Q: I am considering a career change and have been thinking about getting my MLS. I am wondering what the job prospects are like for school librarians. Also what is the day to day career like? What do librarians like the most about their jobs? What do they like the least? What kind of job satisfaction do they have? Thank you so much for any information you can provide.

SM:  Since neither Tiffany nor I are school librarians  (often called school library media specialists), we cannot give you firsthand advice on what it is like to be one. However, we are quite good at providing information that might be useful:

• The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) site (although somewhat outdated) provides good information on recruitment to the profession, education and licensing, and finding jobs.
• The Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, has information on the nature of the work, job outlook, and training and advancement.
• Meet Your New School Library Media Specialist by Eric Weil
• The School Library Media Specialist — Designed as a tool for a university course at Indiana University at Indianapolis.
•  School Library Media Specialist Programs by Jonathan Swartz
• A Day in the Life of a School Librarian and Media Specialist Teacher
• 50 States’ Certification Requirements for teachers.

Find out if your State has a school library media association, and if so, check out their web site. They can provide you with information on specific certifications you may need and offer educational resources and tools. You can also look at your State’s Department of Education web site for information on teacher certification. Check out library job postings online to get a sense of how many jobs are available right now, and read the job listings to get an idea of what employers are looking for in an ideal job candidate. And finally, look into some library schools that offer a school library degree program to see what the curriculum is like and to find out more information on what it takes to get started.

I have a few friends who currently work, or have worked, as school librarians (or school library media specialists) and they tell me the best parts of the job are working with students and the schedule (which definitely has its advantages especially if you have school age kids yourself). I’ve heard that the job can be more like that of a classroom teacher than a traditional librarian, and in many schools, your closest colleagues are teachers. We would love to hear from our readers who happen to be school librarians. Please tell us what you love, and don’t love, about your job.

Q:  I have been applying for academic librarian positions in southern California for just over two years. I received my MLIS in 2004 from Florida State University and have six years full-time elementary librarianship experience, three years part-time college reference librarian experience, and a year of part-time public reference librarian experience– all in the state of Florida. Since it was my goal to expand my experience and horizons as far as I could, I worked these jobs concurrently. When I returned to my hometown to help care for my aging father two and a half years ago, I managed to gain employment as a technician/circulation supervisor in a community college library. While my current position has set me back directionally in my career path, many of my current responsibilities include management, collection development, committee involvement and collaborative skills that parallel those of many academic librarian positions. Is there are real possibility that college and university librarian hiring committees might accept my experience as appropriately transferable or will I be deemed an unsuitable candidate?

TA:  It’s hard to make such a sweeping blanket statement like being “deemed an unsuitable candidate” forever.  The end.  It’s never as easy as All Yes, or All No, but some people are able to switch specializations very successfully.  I’m not personally acquainted with the California job market, but I would bet there are many similarities to other job markets across the country.  Here are a few pointers:

As we’ve stated many times before, it’s the candidate’s job to give the hiring committee what they’re looking for in the ideal candidate.  Don’t make assumptions and don’t expect the committee to deduce that you have what they need from simple statements on your resume or in your cover letter.  Make it very clear what you’ve accomplished and how it relates to the job for which you’re applying. 

Use vocabulary in your letter that reflects current terms in use in academic libraries.  Your statement above about your current responsibilities including “management, collection development, committee involvement and collaborative skills” is a good example.

Address your reasons for moving from position to position in your cover letter.  Don’t make it autobiographical essay, but be sure to give some idea about why you changed jobs and specializations.  Even being as brief as “For personal reasons, I returned to Florida where I now serve as a supervisor in a local community college that has over 9,000 enrolled students on 4 campuses.  In this capacity, I manage/lead/supervise/coordinate…” will work in the letter.

Apply for positions that will give you good experience for the next position.  Remember, your career will build over time, and while you may have taken a sideways step, you’ll still get there with careful planning and execution.

Q:  I completed my MLIS degree in 2010. I have 7 years of public library experience working as a Library Page and 4 years as a Library Assistant in a special library. While job hunting, it seems I am either overqualified since I have my MLIS, or underqualified since I don’t have years and years of experience. (But how do you get experience when you can’t find a job?) I have been sending out applications, but haven’t heard back from anyone. How can I get a full-time job? What am I doing wrong?

TA:  We hear often from others on the market who feel the same or similar…folks who are looking for a good fit and a good fulltime position in the library profession.  Unfortunately for many, that job is hard to find, and it’s not because they (or you) are doing anything wrong.  Many libraries are having to scale back on recruitment due to the economy, and many librarians close to retirement are staying in positions longer because of their own personal finances and the economic uncertainties.  This results in very large applicant pools for the few positions that are actually being filled.  Be sure that you apply for positions for which you are truly qualified.  Sometimes, I hear entry-level librarians say that they’ve just gotten so discouraged that they’re applying for “everything” they see.  While this might seem to be an effective strategy (it’s got to increase your chances of landing a job if you have a lot of applications out there, right?) I think it actually works against a candidate’s chances because you’re not targeting your efforts and spending time where it belongs.

You may also want to have someone look over your resume and cover letter to get feedback on how it’s perceived by the reader—Is it too advanced for entry level?  Is it too general for higher level positions?  ALA’s New Members Round Table offers a resume review service (year-round for members, and on site for everyone who makes an appointment during ALA Annual and Midwinter conferences), as well as similar services provided by local and statewide professional associations.  You may also want to consider information interviews with HR professionals or subject specialists in institutions where you’re looking.  (Take a look at our previous articles on Informational Interviews)

Most importantly, stay positive and stay active professionally.  Attend professional association meetings in your local area.  Follow blogs, listservs, and literature…just stay involved with the current conversation.  It will serve you well on the job market, during your interviews, and in your first position.

Q:  I am a certified public librarian for approximately a year now.  While we all know it’s not the best area for a career due to all the funding cuts, I chose this career because it’s the only thing I can honestly say I love doing.  This is my second career, and I spent the past 13 grueling years getting educated for it thinking I would graduate and get a job.  I wanted more security, and wanted to be able to retire with a decent pension.  Now there are very few full-time positions, and most libraries are taking full-time positions and cutting them down to part-time positions which do not include benefits.  It’s really frustrating.  But what’s even more frustrating is knowing that I am very competent, but constantly get overlooked.  Just recently there were some positions available in my library that were never posted, and ended up in the hands of “friends” of our director.  It’s really very upsetting to be an individual that does not know that many people, therefore, a job is not in the cards for me.  Everyone in my library is aware of this, but are all afraid to speak.  It happens right in front of us and I just want to cry sometimes because there is really nothing I can do about it.  I took the civil service exams, but recently learned that the director’s know their way around those lists as well.  They can hire anyone they want to have that just by just pulling a few strings and knowing how to do it.  It’s that simple.  Therefore, there is no security for me, and many other hard working librarians.  It’s very unfortunate, but I don’t think there is anything I can do. 

I am currently experiencing some medical problems that are requiring very expensive testing.  I make less than $25,000 a year, but I am not eligible for low-cost insurance because I make too much money, therefore it’s going to cost me thousands.  I get killed in taxes because I do not own anything, and probably won’t at this point.  I barely put food on my table, but in order to get somewhere I have to know somebody.  So my question is, at this point, what can I do with my degree other than be a librarian?   I thought about going back to become a digital librarian, but at this point, I am knee deep in student loans, and would hate to invest in that and have it become ineffective in the way of getting a job. 

I’m sorry if I sound so negative, but I am a single woman, and really put all my heart and soul into getting this degree.  I am feeling a bit discouraged right now, and it doesn’t help when you find out a position was filled at your library and you never even had a chance because it was another case of nepotism.  What makes me think I will ever have a chance?    

Thank you for listening.  I am looking forward to your advice. 

TA:  I don’t mean for this to sound tough, and perhaps written communication isn’t the most effective way of sharing this message for either one of us, but the tone of your question comes across as negative, overly dramatic, and very discouraging, and this isn’t how you attract potential employers.  I’m sure you’d never strike this tone with an employer, but be careful how you frame your situation.

First, you talk about how much you love being a librarian, but describe your education process as “13 grueling years”.  I can’t say as I’ve heard of a degree program that takes that long, so my guess is it wasn’t getting your degree that was grueling, but probably the circumstances preventing you from finishing it in a timely manner.  Still, the vibe you put out there is all about struggle.  You need to flip that thinking (and your vocabulary) into more about development, accomplishments, and success.

Second, I would guess that it’s probably more perception than stated, accepted fact that your director works around policy and puts people into positions solely based on nepotism.  The problem with perception is that sometimes it’s actually right, which leads people to conclude that all their assumptions and perceptions are correct.  If the director is actually guilty of nepotism, then yes, you’re going to want to find another place of employment for advancement opportunities if you’re not in that inner circle.  If however, it’s just your perception that he or she is guilty of nepotism, that sure is an easy way out of having no accountability in terms of your own advancement and growth.  It’s a lot easier to sit back and blame than it is to identity and take ownership of deficiencies and do something about it.

Third, think carefully about how much information you share and why you’re sharing it.  Your medical tests, your taxes and your marital status probably have little to do with your professional struggles, but you put everything out there and it really muddies the water.  If you read your question carefully and pull out the job-related information, your questions boil down primarily to two things: 1) What can I do with my degree, other than be a librarian; and 2) Will I ever have a chance at a promotion?  In response to Question 1, check out the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for librarians (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos068.htm#related), specifically the section on related occupations.  And in response to Question 2, take some time to reflect on what you have to offer, what you want in the short- and long-term, and what skills and abilities you’ll need to acquire to achieve that.  Compare that with what your current employer offers, and what else is out there.  Then make a plan and chart your course.  Don’t sit back and wait.  Aim for success, not stagnation.

Q:  Hello. I am currently searching for employment as a librarian. I have my master’s in library science and practical experience working in academic and special libraries part time for several years. I got a DUI in 2007 and I am wondering how this affects my job search and how employers treat qualified candidates with a DUI on their record. Any insight?

TA:  A lot of employers these days require candidates to complete an authorization form to run a criminal background check, and in some cases this can cover everything from routine traffic violations (especially if the job requires a valid driver’s license in good standing) to more serious criminal violations.  Each institution approaches this differently, and in some cases, the employer can run a risk assessment to determine if the violation is serious enough (or related enough) to the job to disqualify the candidate from employment.  My advice would be to be honest when asked to complete the form and disclose any criminal convictions.  I think the worst case scenario would be discovering a criminal conviction when none was disclosed by the candidate completing the form.  You may also want to look into the possibility of having the DUI expunged.  Some states allow for this and you may want to contact a lawyer to find out if it is possible and in your best interest.

Q:  Which states would allow me to be a public librarian without a MLS?  I have 16 years of teaching experience, the past two years as a Teacher-Librarian with a Library Endorsement. My graduate degree is in Bilingual and Multicultural Education.  As a school librarian in AZ, my position may not exist next year.  I see that New Mexico offers the option of public library certification by taking and passing their Class One or Class II (based on population) Certification tests.  Are there any other states that offer this option?

TA:  Educational requirements for public librarians can vary by state or even local community.  According the Public Library Association’s Careers in Public Librarianship webpage:

Most public librarian positions require a Master of Library Science (MLS) or a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree, preferably from a school accredited by the American Library Association (ALA). There are many options regarding program style and size. Undergraduate degrees in almost any subject area are appropriate.”

And looking at the U.S. Government’s Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, the MLS “is necessary for librarian positions in most public, academic, and special libraries.”  However, the Handbook goes on to say:

States generally have certification requirements for librarians in public schools and local libraries, though there are wide variations among States…Most States also have developed certification standards for local public libraries, although in some States these guidelines are voluntary.”

With so much variability in educational requirements, it might be best to find a geographic area of interest and research local recruitment practices and requirements.

Q:  I am currently attending the MLIS online program at Rutgers after a career as an attorney, in the school media specialist track.  I have volunteered in my children’s elementary school library for the last 8 years.  For the past two years, I, along with two other parents, stepped in to take over the duties of the library aide when that position was cut.  However, I would like to get more experience.  How does one go about getting an internship or just a volunteer position at a public library?  Thanks.

TA:  One of the easiest ways to get an internship or volunteer position is to be recommended by someone who can speak to your work style, professionalism and dependability.  If there’s someone you’ve been working with at the elementary school (a professional librarian, a teacher, the school’s principal) who can make a call on your behalf to the public library, or write a letter of recommendation, that will open a lot of doors for you.  If you don’t have that option available to you, you can always work through your graduate school’s career center.  While it may be more difficult because it’s an online program and they may not have personal contacts in the area, it is their job (and their mission) to assist you with on-the-job experiences that supplement your graduate school education.  They may also be able to connect you with alumni in your local area who could offer volunteer and internship experiences.

Q: I just had a very frustrating interview.  It was for a job that I really wanted; a community college library in a rural area.  I was frustrated because the interview team only asked me about five questions (I can only remember three of them).  They didn’t ask me anything thing about the library services I would provide, or my philosophy.  These are the questions they asked:

• I see you went to XXX College.  How did you end up in XXX State (where I’ve lived for the past 5 years)?
• Would you mind helping out in other areas?
• Why are you interested in this job?

Then they opened up questions on my end?  If I end up with this type of situation again what questions should I ask?  How do I let them know what I am all about?

SM: Every job interview is unique, and every search committee is looking for someone specific. And you may or may not be that person. It can be frustrating to have high expectations before an interview and then walk away from it feeling that maybe you could have done something differently, something more.

It is unfortunate that they asked you so few questions, but don’t read too much into it. They could have had most of their answers already from your phone interview (if you had one), from your resume, or from your cover letter. The interview, quite possibly, could just be a formality, to see how you would fit in. Other possibilities are: the interview team could have been burnt out on interviewing, or the person asking the questions could have been having a bad day [I got food poisoning once during an interview, when I was the chair of the search committee. I had to drive the candidate back to her hotel and I barely made it home. Not my best day.] You’ll never know what goes on behind the scenes, so don’t beat yourself up about it.

As for letting the interview team (or search committee) know what you are all about – you could have done this when they asked you “why are you interested in this job?” That question is probably the most important one anyone can ask, in any interview. It gives you an opportunity to express your interest in the job/library/institution, to talk about how you are qualified for the job, and to let them know why you would be a good fit for it.

You should always ask your interviewers questions. Write them down before you go for the interview and remember to ask them. You want to make sure the job is a good fit for you as well. Here are some questions might help you discover more about them while letting them know more about you:

• What is a typical day like for a librarian in this role?
• How do the librarians work together/collaborate?
• Is professional development supported and/or encouraged for the librarians and library staff?
• What are some new initiatives you are working on?
• How do the librarians work with the teaching faculty (for academic positions)? Or, How do the librarians work with the community (for public librarians)?
• What is the library’s reference/instruction/collection development philosophy? (tailor to fit the position)
• What do you (the interviewers) like about your job?
• What do you (the interviewers) like about working at XXX library?

And, throw in a question or two that is specific about their library or institution. This shows your interviewers that you have done your research on them. For example:

• I see that the library has a Facebook page. Do you find that it is a successful marketing tool?
• I noticed that you offer drop-in sessions for students. Who teaches these and which ones are the most popular?
• Your LibGuides are very informative and well-designed. If I was hired, would I be able to create and maintain guides?

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:

• Chronicle of Higher Education 
• HigherEd Jobs 

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 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.