Tag: public libraries

Q: Would it be unethical if I did not disclose future travel plans during an interview?

Q: Would it be unethical if I did not disclose future travel plans during an interview?

by Susanne Markgren ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Q: I am interviewing for several public library positions, including one which will mean a 2,000-mile move if I get the job. Once I receive a job offer, I’ll be available to start almost immediately. However, I do have non-negotiable travel plans in three months. I am attending a wedding in Africa, and I will be there for seventeen days.  At what point should I disclose those plans? I want to be upfront about it, and discuss it when asked about my available start date, but a number of people have advised me to wait until I have a firm job offer. Is that unethical, and would it cause resentment to spring it on them like that, or am I jeopardizing my potential as a candidate by announcing it during the interview?

SM: Good question, and a bit of a catch-22. You are certainly not the first person, or the last, to have this dilemma. First off, that’s great that you are getting interviews and you sound so positive about your future career in public libraries! Second, I wouldn’t worry about your start date or the potential for your trip to jeopardize anything at this point. You haven’t yet received an offer, so in reality, there’s nothing to worry about. Lastly, if and when you do get that job offer, be honest and up front about your availability, your preferred start date, and your upcoming trip.

Notice, I say, “when” you get the job offer. During the interview process, there is no need to bring up your upcoming international trip or anything that may potentially cause a hiring committee to question your commitment to the job before you even get the job. Your personal life is personal. However, if they do ask you during the interview if you can start right away, then you have to be honest with them and say “yes, but…” and then also say that your travel plans are set in stone and if it is better for them, you could start upon your return. Also, there is usually some time (weeks or months) between getting the job offer and starting the job. Employers know that it may take time to move (especially long distance) or leave another job. Rarely are people available to start immediately, and rarely do employers expect this.

I would also say that if the job description has a firm start date on it, then it is probably going to be something they bring up during the interview, so you should be prepared to answer honestly, if asked. If they don’t ask you about start dates during the interview, I wouldn’t bring it up until you get the job offer. If they want to hire you, they will understand (everyone has family obligations, after all) and make it work. And honestly, if they hold this against you, would you really want to work there anyway? Good luck!

Q: I have been a school librarian for over 15 years. I would love to work in the public sector and do have 10 years PT experience in a public library. How do I craft my resume to: (1) Show that the only difference between school and public libraries are the clientele? (2) Show that what I have done running school libraries are the same skills required for being a reference librarian? And (3) explain why I would accept such a pay cut? Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Q: I have been a school librarian for over 15 years. I would love to work in the public sector and do have 10 years PT experience in a public library. How do I craft my resume to: (1) Show that the only difference between school and public libraries are the clientele? (2) Show that what I have done running school libraries are the same skills required for being a reference librarian? And (3) explain why I would accept such a pay cut? Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

by Tiffany ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Q: I have been a school librarian for over 15 years. I would love to work in the public sector and do have 10 years PT experience in a public library.  How do I craft my resume to: (1) Show that the only difference between school and public libraries are the clientele? (2) Show that what I have done running school libraries are the same skills required for being a reference librarian? And (3) explain why I would accept such a pay cut?  Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

TA:  Your full-time experience in a school library, as well as your part-time experience in a public library should position you well for making a transition.  As we’ve discussed in previous articles, you’ll want to use your application materials (cover letter, resume and references) to address transferable skills (skills that you’ve learned in one context that will serve you well in another).  Be sure your cover letter expresses a deep interest in and enthusiasm for the public library position and draws parallels between your experience and the needs of the position.  Your resume should also do the same by highlighting experience and accomplishments that relate to your current and previous positions, as well as the position you are applying for.  And finally, use your references wisely.  Be sure to prepare them in advance for the fact that you are applying outside of school libraries and ask them if there’s anything you can provide that will prepare them to speak about your ability to work in all kinds of contexts. 

Also in your application materials, you will want to talk about the core values and responsibilities of libraries (collection building, access, facilities, technology, instruction and research assistance, and connecting with a constituency)—all of these will be relevant regardless of setting (i.e. school versus public).  Be careful to avoid basing your comments on assumptions; be sure to base your comments on data gathered via experience in both public and school libraries.  For example, it’s really not well received when someone external to the operation makes a “Sure, I could do that” statement without any experience to back it up.  So tread carefully with things like “the only difference between school and public libraries are the clientele.”  I would bet there are many other differences (maybe funding, collections, access, and responsibilities) so go in with confidence in your experience, but also with an intellectual curiosity to explore those differences. 

And about the salary issue, this seems like something you could address (lightly) in the cover letter.  I wouldn’t advise making any firm statements about salary requirements in the cover letter, but in this case, since you have a concern about making it past the initial review due to the salary differences, you could use the closing paragraph of your cover letter to touch, reassuringly, on the subject.  In the closing paragraph, reiterate your interest in and enthusiasm for the position, and acknowledge the obvious with something like “I’m also aware of the considerable differences in salary for public librarians as compared to school librarians, and remain interested in switching fields, particularly because this position, and the missions of public libraries, are so appealing to me.”

Q: Do you have any advice on moving from a position in a public school system to a children’s librarian position in a public library?

Q: Do you have any advice on moving from a position in a public school system to a children’s librarian position in a public library?

by Susanne Markgren ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Q: I am just approaching my 28th year in public school library services. I’d really like to try something different and am considering applying for a public children’s library position. Any thoughts or tips on making such a change?

We get this type of question about moving from one area of librarianship to another quite often. The desire to move (or change roles) leads us to believe that librarians crave variety; that they are able to do so leads us to believe that librarians possess skills that transfer well between different roles, libraries and institutions.

For many of us, one of the major draws of a career in librarianship is the immense variety of roles/libraries/institutions/clientele to choose from. It is certainly a diverse and exciting profession, and you are not alone in your quest to find a new position in a different type of library.

To make sure that this is truly the direction you want to go in, you might want to start by volunteering in your community library or taking a part time position, if possible, which is something that you might have in mind already.

Moving from a public school system to a public library system should be a fairly easy move, and your extensive experience working with children in a school library will carry across wonderfully to a public library setting. You will probably find that the roles in these two types of libraries can be quite similar as they often rely on each other, especially when it comes to educating our children.

If you haven’t yet, start looking at job ads for children’s librarians in public libraries and see what skills are required and preferred. Then spend a good deal of time tailoring your resume and your cover letters to address those needs. When you’re reviewing the job ads, pay close attention to qualifications that relate to technology and make a special effort to stay current with the trends. This might mean taking a few continuing education courses to update your skills (a lot are online now!) or familiarizing yourself with the latest tools by trying a few of them out in your personal time (e.g., blogs, wikis, social bookmarking, RSS, etc.). If you have experience using some of the tools and new technology, you will be able to talk about and demonstrate a certain level of knowledge that will be required in the job. A lifelong learner and someone who demonstrates flexibility, adaptability, and a willingness to continue growing is welcome in any kind of organization.

Finally, we will point you to an article that we wrote a few years back (but still relevant today) on moving from one area of librarianship to another, that provides some helpful information and links to useful resources:

How do I get there from here? Changing jobs, changing roles, changing institutions
by Susanne Markgren and Tiffany Allen
C&RL News, December 2004, Vol. 65, No. 11

Good luck!

Q: How do I prepare for a 2nd round interview?

Q: How do I prepare for a 2nd round interview?

by Tiffany ♥ 1 Comment

Question:

“I am preparing for a 2nd round interview with my Board of Trustees for the director’s position. I have spent most of my time in middle management and need to impress the Board that my ‘on the floor’ rapport with staff and patrons can translate into being a great director. What should I focus on for my next interview?”

Answer:

Play to your strengths. Be sure to think and talk big picture (because that’s what they’re going to be worried about—Is she a “good librarian” or can she make the leap to “leader/manager/director”) but also stay grounded and provide real world, “on the floor” examples. For example, when you talk about setting policy, outreach, budgets, etc., put a face to those concepts—talk about your experience with patrons, boards, citizens of the community, and how those experiences and interactions will better inform your decisions as a director.

What you have over other candidates is current/real-life/library/in-the-trenches experience, and you need to make that an asset. But be sure to also impress them with your ability to raise the level of knowledge to the bigger picture and to prove that you’re able to make the big and important decisions. Can you do “the job” AND see the big picture? Can you serve the client, while also managing budgets, setting priorities and leading a staff? In short, think big picture, drawing on your experience locally to illustrate your ideas and outcomes. Best of luck with the interview!!!

Q: How do I find a public library job in Vermont?

Q: How do I find a public library job in Vermont?

by Susanne Markgren ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Q: Do you have advice for someone on how to get a professional public libraries job in a particular state, Vermont to be specific. I foresee having to go where the jobs are but I will pose the question anyway…

I have looked on the ALA Regional Employment site as well as looking on the Vermont Libraries page but it did not give clues as to how vacancies are posted or jobs are applied for or acquired.

Are unsolicited resumes welcome in the state?
Are vacancies filled from a civic pool of applicants?
Does one apply at a state or local level?
Do public library jobs have residency requirements?

Signed, Vermont Job Seeker

RSG: First, it’s great that you’re being realistic about possibly having to “go where the jobs are” – smaller states or those near a number of library schools often have fewer positions, and a glut of graduates applying for what does come available.

Since you’re specifically looking for public library jobs in Vermont, however, you’ll want to start by keeping an eye on web sites that provide local job listings. The Vermont Library Association sponsors a jobline, and you’ll also want to take a look at the Simmons GSLIS New England Jobline. Then, you will need to broaden your approach. Locate local public libraries through Libweb, visit their web sites, and look for position openings that may be posted on individual library pages but not in the more general databases.

SLN: Also, because many public library positions are advertised only locally, it’s worth checking the classified ad sections of newspapers. Many times, the online version will be more convenient than the print, because you can frequently search the classifieds by keyword. To locate them, try web sites such as Newspapers.com or Newspaperlinks.com.

In general, ads are posted whenever a job comes open, and they will mention a position title, brief description of the position, and application directions. In most cases, public library positions are filled at the local level, and librarians working for public libraries are usually considered employees of the city/town/ village/etc. where the library is located. If the library is an independent taxing district, you will be considered an employee of that institution, rather than the municipality. When you see the application directions on an ad, it should be clear who is doing the hiring – you’ll want to apply directly, following the directions in the ad.

RSG: As to your last couple of questions, residency requirements vary depending on the institution. Larger municipalities will be more likely to require residency. (Chicago Public Library, for example, requires Chicago residency, while Chicago suburbs generally do not require residency in the respective town.) Requirements should be specified in the ad or in the general HR instructions on the city or library’s web site. Some institutions/ municipalities will keep an applicant pool, some will not – again, this is often stated directly in the ad or on the web site. In general, you’ll have better luck responding directly to advertised positions than sending an unsolicited resume – but check individual institutions’ HR web sites, since some will include instructions for sending your resume to be included in the pool for the next set of openings.

SLN: John Hubbard at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has written a good overview on applying for a library job, which has links to other relevant resources. There are a number of other relevant sites and publications to check besides the ones we’ve listed above. For example, ALA’s own site updates its job listings daily, and many public libraries and library systems announce vacancies there. You’ll also want to stay in touch with your alma mater. Most library schools have placement services or bulletins, some of which are available only to alumni. When you first begin looking, you’ll want to cast your net as widely as possible so as not to miss out on any opportunities. This includes attending conferences when possible, especially ones specific to the state/region you’re most interested in, participating in electronic discussion lists, and talking to people in person. In other words, you never know where an opportunity will turn up. Good luck!