial period of one year and an unlimited number of one-year extensions may be subsequently obtained. Canadavisa.com offers more information on employment authorization for non-Canadians.

Although NAFTA makes the process of getting into Canada easier, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be easy to procure a job. It really depends on where you would like to go and how much competition there is in that particular city and/or province. There are fewer library schools in Canada than in the United States, and also fewer jobs. But, if you are serious and you are qualified, you should by all means apply for positions in Canada. Just make sure the employer knows about the NAFTA Professional status.

Currently, the job market for librarians in Canada is fair, and the unemployment rate is below average. The HRDC hosts a Job Futures site that provides information and statistics on different careers in Canada.

The following library job sites either list Canadian job openings or link to sites with job postings:

Canadian Library Association Classifieds

LIBJOBS – mailing list and web archive, international in scope

Library Job Postings on the Internet

Lisjobs.com

TA: As a brief follow-up to the excellent ideas from Susanne, I would add a note about the importance of networking and staying involved professionally. In many ways, my response to this question will mirror many of the suggestions from the answer to the above question. Beyond the basics of wanting to work abroad (learning the language, researching labor laws and the work visa issues, etc.), the key to successfully entering any job market (here or abroad) is who you know. Make professional contacts through professional organizations (ALA, CLA, etc.). Check out web sites, monitor e-mail lists, and attend annual conferences. Contact professionals currently working abroad, or folks who have worked abroad in the recent past, and schedule an informational interview. You can speak to individuals who have successfully worked abroad and ask them how they got started. You can also speak with other librarians currently working in the area to which you may be considering relocating. In addition to gathering information about the area, information interviews will also widen your network of professional contacts.

Below are a few links to online resources that I hope you will find helpful in your research:

ALA International Relations Committee (IRC)

ALA International Relations Office

ALA International Relations Office list of International Associations, Organizations and Conferences

ALA International Relations Round Table (IRRT)

International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)

Q: How do I stay active in librarianship while not working in the field? How do I get back into working in a library? And how do I upgrade my skills for the current job market?

Q: How do I stay active in librarianship while not working in the field? How do I get back into working in a library? And how do I upgrade my skills for the current job market?

by Susanne Markgren ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Q: I’m currently working in another profession, but would like to get back into librarianship. How do I stay active in librarianship while not working in the field? How do I get back into working in a library? And how do I upgrade my skills for the current job market?

TA: Perhaps the single most important thing is to STAY ACTIVE. Join professional associations, become active in your local library, and network, network, network. Tell everyone you know that you want to get back into (or break into) the library field. A friend of a friend of a friend may know of just the right position.

By joining a professional association, and attending their events, you will be able to make professional contacts and keep your skills up to date. You will also be taking a proactive approach by staying active in the field, even while not working in a library. Look into ALA, MLA, PLA, SLA, or any of the state-level professional associations that closely match your professional interests. Additionally, professional associations often offer career assistance, such as on-site placement centers at annual conferences and resume reviewing services. Take advantage of the workshops or online classes offered by these organizations. They are a good way to keep your skills current, and also to meet new people and expand your network of professional contacts.

Secondly, get involved in your local library. Join the Friends of the Library, volunteer for activities, and attend open library events in your region. This goes back to the first point, networking.

Third, consistently review professional journals, publications and web sites. Watch for announcements of new positions and look for transferable skills – supervisory experience gained in another organization would directly translate to supervisory responsibilities in a library position. The same would be true about experience managing a budget or overseeing a project or program. Examine your experience and determine how it would match the needs of the position (and be sure to explain the parallels in your cover letter). You may also want to consider an informational interview with a professional in your area of interest. An informational interview is simply that – an interview to gain information about a profession or a new area. You should make an appointment (don’t just “drop in”), and stay for only 15-20 minutes (unless invited to stay longer). Ask about the field, the person’s area of expertise and how they got where they are today.

Staying active in a profession in which you are not currently working is a lot of work, and requires a great deal of dedication. But in the end, if it scores you the job of your dreams, it’s all worth it.

SM: Tiffany’s ideas are excellent. It is extremely important to network and to get hands-on experience. To supplement, I would say – get online! This is an exciting time to be entering the library profession. With so many online resources (e.g., web sites, articles, job boards, and e-mail lists) freely available, keeping up with the profession and updating your skills are not as difficult as you may think.

Join library-related e-mail discussion lists. Do some lurking and find out what topics, resources, and ideas librarians are currently discussing. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and voice your opinions. These discussion lists exist to support our profession and its members. They are also a great way to find out about new jobs and new opportunities to stay active in the profession. I would recommend NEWLIB-L, which is geared for new librarians, those who are considering becoming librarians and others in the field who are interested in imparting wisdom and advice to the aforementioned groups. LIBJOBS would also be helpful, not just for finding out what jobs are available, but also for looking at job descriptions, requirements, and salaries to get an idea of what is out there and what is expected of librarians in different positions, in different institutions and in different states or countries. There are plenty of other librarian discussion lists that you may want to consider joining, depending on what aspect and/or subject area of librarianship you are interested in. You can search for more lists on the Library-Oriented Lists & Electronic Serials site.

Another option for updating or refreshing your skills is to take classes, either online or in-person. Associations, universities and colleges, and private companies alike are now offering a variety of classes and distance learning opportunities geared for librarians and library students. The Special Libraries Association (SLA) offers a Virtual Seminar Series, and the Simmons College GSLIS holds online workshops as part of their Continuing Education series. Taking a class or two will not only update your skills, but also give a boost to your resume and show a future employer that you are serious about keeping current in the profession.

In addition, look at the Advice section of Lisjobs.com for some helpful articles and information on getting started in librarianship. Check out the LIScareer.com site, and the new book, Jump Start Your Career in Library and Information Science by Priscilla K. Shontz. Good luck!

Q: Do you know of any library-related jobs that can be done online?

Q: Do you know of any library-related jobs that can be done online?

by Susanne Markgren ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Q: I graduated from library school not too long ago, but it’s been hard for me to find a job in the immediate area because of family obligations. Do you know of any library-related jobs that can be done online? Since I got my MLS from a distance ed program, I think I’d have a lot to offer employers looking for librarians to do online reference or research, if only I knew where I could find them. Thanks.

– Virtual Job Seeker

RSG: Your question at its heart boils down, not to whether there are library-related jobs that can be done online (of course there are!), but how to find and apply for such positions – which is somewhat trickier. There is unfortunately no central source that lists all virtual positions. Occasional postings, however, can be found on general library job sites such as Lisjobs.com and libraryjobpostings.org. These have included virtual reference positions with companies like LSSI and partially at-home indexing opportunities with organizations like the National Library of Medicine. You can also bookmark HR sites at some of the individual organizations that tend to offer virtual jobs and check them weekly for new offerings.

Although this will be less help in your immediate situation, realize that librarians also often have more success negotiating part-time telecommuting work with an existing employer who is already familiar with their work ethic and abilities. In my last full-time position, for example, I began working one day a week from home doing collection development and web design, and have continued to work from home on a part-time basis since starting a family in fall 2002 – the precedent had already been set. So readers thinking of having children, or who are simply looking to get some work done without office-related disruptions, might want to discuss the option with their current employers.

SLJ: Because there is no one source that lists virtual positions, employers who hire contract librarians to do online projects frequently turn to recruiters. There are a number of recruiters in the library field, and most have web sites. See this list of agencies that place librarians with employers on a temporary or permanent basis. Investigate the web sites of these agencies, and speak to their representatives, to get a feel for how frequently they receive job ads for online positions. The type of work can vary, and the employers doing the hiring may or may not be libraries. Examples of employers and typical jobs available may include: publishers looking for freelance indexers or copy editors; firms that outsource cataloging work for other libraries; and database vendors looking for abstractors. Be aware that indexing jobs may require additional training; you can learn more about the indexing field at the American Society of Indexers site.

Also, if you enjoy online research so much that you would like to make it your permanent career, you may want to investigate becoming an entrepreneurial librarian, running your own research business from home. The Suite 101 site on The Entrepreneurial Librarian has a number of good suggestions. In addition, a great book to get you started is Mary Ellen Bates’ Building and Running a Successful Research Business: A Guide for the Independent Information Professional. The book will give you an overview of what is involved in starting your own business, and will recommend useful resources for you to consult. For example, a good organization to join is the Association of Independent Information Professionals (AIIP). AIIP has a number of useful resources on their web site, and they also offer an annual conference where you can meet others already involved in the field or interested in pursuing such work. [Ed.: see also Barbara Fritchman Thompson’s article later in this issue.]

RSG: Sarah’s suggestions on starting your own research business are very helpful. You might also want to consider exploring related work-at-home fields, such as freelance writing (which involves both research and synthesis!). A useful site for any freelance writer is Writer’s Weekly, and you can also explore contributing to some of the library-related publications that pay honoraria. While writing for trade publications probably will not entirely replace a career, this can be a helpful supplement for stay-at-home librarian parents, part-time library workers, and anyone else interested in contributing to the profession this way. (For much more on writing for the profession, check out my forthcoming Librarian’s Guide to Writing for Publication, available from Scarecrow Press. Online orders at the Scarecrow site receive a 15% discount.

If your family obligations include stay-at-home parenting, you might also want to join the Librarian Stay At Home Mom e-mail list. Home- based work is a topic that often comes up for discussion there, and list members can have additional ideas and leads.