Brooke Zarco has worked on and off in libraries since she was 16. She returned to school after switching career fields to get her MLS. She is now the Director of the Library in Blair, NE.
Titles hired include: Circulation Clerk, Library Assistant, Makerspace Associate
Who makes hiring decisions at your organization:
√ Library Administration
Which of the following does your organization regularly require of candidates?
√ Online application
√ References
√ Oral Exam/Structured interview
Does your organization use automated application screening?
√ No
Briefly describe the hiring process at your organization and your role in it:
I go through applications, select applicants for an interview, write the interview questions, interview, then I make the decisions on who to hire.
Think about the last candidate who really wowed you, on paper, in an interview, or otherwise. Why were they so impressive?
Very put together in an interview, they had library experience, and were finishing their education.
Do you have any instant dealbreakers?
Using “I’m a perfectionist” as an answer for a “Weakness.” (Not an instant “NO” but, justify why this is a Weakness). An assumption that I’ll hire them (people have come into interviews with this attitude).. Attempting to talk over my head about technology.
What do you wish you could know about candidates that isn’t generally revealed in the hiring process?
Their style of working in a team.
How many pages should each of these documents be?
Cover Letter: √ Two is ok, but no more
Resume: √ Two is ok, but no more
CV: √ Two is ok, but no more
What is the most common mistake that people make in an interview?
Not having things like strengths and weaknesses ready to go for answers.
Do you conduct virtual interviews? What do job hunters need to know about shining in this setting?
No. Have a tidy appearance, have a tidy desk/office situation.
How can candidates looking to transition from paraprofessional work, from non-library work, or between library types convince you that their experience is relevant? Or do you have other advice for folks in this kind of situation?
Relate interview questions back to their work experience. Use examples from past jobs.
When does your organization *first* mention salary information?
√ It’s part of the job ad
What does your organization do to reduce bias in hiring? What are the contexts in which discrimination still exists in this process?
Nothing. We are a city government and I am one of the few (1 of 2) women in upper management. I am the only woman who has a staff and a building who works in the city. I have to deal with sexism on the management end, but my department is majority women.
What questions should candidates ask you? What is important for them to know about your organization and the position you are hiring for?
“How important is customer service to you or your organization?”, I wish candidates would realize how much customer service is an integral part of library jobs. When candidates tell me they have anxiety around people, can’t deal with people, I will write them off because the job description requires Customer Service Skills (showing me they didn’t read the job description). I NEED customer service over technical skills. I can train the skills, I can’t always train being kind and courteous to patrons.
Additional Demographics
What part of the world are you in?
√ Midwestern US
What’s your region like?
√ Suburban
√ Rural
Is your workplace remote/virtual?
√ Never or not anymore
How many staff members are at your organization?
√ 11-50
Is there anything else you’d like to say, either to job hunters or to me, the survey author?
For those who do hiring, maybe ask for our list of job questions. I’d be happy to upload mine. For job hunters, at least in my library, tell me you are good with people for heaven’s sake. Don’t assume I have jobs that don’t deal with patrons/people.
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Hiring Librarians 
I have worked in libraries for over 20 years because of the people – they are the most important part of library work. It is hard for me to understand why someone would even consider applying for a library job if they can not comfortably work with people. This is such a crucial part of what we do and it makes me happy to hear that you put so much emphasis on this at your library.
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