Q: I searched your site but didn’t find an answer already on this subject. If I’m wrong, could you point me in the right direction?  My question:  I recently graduated with my BS in History. I have four years’ experience working first as a library page, then as a collections processor in Archives, and now I’m working as a Digital Projects and Oral History assistant in the Digitization Department of Special Collections. My next step is to get my MLIS. However, I am unsure of what to specialize in. I have most of my experience with Digitization and Archives but think I would be happier in a different area. I’d like to work with people more and love the hustle and bustle of reference and circulation. However, I am also in love with children’s literature and would love an opportunity to work with kids, set up reading programs in the library, etc. I feel that I can be happy in many capacities in the library. So I guess my question is what specialization do you feel is the most marketable? With library jobs being competitive, I’d like to choose a specialization in library school that will be widely marketable when I begin looking for permanent positions, but that will also be something I will enjoy doing for the long haul.

TA: I totally understand your question about finding ways to be most marketable upon graduation, but you also want to find a specialization that works for you.  You can be marketable and terribly unhappy, and that’s not where you want to end up.  Employers look for experience and potential, and library school is a great time to explore different areas of specialization and to try things on to see if they fit.  From taking a variety of classes, to different internships and volunteer opportunities, you can spend some time exploring librarianship.  According to ALA, the amount of academic credit hours required for an ALA-accredited MLS can vary from 36 semester hours to 72 quarter hours—this is both a lot of time, and time that flies by too quickly.  You should talk with an academic advisor at the school to chart your course, including which classes to take, how and when to register for field experiences, and identifying volunteer or paid work experiences.  Above all else, leave library school with the degree AND work experience.

Now is also a great time to join a few professional discussions lists.  You see if the discussion topics strike an interest.  You can also monitor the vacancy announcements that come across the lists.  Even though you aren’t on the market right now, you can see what’s in demand in terms of types of jobs, regions of employment, and desired skills and experience.  This information will be really useful when you are in library school and are deciding which classes to take or how to gain certain experiences.

Also, remember the power of the informational interview.  Elisa Topper, in her October 2003 “Working Knowledge” column in American Libraries, talks about all the potential benefits of the informational interview.  Her list includes: building a network of contacts; gaining information about internships, practicum experiences and other positions in the “hidden job market”; exposure to terminology and issues relevant to a specific field; and a glimpse into different organizational cultures.  Informational interviews are a great way to explore different areas of librarianship through the real-life experience of someone who’s doing it.  Be sure to read the rest of the Topper article, and refer to our other columns on Informational Interviews to learn more about conducting these types of interviews.

Q: I am a recent MLIS grad looking for work.  Over the past 6 months an organization I would like to work for has advertised a handful of various positions, some of which I was qualified for and applied for.  I heard that they were undergoing a reorganization.  Now there is yet another open position that I’d like to apply for.  I am wondering if I should bother them, on one hand, because if they wanted to interview me for a position they have my resume on file.  On the other hand, maybe a variety of people are doing the hiring and don’t talk to each other or share information.  The submission email address for job applicants is a generic jobs@xxx listing so it’s hard to know who is reading these applications.  Should I go for it again or should I move on and assume I am not a good fit?

Thanks for any advice you can offer about multiple openings at one organization.  I have no experience with this type of dilemma!

SM: This type of thing happens quite often, actually. Reorganization is a common occurrence and can affect job openings, job listings, interviewing/hiring schedules, organizational structuring, etc. And it can affect (or play havoc with) your job applications. My advice is to go ahead and apply for the position, or positions, that you want. Since it is a different position (and one that came up after the reorganization and after the other position(s) were advertised), you will want to tailor your application materials specifically to it and its requirements. Unless the institution states that the applications go into a pool for several positions or they contact you and ask you if you want to be considered for a new position (some will do this!), assume that if you apply for one position, only those who hire for that position will see your materials (other than HR). And, assume that you will only be considered for the position(s) that you apply for. However, every place does things differently, so if you can find contact information for the human resources department of the institution, you could try to contact them and ask about the reorganization and how that will affect the job openings and your applications materials. And, finally, you probably shouldn’t apply for more than two positions at one institution within a short time period. Good luck!

Q: I have a professional dilemma, and I would be so grateful for any insight or encouragement you might be able to offer me.

In June 2011, I completed library school thinking that I wanted to be a public librarian. Actually, I was pretty certain of this, even though I had minimal experience working in public libraries. My background is actually in special (government/law and art) libraries.

Shortly after earning my degree, I was offered a part-time librarian substitute position at a local large urban public library system. I have worked as a public reference librarian for one year now, and I have decided that it’s not for me. In addition to this, I have applied for countless internal job postings within the public library organization and I’ve had no luck. I think someone is trying to tell me something that I’ve ignored for a long time.

I feel like a fool, and like I have to start over. However, I am eager to get my career back on the right path and continue to pursue something more personally fulfilling. For the last four years, I have been employed part-time at a government law library and I absolutely love it. Even though there may not be a full-time or professional position for me there, I want to continue to pursue a career in government librarianship, perhaps in a science or engineering library. Do you have any thoughts on how I might get started?

TA:  Dear “Professional Dilemma”:

Please know that you are not alone when it comes to reassessing a career path.  Some enter library school on one path, and exit on another.  Other times, it takes some experience in the profession to realize your true calling lies elsewhere.  But don’t worry, or criticize yourself.  Just prepare yourself and take the necessary steps to get where you want to go.

First, you’re not starting over.  You might be taking a step back, but you’re not at the very beginning.  Over the course of the last several years, you’ve gained professional experience that will translate from one library to another.  You’ve also learned where your strengths and interests lie, so don’t take that for granted.  Check out the other articles about transferable skills and how to market those on your application materials.

Second, we say all the time that librarianship is a very small profession.  That truth is amplified for special librarianship.  This is a tight group of professional colleagues who know, work with, and recommend others in their professional circles.  Make this work for you in three ways: one, stay close to your colleagues in the government law library where you’ve been working (think: future references and recommendations); two, start creating and working a professional network of other special librarians doing what you want to do (see other articles on informational interviews); and three, find a mentor who can walk with you through all of this and introduce you to others in the profession.

Finally, sit down and do some written exercises to help you identify what you want in the future for your career.  Assess what you have and what you need to achieve these goals, and create an action plan.  Just as you would plan any other event, thoughtful consideration, measurable goals, and an action plan will help you get there.

Q: I received my MLIS in March of this year and have now been called in for my first interview.  I just learned from the institution today who my competition is and what her qualifications are.  I’d thought I was a great candidate for the position — until I saw how much more experience the other candidate has!  Do you have any advice for new librarians competing for their first librarian jobs against professionals with years of experience? Thanks.

SM: Yes. In a nutshell: stop worrying about the competition.

But… here’s the thing — you usually wouldn’t know who your competition is when you are interviewing for a position. By knowing this information, it puts you in as awkward situation and has the potential to play havoc with your confidence – which is so not what you need when you are in the process of interviewing.

So, let’s pretend that you don’t know who your competition is or how much experience he or she has. In fact, you should not be thinking about your competition at all (or, you should expect everyone to be your competition). Ultimately, you should not be thinking about things you have no control over. You should be focused on the job and the interview and your rapport with the people you are meeting. You should be concerned about the requirements of the position and about  figuring out if you really want the job should they offer it to you. You should be concerned about your own abilities and experience and motivation and about selling those, and selling yourself, to the hiring committee.

You will always be competing with candidates who have more experience than you, and are more skilled at something than you are. But, that doesn’t mean that they are right for the job. Hiring committees don’t hire the candidate with the most experience, because they have the most experience. They hire the right candidate, the one who fits into the environment and meets the requirements of the job. A good personality, the ability to adapt to different situations and environments, and an affinity for learning can go a long way. I’m assuming that you meet all the requirements of the job, if you are applying for it; so therefore, you have just a good a chance as someone with more experience.* And, depending on the type of job it is, you may have a better chance. Many candidates may not be right for the position because they have too much experience. Hiring committees may not want to hire someone who has  years of experience for an entry-level position that requires minimal or no experience. So, look for entry-level positions and only apply to ones that you are qualified for.

*Caveat: this can get tricky if you have no experience, or very, very little… which is why we always recommend to get some experience (doesn’t need to be professional) before or during library school, so you have it under your belt when you start applying for positions.

Q: I’ve decided to take a few library science classes before applying to graduate school, mainly because I don’t have any prior experience working in a library and my undergraduate degree is in an unrelated field. Which would look better to the admissions office: a certificate from a local community college in library science or a couple of graduate courses? The certificate is in ‘library science basics’ and is 5 classes and would cost about the same as 2 graduate courses. Would one be more beneficial than the other? Are either really necessary?

SM: If you plan on going to library school at some point in the future, to pursue a graduate degree in library and information science (or equivalent), then the graduate courses would be better… because you are applying your money to that one degree. If you choose the certificate, which may be beneficial and help you get a library job (although not a librarian job), and then you decide that you do want to be a librarian, you will need to start over again in the graduate program. The certificate degree really won’t count and you will end up spending more money in the long run. As for what would look best for the admissions department – I think both would look good and show that you are motivated to learn and determined to work in libraries. But (and this is a big but), neither one is necessary to get into an LIS program. So, you might want to wait and apply to graduate school, and get into an LIS program, before spending any extra money on classes. And while you are in the program, work (or intern or volunteer) in a library to get the much needed experience which will help you get a job once you get the degree.

Q: I am considering a career change, after 18 years, from health care to the library profession. My interest in library work stems from my student work as a page in library and a passion for film, art and books. I will be attending an open house for an MLIS program and I am looking forward to finding helpful and relevant info as to whether this will be a good career direction. My feelings about this potential career choice are positive, however after reading comments posted about job and employment time cuts I am concerned about the overall stability of the profession. Any advice you can offer will be very much appreciated. Thank you.

SM: As long as you are motivated and enjoy what you are doing, I wouldn’t worry too much about the stability of the profession. The profession itself isn’t going anywhere, and as long as there are libraries, there will be librarians. Just remember that there are jobs out there in many different types of libraries and companies and institutions, and the skills that librarians possess are valued by other professions. Librarians go by many different names and yes, we often need to be strategic and creative as we search for jobs. If this is want you want to do, then go for it.

You are already checking out programs and attending open houses, which is a great way to meet people and ask questions about the program, specializations, and specific classes. Here are a few more tips:

• Don’t spend a ton of money on your degree. Librarians do not (typically) make a large salary and you don’t need to put yourself into massive debt for an MLS. As you research library schools, find out about financial aid options and grants and scholarships that you might be able to take advantage of and compare the pros and cons of several different programs.
• While in library school, or even before you start library school, get a job in a library. The MLS is a necessity to be a librarian, but it doesn’t guarantee you a job. Employers want experience, even from those just out of library school. Your past experience as a student worker counts, but more current experience will count even more, and will help you secure a job when you get out of school.
• Brush up on your technology and social media skills. Many employers expect their new(er) librarians to be on top of emerging technologies and trends.
• Try to determine your (librarian) niche. This might be difficult to do until you start library school, or start working in libraries, but you can start thinking about the different roles you might want to pursue (reference, instruction, cataloging, etc.), the types of libraries you might like to work in (special, academic, public, school) and the types of resources you might like to work with (archives, film/media, children’s books, consumer health, electronic resources, etc.).
• Seek out a mentor, whether in a formal program (offered by a school or a library organization) or informally with someone you admire and respect. It is always beneficial to have someone who can provide career advice and serve as a resource for you.
• Find support, encouragement, and comraderie in online forums. There are several blogs and sites and LinkedIn groups for new librarians, or those thinking of becoming librarians. Join up and join in the discussions.

Q: I started considering a library career about a year ago, but I wasn’t certain enough of my decision to apply to library schools. I decided it would be better for me to get some experience working in a library first. I was lucky enough to get a full-time library assistant position at a public library. In addition to circulation and customer service work, I also do reference, adult programming (mainly in the form of computer classes), and even a bit of outreach and website work. I’m planning on holding onto this job for at least a year or two and then applying to library schools. I’m wondering what types of things I can do now as a paraprofessional that will make me more competitive for library school, grants and scholarships, and eventually a library career. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you!

SM: What a great question! We always love it when people are planning ahead, setting professional goals and getting experience! And, it sounds like you are in a good position to acquire a variety of  skills and experience that will help you prepare for the job market after you get your MLS. As one of our readers pointed out in a recent comment, it is a tough job market out there. You need to be strategic and clever in developing your career path, and you need to arm yourself with the right experience, skills, and tools to compete for the job you want.

There are several things you can do to prepare yourself for graduate school, and for a career as a librarian, while working in a library (and working in a library is one of them, but you already have that covered). Here are just a few:

• Talk to your colleagues about their jobs and their career paths. Get information from people who have worked in the field for a long time. See what they did and ask them what they wish they had done or learned, and what skills they think are necessary for today’s librarian.
• Identify your strengths and weaknesses, your likes and dislikes. What are you good at: public service? cataloging? Are you extremely organized, socially-minded, technologically-driven? Do you love teaching others, do you like working with children? Do you want a career in public libraries? A good way to figure out what you want to do, and what you don’t want to do, is to get all the experience you can in all different areas and different types of libraries.
• Create something professional for your job: web sites or tutorials or handouts or guides. This will give you something tangible to show a potential employer. If that isn’t part of your current job, talk to your supervisor and see if you can develop something, or assist others who are creating materials in your library.
• Get involved with local library organizations or associations. Volunteer for committees or join discussion groups. This is a great way to network with people in your community and learn about other libraries and other jobs.
• Create a professional online identity, outside of your job: create profiles on social community sites, blog or tweet or join groups and conversations in LinkedIn. You want to be findable online.
• Identify schools that you would like to attend, look at their course offerings, their specializations, their instructors, their web sites, their tuition and fees, and their career services. Contact them to get more information, and ask about possible grants and scholarships.

More information on scholarships and grants:

American Library Association Scholarships

College Scholarships.org

ED.gov

Peterson’s College Search: Scholarships, Loans, Financial Aid, & the FAFSA

Q: I am getting ready to graduate with a BA in English Literature. I know I want to become a librarian (preferably public), but I am not sure how to get my foot in the door. Would it be best for me to continue on to graduate school now or get an entry level job at a public library and work my way up, eventually getting my MLS?

SM: It really depends on your situation, so I’m not going to tell you to put graduate school on hold, but I will tell you that you need to have that experience under your belt before you graduate. So, if you do decide to pursue your MLS immediately after getting your BA, then plan on working in a library while you attend school.

I do think that working in a library before going to library school can be beneficial because it gives you a better sense of what the profession is like and you will (most likely) figure out what you like to do and what you don’t like to do, what you are good at and what you are not so good at; which will help you to design your curriculum when you enter library school, and help you to be more selective with future job prospects and/or internships. When looking for jobs, keep your options open and get as much experience (in different areas, different roles, different technologies) as you can. You may even be drawn to a type of role or type of library that you hadn’t even considered.

Another benefit of getting a job before going to graduate school is that you might be able to keep your job while you attend library school. And, another good thing about getting that first library job is that it makes it so much easier to get your next library job. Even if you work in a public library for a year or so, and then move to another state for library school, you will have that necessary [public] library experience which will help get you a job in your new location. We can’t say it enough: the degree is necessary, but it really comes down to experience, experience, experience.

Q: Where can I find online library and library-related jobs?

TA: Local, national, and international library organizations all post employment opportunities.  Library and information schools also have job boards or listservs.  If all else fails, you can cast a wide net with a Google search: “Library jobs”.  Lots of options out there.

Q:  Hi. I had a few career related questions. I specialized in archival administration/special collections, and I’ve been struggling for 10 years now to find full time work. I would gladly take a job as a reference librarian or public librarian to at least get some full time experience, and maybe broaden my skill set so that at some point, I could go back into archives. But I’ve tried applying for reference/public librarian positions in the past, without luck. I’m convinced that these places are very, very picky in who they choose. They want someone with public or reference librarian experience. And while I have done reference work as part of my archival duties, I’m guessing they want “public/academic” reference experience? I don’t know, but my point is: is there a way to translate my archival skills into the public library/academic library sphere to improve my chances?

My other question is: I don’t have experience supervising anyone since my archival repository is a one person shop. Yet a lot of archival positions I see require supervisory experience. Likewise, while I’m familiar with different cataloging systems, and mark up languages, the collections in the archives are not integrated into the library’s online catalog, and even if they were, we have cataloging librarians who would handle this. Thus there’s no opportunity for me to get experience cataloging archival collections and using the different mark up languages. What can I do about these seemingly impossible to overcome catch 22′s?

TA: A couple of things to note: first, these places are not necessarily “very, very picky in who they choose”, it’s just that there are probably more qualified candidates with more directly related experience.  Which brings us to your primary question: How can I move from one specialization to another?  This can be tough.  As I’m sure you know, archival experience is very different from public libraries, or even academic libraries.  But there are commonalities among them and it’s your job as the candidate to make that case when applying for positions in libraries different from your own.  (See our previous articles on Transferable
Skills.)  You should also consider taking on volunteer opportunities or other part-time work to supplement your skills in the areas of reference and instruction; supervision, project management, and leadership; and cataloging and online catalogs.