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What's Online? Recommended Links
Job-seeking librarians who take their search online are faced with an overwhelming variety of resources. How can busy information professionals make the best use of online resources to help them locate the most applicable jobs in the least amount of time?
Start your search with one of the library job meta-sites, such as Lisjobs at http://www.lisjobs.com/ or Library Job Postings on the Internet at http://webhost.bridgew.edu/snesbeitt/libraryjobs.htm. Each of these includes links to a large number of other job sites, as well as often-updated job listings.
Next, narrow your search down to the particular state(s) where you wish to find employment. Use Lisjobs.com's state listings at http://www.lisjobs.com/states.htm or Ann's Place's state information at http://www7.50megs.com/aerobin/libjob/statelib.html to locate the major online resources for job listings in your state. These often include Internet newsletters from local library systems or online joblines from your state association or library. Check each of these state sites to see how often it is updated (usually weekly or biweekly, sometimes monthly) and see if there is an option to receive job postings or newsletters straight to your e-mail box. Take advantage of any e-mail offers to reduce the need to remember to visit a site on a regular basis.
Does your library school have a placement center? Is there a library school in or near your state? Use ALA's directory of accredited programs at http://www.ala.org/alaorg/oa/lisdir.html to find nearby schools and check their web sites for links to placement centers and/or online job listings. Some schools also offer current students and alums access to employment e-mail lists, so, if you haven't recently been back to your alma mater, now is the time to check.
Join a couple of targeted e-mail discussion lists in your area of interest. Use Library-Oriented Lists and Electronic Serials at http://www.wrlc.org/liblists/ to find these lists, on which members often post job ads. Such lists are also a good way to find out what is going on in the field, to develop yourself professionally, and to become in the long run more employable.
Also be sure to check the sites of local and national library associations. SLA, for example, maintains a database of special library positions at http://sla.jobcontrolcenter.com/, and law librarians should visit the AALL job placement center at http://www.aallnet.org/services/hotline.asp. Locate the major associations in your area of specialty and find out if they provide online listings.
Are you interested in working in a particular institution? Use Libweb at http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/Libweb/ to locate its web site and see if it posts positions online -- often you can find jobs posted on an individual library's site before an ad makes it into any other venue.
Lastly, if you want that extra bit of assistance in locating a position, or if temping better fits your schedule, contact your nearest library employment agency. A list of these is available at Lisjobs.com at http://www.lisjobs.com/temp.htm.