Author: Susanne Markgren

Assistant Director of the Library for Technical Services
Q: I am interested in teaching in an online LIS program. How do I find adjunct positions?

Q: I am interested in teaching in an online LIS program. How do I find adjunct positions?

by Susanne Markgren ♥ 1 Comment

Q: I have many years of library experience (primarily in public and school libraries), an MLS from Syracuse University, and a decently long list of publications, committee work (national, regional, and state), and consulting experiences. I’m interested in trying my hand at teaching, both because I’ve never done it before and because I’m contemplating a doctorate and wonder how I would do as an instructor. I’ve taught numerous workshops and classes, but not in a university setting, which I expect will be quite different.

I am actively watching many job boards, but my sense is that direct contact with someone in the program would be a more effective strategy, especially since I’m not really looking for a permanent position. A few brief conversations with current professors have left me with the feeling that sometimes courses are designed around a knowledgeable instructor, rather than the other way around, but I’m having a tough time figuring out who to approach at various programs to inquire about becoming an adjunct or professor of practice. (I should also mention that I would be most interested in online instruction since there are no LIS programs in my state.)

So my questions, as someone not familiar with the intricacies and norms of the academic world, are first: am I correct in assuming that contacting a program to express interest in teaching is appropriate, and second, if it is appropriate, who would I contact and what initial information would be most helpful to them (a full CV? a shorter resume? or something less formal?) Thank you so much for any insight you might have for me!

SM: It is appropriate to contact (someone in) a program to express your interest in teaching. Check the web sites of online-only programs to see if they are hiring, to find out what areas of librarianship they specialize in and what types of classes they offer, and to find a contact person (dean of the school or coordinator of the program). Before you send your full CV, have your initial contact be a query email in which you state your interest in online teaching (in that particular program), and ask him/her if they are looking for adjuncts. In that initial email: offer to send your CV and other materials, briefly state your experience and your specific teaching interests, and let him/her know what classes you would be interested in teaching (or developing). If you have an online portfolio or CV, link to that in your email. You could also contact an adjunct instructor in that program to ask for advice on how to get started teaching an online class.

According to ALA, the following 20 library schools offer 100% online programs:

  1. Clarion University of Pennsylvania
  2. Drexel University
  3. Florida State University
  4. Louisiana State University
  5. North Carolina Central University  
  6. Rutgers, State University of New Jersey
  7. San Jose State University
  8. Southern Connecticut State University
  9. Texas Woman’s University
  10. University at Buffalo, State University of New York
  11. University of Alabama
  12. University of Kentucky
  13. University of Maryland
  14. University of Puerto Rico
  15. University of South Carolina
  16. University of Southern Mississippi
  17. University of Tennessee
  18. University of Washington
  19. University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
  20. Wayne State University  

 

Other places to look for academic teaching positions:

You can also look for adjunct teaching positions at local academic institutions that would allow you to gain experience by teaching a semester long class (either online, in person or hybrid). This can be an excellent way to develop a syllabus and assignments, and learn a course management system (e.g., Blackboard, Angel, Moodle, etc.). Some undergraduate institutions require their students to take research classes and these are often taught by librarians.

Q: I want to be an art librarian but I don’t have a degree in art. How do I address this when applying for jobs?

Q: I want to be an art librarian but I don’t have a degree in art. How do I address this when applying for jobs?

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Q: I am currently getting my LIS masters degree. I want to pursue a career in art librarianship and I am attempting to tailor my courses to this even though my school does not offer an art specialization. While I have an undergraduate minor in art history, I do not have a major in it but I am fairly proficient in the subject. The majority of my library work has been in an art library. I plan on getting an art history masters in the near future (~5 years?) but want to work in an institution before this. How should I go about addressing these facts when I am applying for jobs? Thanks in advance.

SM: Your experience working in an art library will help with your job search, but without a degree in art, you might have a hard time finding a position as an art librarian. Here are some suggestions that might help you in your job search:

  • see if you can do an art-related research project (e.g., thesis), independent study, or practicum, as part of your school work
  • be mobile, widen your search, if at all possible, to include all art-related librarian positions in any part of the country
  • if you are currently working in an art library, see if you can create research guides/sites/tools (you can then showcase these in your portolio/resume)
  • highlight your experience working in art libraries (provide examples of work that you did)
  • highlight your minor in art
  • mention, or list on your resume, any art-related classes or research
  • mention your plan to obtain a second masters in art history
  • apply for general positions (not necessarily art-related) at institutions that have art programs

In the mean time, look into possibly taking an online art librarianship course at another institution. Research art history programs, so you have an idea of where you might want to go and what you might want to focus on for your art history degree. Maintain your vision for your dream job and create goals for yourself. This will also help you when you get to the interview stage, as many academic positions require a second masters. They want to know that if you are hired, you already have a plan to complete your advanced subject degree. Caveat: if you do apply for more generalized positions that do not require any subject expertise, you may want to tone down the art librarianship speak. A search committee might get the impression (rightly so) that you will leave after a few years, to move into your dream ‘art librarian’ job. Which is completely OK… but they don’t have to know that.

Q: I’m an architectural resource librarian. How do I find jobs, and how can I find an organization with which to affiliate?

Q: I’m an architectural resource librarian. How do I find jobs, and how can I find an organization with which to affiliate?

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Q: I have a graduate degree in interior design and elected to professionally pursue the less conventional avenue of an architectural resource librarian. I would like to acquire a similar position in a new location (firm and state), but I have yet to find an organization with which to affiliate, so finding job postings is a challenge. Can you help in my search?

SM: The best places to look for librarian job postings in architecture firms, or interior design firms, are with the following:

Related associations, such as:

And, the large job banks such as:

As for joining associations, I would recommend that you do so (check out the ones listed above). Within SLA, there is a Caucus for architecture, building engineering, construction, and design (the ABCD Caucus). Not only does it add to your resume, membership in a professional organization can provide you with a network of individuals, and resources, to assist you in your job search, and provide valuable professional development opportunities.  Best of luck!

Q: I’m just starting my professional job search. How do I market my interest in different areas?

Q: I’m just starting my professional job search. How do I market my interest in different areas?

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Q: I’m just starting my professional job search, and I was wondering how to market my interest in different areas. I’m equally interested in both academic librarianship and young adult librarianship, with experience and classes in both. I plan to apply for both types of jobs. How should I talk about my interests and career goals in an interview? I feel like I should tailor my goals to the specific position, but I don’t want to lie about my interest in other types of libraries and I don’t want to be thought of as desperate for any position. Plus, I really don’t know what to say if I’m applying for a job in a third area. Help!

SM: Simple answer: Only apply for jobs that interest you, and market your skills, experience, and interest to the job at hand. You should definitely, absolutely, tailor your materials (resume, cover letters, etc.) to each position.

Any library experience you have, at this point, will help you get a job. Include all of your library experience on your resume, but highlight your public library experience when applying for public library positions and academic library experience when applying for academic positions. During an interview, you wouldn’t talk about your interest in other types of libraries; you would talk about how your experience, and the skills you learned, working in other types of libraries will help you in this particular job. Keep in mind that many of the skills you have are transferable like customer service, marketing and expertise using various technologies. You won’t be thought of as desperate, or lying, if you are genuinely interested in the position. And, search committees (that I’ve been involved in, anyway) like job applicants who are versatile and have experience in diverse roles and different types of libraries. You can play up your versatility to an extent; just make sure to always place emphasis on the required and preferred qualifications of the job at hand.

If you haven’t yet, you should start thinking about your long-term career goals. I know it can be tricky to do this when you are just starting out and you don’t quite know where you are headed… but try to imagine your future in libraries. Where do you see yourself in five or ten years (which is a question you might get asked in an interview)? If you see yourself as an academic librarian working with college students, then maybe you want to limit your applications to academic positions, or if you ultimately see yourself as a public librarian working with young adults, then maybe you want to limit your applications to public library positions. It can be difficult, but not impossible, to switch from one area of librarianship to another, later on. To conclude, you will get a good taste of what each job will be like as you interview, and you might be perfectly happy in either type of library (or a different one altogether). Just be sure that you choose a setting and position that makes you feel comfortable, supported and engaged. Your first professional position will help to direct the rest of your library career.

Q: Would I still be able to get a library job after my PhD? Or will this just inhibit me?

Q: Would I still be able to get a library job after my PhD? Or will this just inhibit me?

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Q: I have two master’s degrees already, and am pursuing an MLS. I was thinking maybe I should get my PhD in Library Science instead. Would I still be able to get a library job after my PhD? Or will this just inhibit me?

SM: It depends on what you want to do with your career. If you want to work as a librarian, I would suggest holding off on pursuing the PhD until after you’ve worked in libraries for a while. Library (or information) science programs are quite different than other graduate programs. They are more like professional programs and the degree (MLS) is a prerequisite for a job. If you do not have an ambition to teach library science, but you still want to pursue a terminal degree, a PhD in a different field might be more beneficial to you as a librarian.

Will a PhD inhibit your job search? Perhaps. You will certainly be overqualified for most librarian positions. However, a lack of experience will inhibit you more. There are some librarian positions, and some institutions, that require or prefer PhDs, but typically these would be PhDs in a subject area, not in library science. On the other hand, there are many more library jobs that require just a second master’s degree. Until you acquire library experience, your master’s degrees will serve you better than a PhD when it comes to finding a job as a librarian.

Q: How can a Canadian attain a visa to work in the United States? And how likely, or unlikely, is it that someone in my position can get a job?

Q: How can a Canadian attain a visa to work in the United States? And how likely, or unlikely, is it that someone in my position can get a job?

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Q: I am a Canadian with an MLIS degree.  I don’t have any professional experience working in a library although I have some volunteer experience.  I would like to re-locate to the United States to work in a library.  What is the process by which I could attain a job and the necessary work visa/permit/documentation etc.?  How likely or unlikely is it that someone in my position could attain a job in the US (an accredited librarian who is new to the field/little experience)?  I have heard of H1B visas, but it is my understanding that these cost the issuing employer a sizable fee ($1,500-$5,000).  If this is the case, I have a hard time seeing it happening.  Any advice surrounding these issues would be appreciated, thank you!

SM: Dear Canadian Librarian:

You will be happy to learn that you do not need an H1B visa, and an employer does not need to pay for your visa. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has created a TN nonimmigrant classification that allows qualified Canadian and Mexican citizens to seek temporary entry in the United States as professional workers. As a Canadian (with a job offer in hand), you can apply for a TN visa at a port of entry (border crossing). Librarianship is one of the professions covered under this type of visa that will allow you to live and work in the U.S. for up to three years, at which point you would need to renew your visa.

Employers should know about the TN nonimmigrant status and it should not hinder your job search or the application/interview process. If someone, or an application form, asks you if you are qualified to work in the United States, you can answer “yes.” All you need to get the visa is a letter of employment. Read up on it so if a potential employer asks you about it, you will know the requirements. Once you have the job offer, a letter of employment and your visa, you will need to get an SSN (social security number — different from a social insurance number), in order to get paid.

So, to answer your question, it IS likely that you can get a job in the United States. Your lack of experience may make you less desirable than other candidates, but if you are willing to move anywhere in the U.S., and you are open to many different types of positions, you will have an advantage over others who are less mobile or flexible. Best of luck!

Q: Can you help me find a mentor and someone to review my resume?

Q: Can you help me find a mentor and someone to review my resume?

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Q: Hello, I am a fairly new librarian with some professional experience, but not much. I got a job quickly out of school, but I was laid off and I am now starting a serious full time job hunt. I am looking for a mentor, someone to help me in my search and guide me to where I need to be to get a job. I also would like someone in the field to give me a critique of my cover letter and resume. Can I send you my cover letter and resume to you for review?  Thanks for your time.

SM: Finding a mentor is a great idea for any new librarian (whether you have a job or not), and for those who are looking to switch career paths or move into different roles. Mentors can provide invaluable advice and much needed encouragement, and they can help to mold your career. We wrote a post about mentoring a few years ago that talks about the benefits of the mentor/mentee relationship and offers links to additional resources.

To find a mentor, you should look in your area for local library organizations that you can join. Some of these might have formal mentoring programs, and some might have members that are interested in taking on the role of mentor. Look for a local SLA, PLA, or ACRL group, or your state library association, and find out what programs and services they have for new librarians. You can also look at national organizations, such as ALA, that sponsor mentoring programs like the New Member’s Round Table Mentoring Program (some state library associations have these as well).

As for reviewing cover letters and resumes, unfortunately we cannot offer that service in the context of this site. However, in your search for mentoring programs, you will most likely find that many of them offer resume and cover letter reviewing services to their members. And, a mentor will be able to review your cover letter and resume. As good practice, we recommend that you always have someone review your cover letter and resume before you send them out. Another option is to find a librarian that you know and respect, ideally someone who is in a role you desire, and ask that person to be your mentor. Before you approach him/her, write down your expectations for the mentor/mentee relationship (e.g., how long should the “relationship” last? what parts of her job do you want her to show you? how do you expect her to help you in your job search? etc.) and your career goals, so you can share them with your mentor.

Also, look into your library school’s Career Services Office. Their services are typically designed for current students, but as an alumnus you might be able to take advantage of their services (which may include resume and cover letter reviewing, mentoring programs, and job search and job transitioning assistance). In addition, we can recommend the following:

ALA’s New Member’s Round Table Resume Review Service (for NMRT members)

LIScareer.com’s Consulting Services (fee service)

Music Library Association’s Resume Review Service (for MLA members)

North Carolina Library Association’s Resume and Cover Letter Review Service and Mentoring Program (for NC NMRT librarians)

Texas Library Association NRMT Mentor Program (for TLA NMRT members)

University of Texas School of Information’s Career Services Office (for students and alumni)