Q:  I’m curious if a public library has/would ever hire someone with an M.Ed in library media studies (such as myself)–I would like to get out of the public school system and work with a different population.  If not, would I have to go get an entirely different masters (MLS) or could I supplement my M.Ed to make myself more marketable?

TA: The answer to your question will depend on what the vacancy announcement for the position states in the required qualifications.  If the position states a requirement of an ALA-accredited MLS, you will need the MLS.  If the position states a preference for an MLS, but will also accept an alternative degree, your M.ED in library and media studies should be an acceptable alternative. If there is any doubt, you should inquire with the contact listed for the hiring agency.  You may also want to look into the Certificate of Advanced Study, which is a certificate for someone already with a master’s degree looking to specialize in a particular area of library science.  Many schools offer the certification in person or online, and it may expand your future employment opportunities.

Q:  I have been a Reference Librarian for a community college for the last ten years. Recently I moved to be with family and friends. I see myself staying here and having a family. New to the job search/interview process, I am wondering how long it should take to get a job. My experience and references are good. Any advice would be much appreciated!

TA: The answer to your question can be a bit complicated.  It really depends on the type of position you’re seeking, the type of institution you’re considering, and the job market in your new location.  In general, an academic job search can take anywhere from 6 to 9 months from start to finish.  In my experience, reference positions generally yield the largest pool of candidates, so competition for individual positions can be fierce.  With your experience and good references, you are likely to be among the group considered, but you will want to explain in your cover letter how you’ve recently relocated to the area and you are truly interested in the position for which you’ve applied.  The one downside to experience is that you may be considered “out of the price range” or “overqualified” unless you state explicitly in your cover letter that you have relocated to the area and are interested in this specific position.

I’ve mentioned this in previous columns, but you may want to try a few informational interviews with librarians in the area to get to know the market, future colleagues, and future opportunities on the horizon.  By introducing yourself before you apply, you’ll be able to make connections that will serve you well down the line.

Q:  I have been a school librarian since 1998, I would like to work in an Academic Library, I was an adjunct for 1 year at a community college.  How would I market myself so that I would at least get an interview?  HS students are not that far removed from freshman in college.

TA: In my opinion, it is always the candidate’s responsibility to “sell” his or her candidacy to the hiring institution, and in a way, I think that’s your question: How do I market my experience as a school librarian and community college instructor to be considered a viable candidate for an academic library position?  I believe it comes down to three things: your cover letter, your resume and your transferable skills. 

Academic librarians do many things, but let’s assume you’re considering a public services position.  Look at your experience both as a school librarian and as an instructor and draw parallels between what you’ve done and what the hiring institution is looking for.  Try to put things into a context and vocabulary that are similar.  For example, talk about the reference and instruction you do, one on one and in small and large groups.  Talk about research consultations with upper level students and assisting with the research process.  You may also want to draw on your experience as a community college instructor to talk about working with faculty and instructors and students at the college level.  Use your resume to document your work history, and your cover letter to draw the parallels between your experience and their qualifications. 

It may be a difficult process.  It’s a fairly significant leap from school libraries to academic libraries, and it may take some time and planning.  Don’t forget librarianship at the community college level or in a smaller academic environment.  That could be a nice transition into a larger academic library and may give you the chance to get familiar with students and faculty at the collegiate level.

Q: I want to know the difference between Academic Librarians  and Special Librarians working in any organization or any Company.

TA:  If you consult the ALA-created website, Careers in Librarianship (http://www.ala.org/ala/educationcareers/careers/librarycareerssite/typesoflibraries.cfm), you’ll see that they define academic libraries as libraries that “serve colleges and universities, their students, staff and faculty.”  For a more information on a career in academic libraries, you should consult the Association of College and Research Libraries’ recruitment brochure: http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/issues/recruiting/recruiting.pdf.

Special libraries are defined as libraries “in a specialized environment of interest, such as corporations, hospitals, the military, museums, private businesses, and the government. Special libraries can serve particular populations, such as the blind and physically handicapped, while others are dedicated to special collections, such as the Library of Congress or a presidential library.”   For more information on special libraries, you may want to consult the Special Libraries Association’s website: http://www.sla.org/content/learn/ipvalue/index.cfm. 

Just as an FYI, the ALA website listed above also gives a working definition of Public Libraries and School Libraries.  Check them out if you’re interested.

Q: I am planning to go back to school for library science and will need to choose a minor.  I want to be sure I will be able to find employment when I graduate. I am planning on moving to the New England area.  What types of library positions will be available, do you think, in 2016?

TA: Well Laurie, it’s a little hard to project that far out on my own, so I took a look at the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition website (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos068.htm) to see what they think is on the horizon for the profession.  According the BLS site, “employment of librarians is expected to grow by 8% between 2008 and 2018”, which is equivalent to the average growth of all occupations.  This is good news for folks, such as you, considering librarianship as a career.  The BLS goes on to report the following:

Jobs for librarians outside traditional settings will grow the fastest over the decade. Nontraditional librarian jobs include working as information brokers and working for private corporations, nonprofit organizations, and consulting firms. Many companies are turning to librarians because of their research and organizational skills and their knowledge of computer databases and library automation systems. Librarians can review vast amounts of information and analyze, evaluate, and organize it according to a company’s specific needs. Librarians also are hired by organizations to set up information on the Internet. Librarians working in these settings may be classified as systems analysts, database specialists and trainers, webmasters or Web developers, or local area network (LAN) coordinators.

I would heartily agree with this projection and have seen recent graduates moving into positions not conceived of many years ago.  I would also toss out my own opinion for your consideration which includes the stability of academic library positions, especially if you’re relocating to the New England area, where academic institutions, large and small, abound.  Strongly supported libraries are part of the accreditation process, which means that while their roles may evolve over time, librarians will still be present on campus.

Q: I would like to know the probability of being interviewed/hired for an out-of-state position. As a recent graduate, I am looking for an entry level position. I am curious if employers are ever hesitant to contact someone who may live out of state.

SM: To answer your question directly, I’m sure there are employers who are hesitant to contact an applicant who lives out of state. Many institutions cannot or will not pay to bring in applicants from other states, or even those who live on the other side of the state. But, I have been on many search committees and I can safely say that employers want the best possible applicant pool they can get. My advice: don’t worry about what employers may or may not think, or if they may or may not have the money to bring in applicants from out of state. Apply for all the jobs you are qualified for, no matter where they are located. Employers want to find the best person for the job, and that means that many of them will be looking at out-of-state applicants.

I am speaking from an academic library perspective. Public library systems, school libraries and government/special libraries may require their applicants (and employees) to live inside the city, county, or state limits.

When a job is posted, employers have to consider and accept resumes from all applicants. It gets a little trickier with applicants from other countries who may require visas in order to work in the United States, and who may not have the equivalent credentials to qualify for the job at hand.

First, you need to ask yourself: are you willing to move for a job? If you are, you will have an easier time searching for that perfect job. Being geographically mobile will allow you to apply for many more positions and, it will allow you to be more selective in your search because you have that many more jobs available to you.

Second, you need to ask yourself: are you willing to pay your own way to interview for a job? Normally, I would advise people to be hesitant (as in “don’t do it!”) about spending their own money for the mere chance of a job. When I was looking for jobs in other states I turned down several interviews because I – indignantly – refused to pay my own way. My thoughts on this have mellowed slightly over the years. I would still advise people to be hesitant, but I realize that many institutions have experienced severe budget cuts and hiring freezes and as much as they would like to pay for a candidate to come for an interview, they cannot.

Here are some things to think about before you pay your own way:

• You need to have a really good feeling about the position and be fairly certain you would take the job if offered.

• Only pay your way if you have the money to do so. Some trips and locations are much more expensive than others, so estimate how much it will be and figure out if you can afford it, and if it is worth it (even if you do not get the job). Perhaps you have a friend or relative you can stay with, or it is a destination you had planned to visit anyway.

• Try to get to know them (the library, the staff, the search committee, the director, the institution) and the city/area as much as possible from a distance. Do your research!

• Make sure that they know you by having a well-crafted cover letter and resume, and supporting materials (such as an online portfolio, professional web site, samples of your work, etc.) that you can provide to them ahead of time.

• Ask the search committee how many candidates they are inviting for in-person interviews. Normally you wouldn’t ask this, but if you have to pay your own way, this could affect your decision to interview. If they are inviting two or three people, then your chances will be much better than if they are inviting five or six people.

Finally, before you go for an out-of-state interview, no matter who pays, you will (or you should) have an initial interview, either over the phone or via Skype (or Google Chat, etc.). So brush up on your phone interview skills and be prepared if the search committee wants you to do a Skype interview. You might even suggest it to them… just be sure to wear a suit if you are going to be on camera.