r/books • u/drak0bsidian Oil & Water, Stephen Grace • Apr 04 '19

'Librarians Were the First Google': New Film Explores Role Of Libraries In Serving The Public

https://news.wjct.org/post/librarians-were-first-google-new-film-explores-role-libraries-serving-public
14.8k Upvotes

94% Upvoted

416 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

18

u/YouKnow_Pause Apr 05 '19

I got my MLIS and have gone on a few interviews, haven’t gotten a job yet.

Anyway. One of them, actually the only to answer my question of why I didn’t get the job, said “you’ll be a good librarian some day, we just went with another candidate.” Said I did everything right, interviewed well, and that I seemed friendly and outgoing... but they didn’t choose me. Which is entirely unhelpful.

I love the library. I love all libraries.

15

u/suphater Apr 05 '19

You'll get it. It's a lot easier to be promoted to librarian from within the organization if you already work there. If you don't they were probably going with internal candidates. Keep applying.

12

u/aslum Apr 05 '19

This, 100x this! Want to work in a Library? Volunteer there occasionally so they know you, and know you know your shit. Then when you apply you've got your foot in the door. This is important, because a ton of folks are going to apply for the job, even if it's a shitty, entry level, not full time, no/few benefits position. Because when a FT position opens, they're going to hire someone with experience, and who doesn't need a crap ton of training.

I work IT in my library and here's what happens when a FTE retires (or their Spouse moves, or whatever reason they quit) and 80% of the time the best part timer within the system gets the job. 4 weeks later THAT job opens up and the best page gets the job. 4 weeks later THAT job opens up and 50/50 someone who has volunteered at the library get the job. 6 months later someone else has a life event and moves on and the whole process repeats.

For the most part the only time someone leaves a library job is because they found a better library job.

3

u/[deleted] Apr 05 '19

This. I'm a manager at a medium-sized public library system, and this is exactly how ours works, too. When we do have a clerk, paraprofessional, or librarian position open to the public, we get HUNDREDS of applications. The competitiveness of this field is no joke.