This anonymous interview is with an academic librarian who has been a hiring manager and a member of a hiring or search committee. This person hires the following types of LIS professionals:
Catalogers, systems, reference
This librarian works at a library with 10-50 staff members in a city/town in the Midwestern US.
Do library schools teach candidates the job skills you are looking for in potential hires?
√ Depends on the school/Depends on the candidate
What coursework do you think all (or most) MLS/MLIS holders should take, regardless of focus?
√ Cataloging
√ Collection Management
√ Programming (Coding)
√ Web Design/Usability
√ Research Methods
√ Reference
√ Instruction
Do you find that there are skills that are commonly lacking in MLS/MLIS holders? If so, which ones?
I find some lack practical experience which can be gained either as a staff worker (student workers can gain valuable experience as well) or an internship.
When deciding who to hire out of a pool of candidates, do you value skills gained through coursework and skills gained through practice differently?
√ No preference–as long as they have the skill, I don’t care how they got it
Which skills (or types of skills) do you expect a new hire to learn on the job (as opposed to at library school)?
professional organization involvement beyond just membership;
advanced reference interviewing
Which of the following experiences should library students have upon graduating?
√ Library work experience
√ Internship or practicum
√ Other presentation
Are there any library schools whose alumni you would be reluctant to hire?
I have not experienced any in recent years. There were some in the 70s 80s and 90s
What advice do you have for students who want to make the most of their time in library school?
I would say they should be well rounded in library skills
This survey was coauthored by Brianna Marshall from Hack Library School. Interested in progressive blogging, by, for, and about library students? Check it out!
Hiring Librarians 