Category Archives: Southern US

by langerholcs | September 19, 2015 · 8:00 am

We have a position for which we cannot find a qualified applicant, probably due to low pay.

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:

Academic librarians who wear many hats, but all involve reference functions. Right now we are looking for someone to perform reference to off-campus students and to coordinate marketing of library services.

This librarian works at a library with 0-10 staff members in a rural area in the Southern US.

Approximately how many people applied for the last librarian (or other professional level) job at your workplace?

√ 25 or fewer

Approximately what percentage of those would you say were hirable?

√ 25% or less

And how would you define “hirable”?

Having all of the minimum requirements for the position as advertised.

How are applications evaluated, and by whom?

All applications are evaluated (retaining only those hireable) by the Director of Library Services before being submitted to the committee, which is composed of the entire library staff.

What is the most common reason for disqualifying an applicant without an interview?

Not having the appropriate skill sets for the position.

Do you (or does your library) give candidates feedback about applications or interview performance?

√ Yes

What is the most important thing for a job hunter to do in order to improve his/her/their hirability?

Continue to expand his/her skill sets and experience, even if that means volunteering.

I want to hire someone who is

qualified

How many staff members are at your library/organization?

√ 0-10

How many permanent, full time librarian (or other professional level) jobs has your workplace posted in the last year?

√ 1

How many permanent, full time para-professional (or other non-professional level) jobs has your workplace posted in the last year?

√ Other: none

Can you tell us how the number of permanent, full-time librarian positions at your workplace has changed over the past decade?

√ There are more positions

Have any full-time librarian positions been replaced with part-time or hourly workers over the past decade?

√ No

Have any full-time librarian positions been replaced with para-professional workers over the past decade?

√ No

Does your workplace require experience for entry-level professional positions? If so, is it an official requirement or just what happens in practice?

No.

Is librarianship a dying profession?

√ No

Why or why not?

We have a position for which we cannot find a qualified applicant, probably due to low pay. If the profession dies it will not be due to lack of need for the profession, but due to no one wishing to work for the pay being offered. Then the same functions will be fulfilled by another position, but they will always be necessary functions.

Do you hire librarians? Take this survey: http://tinyurl.com/hiringlibjobmarketsurvey or take other Hiring Librarians surveys.

For some context, look at the most recent summary of responses.

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Filed under 0-10 staff members, Academic, Rural area, Southern US, State of the Job Market 2015

Tagged as librarians, library careers, library hiring, library school, tumblarians

by langerholcs | September 16, 2015 · 8:00 am

First weeded by HR through unknown set of criteria

This anonymous interview is with a public 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, children’s librarians, reference librarians, managers

This librarian works at a library with 100-200 staff members in an urban area in the Southern US.

Approximately how many people applied for the last librarian (or other professional level) job at your workplace?

√ 25 or fewer

Approximately what percentage of those would you say were hirable?

√ 25% or less

And how would you define “hirable”?

Had minimum qualifications, didn’t have job requirements we couldn’t meet

How are applications evaluated, and by whom?

First weeded by HR through unknown set of criteria, then by search committee head and then search committee

What is the most common reason for disqualifying an applicant without an interview?

Doesn’t have minimum required qualifications (no experience in needed field, etc.)

Do you (or does your library) give candidates feedback about applications or interview performance?

√ No

What is the most important thing for a job hunter to do in order to improve his/her/their hirability?

articulate professional experience in terms of the job one is applying for

I want to hire someone who is

teachable

How many staff members are at your library/organization?

√ 100-200

How many permanent, full time librarian (or other professional level) jobs has your workplace posted in the last year?

√ 7 or more

How many permanent, full time para-professional (or other non-professional level) jobs has your workplace posted in the last year?

√ 7 or more

Can you tell us how the number of permanent, full-time librarian positions at your workplace has changed over the past decade?

√ There are more positions

Have any full-time librarian positions been replaced with part-time or hourly workers over the past decade?

√ I don’t know

Have any full-time librarian positions been replaced with para-professional workers over the past decade?

√ I don’t know

Does your workplace require experience for entry-level professional positions? If so, is it an official requirement or just what happens in practice?

yes, officially

Is librarianship a dying profession?

√ No

Why or why not?

Always need someone to navigate resources, whether in print, online, or in some multimedia format. Librarian work has become more important, and while one can get the needed education via experience, professional training is a much needed component for most.

Do you hire librarians? Take this survey: http://tinyurl.com/hiringlibjobmarketsurvey or take other Hiring Librarians surveys.

For some context, look at the most recent summary of responses.

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Filed under 100-200 staff members, Public, Southern US, State of the Job Market 2015, Urban area

Tagged as librarians, library careers, library hiring, library school, tumblarians

by langerholcs | September 14, 2015 · 8:00 am

We’re willing to give folks a chance.

This anonymous interview is with a public 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:

reference librarians, catalogers, children’s librarians, extension librarians

This librarian works at a library with 100-200 staff members in a suburban area in the Southern US.

Approximately how many people applied for the last librarian (or other professional level) job at your workplace?

√ 25 or fewer

Approximately what percentage of those would you say were hirable?

√ 25% or less

And how would you define “hirable”?

Have a Master’s Degree (not all did); had experience of some kind – even volunteering; had customer service experience.

How are applications evaluated, and by whom?

The librarian over that department reviews all applications and pulls the top three to five to actually interview.

What is the most common reason for disqualifying an applicant without an interview?

No degree; poor application – spelling, grammar, etc.

Do you (or does your library) give candidates feedback about applications or interview performance?

√ No

What is the most important thing for a job hunter to do in order to improve his/her/their hirability?

Come prepared to the interview. Be upbeat and personable. Make sure your resume is up to date and no mistakes on it.

I want to hire someone who is

a people person – the rest can be taught.

How many staff members are at your library/organization?

√ 100-200

How many permanent, full time librarian (or other professional level) jobs has your workplace posted in the last year?

√ 3-4

How many permanent, full time para-professional (or other non-professional level) jobs has your workplace posted in the last year?

√ 5-6

Can you tell us how the number of permanent, full-time librarian positions at your workplace has changed over the past decade?

√ There are more positions

Have any full-time librarian positions been replaced with part-time or hourly workers over the past decade?

√ No

Have any full-time librarian positions been replaced with para-professional workers over the past decade?

√ No

Does your workplace require experience for entry-level professional positions? If so, is it an official requirement or just what happens in practice?

It’s preferred, but not necessary. We’re willing to give folks a chance.

Is librarianship a dying profession?

√ No

Why or why not?

As long as we work to make our library relevant, we’ll be around. We have to adapt to the changes in our community.

Do you hire librarians? Take this survey: http://tinyurl.com/hiringlibjobmarketsurvey or take other Hiring Librarians surveys.

For some context, look at the most recent summary of responses.

Leave a comment

Filed under 100-200 staff members, Public, Southern US, State of the Job Market 2015, Suburban area

Tagged as librarians, library careers, library hiring, library school, tumblarians

by langerholcs | September 10, 2015 · 8:00 am

Learn about the Library job and system before applying

This anonymous interview is with a public 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:

Reference Librarians, both YA & YS Librarians

This librarian works at a library with 200+ staff members in a suburban area in the Southern US.

Approximately how many people applied for the last librarian (or other professional level) job at your workplace?

√ 25-75

Approximately what percentage of those would you say were hirable?

√ 25% or less

And how would you define “hirable”?

ALA accredited Master’s Degree
Core competencies
Customer service oriented

How are applications evaluated, and by whom?

If a candidate does not meet the required facets of the job description then HR weeds the application.

What is the most common reason for disqualifying an applicant without an interview?

Lack of skill set and qualifying required parameters

Do you (or does your library) give candidates feedback about applications or interview performance?

√ No

What is the most important thing for a job hunter to do in order to improve his/her/their hirability?

Learn about the Library job and system before applying and ensure that the minimum qualifications are met.

I want to hire someone who is

Responsible

How many staff members are at your library/organization?

√ 200+

How many permanent, full time librarian (or other professional level) jobs has your workplace posted in the last year?

√ 7 or more

How many permanent, full time para-professional (or other non-professional level) jobs has your workplace posted in the last year?

√ 7 or more

Can you tell us how the number of permanent, full-time librarian positions at your workplace has changed over the past decade?

√ There are fewer positions

Have any full-time librarian positions been replaced with part-time or hourly workers over the past decade?

√ Yes

Have any full-time librarian positions been replaced with para-professional workers over the past decade?

√ Yes

Is librarianship a dying profession?

√ No

Why or why not?

People need help bridging the digital divide and even more help with understanding what constitutes a valid resource

Do you hire librarians? Take this survey: http://tinyurl.com/hiringlibjobmarketsurvey or take other Hiring Librarians surveys.

For some context, look at the most recent summary of responses.

Leave a comment

Filed under 200+ staff members, Public, Southern US, State of the Job Market 2015, Suburban area

Tagged as librarians, library careers, library hiring, library school, tumblarians

by langerholcs | September 6, 2015 · 8:00 am

I need someone who is interested in MY job

This anonymous interview is with a public 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:

Reference, children’s, teen, adult programming

This librarian works at a library with 200+ staff members in an urban area in the Southern US.

Approximately how many people applied for the last librarian (or other professional level) job at your workplace?

√ 75-100

Approximately what percentage of those would you say were hirable?

√ 25% or less

And how would you define “hirable”?

A bachelors degree is required with some relatable experience or a MLS

How are applications evaluated, and by whom?

Applications are initially vetted by HR based on questions answered by the applicant. HR rates the applicants. The hiring manager than can view the resumes, and select interviewees.

What is the most common reason for disqualifying an applicant without an interview?

Not qualified or mistakes on the resume/cover letter (if a cover letter is included)

Do you (or does your library) give candidates feedback about applications or interview performance?

√ No

What is the most important thing for a job hunter to do in order to improve his/her/their hirability?

Write a professional cover letter and resume that is tailored to the job. I need someone who is interested in MY job, and not just wanting to be hired anywhere.

I want to hire someone who is

passionate

How many staff members are at your library/organization?

√ 200+

How many permanent, full time librarian (or other professional level) jobs has your workplace posted in the last year?

√ 3-4

How many permanent, full time para-professional (or other non-professional level) jobs has your workplace posted in the last year?

√ 5-6

Can you tell us how the number of permanent, full-time librarian positions at your workplace has changed over the past decade?

√ I don’t know

Have any full-time librarian positions been replaced with part-time or hourly workers over the past decade?

√ No

Have any full-time librarian positions been replaced with para-professional workers over the past decade?

√ No

Does your workplace require experience for entry-level professional positions? If so, is it an official requirement or just what happens in practice?

No, but it is desired.

Is librarianship a dying profession?

√ No

Why or why not?

Libraries are changing as the information needs of our customers change. However, there is still a role for libraries and librarians to fulfill if the libraries are willing to adjust.

Do you have any other comments, for job hunters or about the survey?

I hear a lot about newly minted MLS saying that there are no jobs available, but we do not get quality applicants. You are applying for a professional position, and the resume and cover letter should be professional and well-written. If you cannot write a resume for your own job, how will you answer questions my library users have when trying to write theirs?

Do you hire librarians? Take this survey: http://tinyurl.com/hiringlibjobmarketsurvey or take other Hiring Librarians surveys.

For some context, look at the most recent summary of responses.

1 Comment

Filed under 200+ staff members, Public, Southern US, State of the Job Market 2015, Urban area

Tagged as librarians, library careers, library hiring, library school, tumblarians

by langerholcs | August 31, 2015 · 8:00 am

We generally have enough applicants to select only those that have experience.

This anonymous interview is with a public 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:

Adult reference librarians; library pages

This librarian works at a library with 200+ staff members in a suburban area in the Southern US.

Approximately how many people applied for the last librarian (or other professional level) job at your workplace?

√ 25-75

Approximately what percentage of those would you say were hirable?

√ 25% or less

And how would you define “hirable”?

Has a Masters in Library Science; has Library work experience; expresses/presents themselves well on the application.

How are applications evaluated, and by whom?

Hiring team of three upper level librarians review applications.

What is the most common reason for disqualifying an applicant without an interview?

Applicant does not have a Masters in Library Science.

Do you (or does your library) give candidates feedback about applications or interview performance?

√ No

What is the most important thing for a job hunter to do in order to improve his/her/their hirability?

Have proper education and work experience; read job description carefully and only apply to those positions that your education/work experience match.

I want to hire someone who is

Excited about contributing to the team at our library.

How many staff members are at your library/organization?

√ 200+

How many permanent, full time librarian (or other professional level) jobs has your workplace posted in the last year?

√ 5-6

How many permanent, full time para-professional (or other non-professional level) jobs has your workplace posted in the last year?

√ 3-4

Can you tell us how the number of permanent, full-time librarian positions at your workplace has changed over the past decade?

√ There are fewer positions

Have any full-time librarian positions been replaced with part-time or hourly workers over the past decade?

√ No

Have any full-time librarian positions been replaced with para-professional workers over the past decade?

√ No

Does your workplace require experience for entry-level professional positions? If so, is it an official requirement or just what happens in practice?

Experience is required but it is not an official requirement.
We generally have enough applicants to select only those that have experience.

Is librarianship a dying profession?

√ No

Why or why not?

A large percentage of the public still needs assistance finding their information needs and/or using technology. Librarianship has changed, but it is not dying.

Do you hire librarians? Take this survey: http://tinyurl.com/hiringlibjobmarketsurvey or take other Hiring Librarians surveys.

For some context, look at the most recent summary of responses.

Leave a comment

Filed under 200+ staff members, Public, Southern US, State of the Job Market 2015, Suburban area

Tagged as librarians, library careers, library hiring, library school, tumblarians

by langerholcs | August 24, 2015 · 8:00 am

Don’t expect to hear from me if you have a MLS and no experience at all in a library.

This anonymous interview is with a public 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, reference, YA, etc.

This librarian works at a library with 10-50 staff members in an urban area in the Southern US.

Approximately how many people applied for the last librarian (or other professional level) job at your workplace?

√ 25-75

Approximately what percentage of those would you say were hirable?

√ 25% or less

And how would you define “hirable”?

A minimum combination of experience and education.

How are applications evaluated, and by whom?

Committee. No weeding by HR.

What is the most common reason for disqualifying an applicant without an interview?

Lack of minimum level experience or education.

Do you (or does your library) give candidates feedback about applications or interview performance?

√ Yes

What is the most important thing for a job hunter to do in order to improve his/her/their hirability?

Must have some experience, be it internship or practicum work. Don’t expect to hear from me if you have a MLS and no experience at all in a library.

I want to hire someone who is

qualified.

How many staff members are at your library/organization?

√ 10-50

How many permanent, full time librarian (or other professional level) jobs has your workplace posted in the last year?

√ 3-4

How many permanent, full time para-professional (or other non-professional level) jobs has your workplace posted in the last year?

√ 1

Can you tell us how the number of permanent, full-time librarian positions at your workplace has changed over the past decade?

√ There are fewer positions

Have any full-time librarian positions been replaced with part-time or hourly workers over the past decade?

√ Yes

Have any full-time librarian positions been replaced with para-professional workers over the past decade?

√ I don’t know

Does your workplace require experience for entry-level professional positions? If so, is it an official requirement or just what happens in practice?

Official requirement

Is librarianship a dying profession?

√ I don’t know

Why or why not?

It’s dependent on administrators. If they are unwilling to even fight for professional positions, then yes, it is dying.

Do you hire librarians? Take this survey: http://tinyurl.com/hiringlibjobmarketsurvey or take other Hiring Librarians surveys.

For some context, look at the most recent summary of responses.

Leave a comment

Filed under 10-50 staff members, Public, Southern US, State of the Job Market 2015, Urban area

Tagged as librarians, library careers, library hiring, library school, tumblarians

by langerholcs | August 19, 2015 · 8:00 am

Tier ranking. Usually lack subject specialty.

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, acquisitions

This librarian works at a library with 10-50 staff members in a rural area in the Southern US.

Approximately how many people applied for the last librarian (or other professional level) job at your workplace?

√ 25 or fewer

Approximately what percentage of those would you say were hirable?

√ 51-75 %

And how would you define “hirable”?

Accredited degree.

How are applications evaluated, and by whom?

Search Committee. No rubrics.

What is the most common reason for disqualifying an applicant without an interview?

Tier ranking. Usually lack subject specialty.

Do you (or does your library) give candidates feedback about applications or interview performance?

√ No

What is the most important thing for a job hunter to do in order to improve his/her/their hirability?

Watch details in the resume and cover letter.

How many staff members are at your library/organization?

√ 10-50

How many permanent, full time librarian (or other professional level) jobs has your workplace posted in the last year?

√ 1

How many permanent, full time para-professional (or other non-professional level) jobs has your workplace posted in the last year?

√ 5-6

Can you tell us how the number of permanent, full-time librarian positions at your workplace has changed over the past decade?

√ There are the same number of positions

Have any full-time librarian positions been replaced with part-time or hourly workers over the past decade?

√ No

Have any full-time librarian positions been replaced with para-professional workers over the past decade?

√ No

Does your workplace require experience for entry-level professional positions? If so, is it an official requirement or just what happens in practice?

Not usually, but may happen in practice.

Is librarianship a dying profession?

√ No

Why or why not?

New entrants to the profession have the enthusiasm to build it and maintain it.

Do you hire librarians? Take this survey: http://tinyurl.com/hiringlibjobmarketsurvey or take other Hiring Librarians surveys.

For some context, look at the most recent summary of responses.

Leave a comment

Filed under 10-50 staff members, Academic, Rural area, Southern US, State of the Job Market 2015

Tagged as librarians, library careers, library hiring, library school, tumblarians

by langerholcs | August 17, 2015 · 8:00 am

Most of our hires become solo librarians at small campus libraries, so they must be or become jack of all trades.

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:

Most of our hires become solo librarians at small campus libraries, so they must be or become jack of all trades.

This librarian works at a library with 0-10 staff members in a suburban area in the Southern US.

Approximately how many people applied for the last librarian (or other professional level) job at your workplace?

√ 25 or fewer

Approximately what percentage of those would you say were hirable?

√ 25% or less

And how would you define “hirable”?

Proper credentials and experience; resume and cover letter demonstrated care taken in application process and attention to details

How are applications evaluated, and by whom?

For professional positions, HR sends me only those candidates who have an MLIS or equivalent. From there, I, as the hiring manager narrow the candidates down to 5 or 6 (sometimes more depending on the quality of the applicants) for phone interviews. After phone interviews, the final 2 or 3 are interviewed either in person or via online video conferencing with a search committee made up of HR, faculty, and other campus librarians.

What is the most common reason for disqualifying an applicant without an interview?

Experience does not support the position being hired, i.e. an elementary school librarian applying to be a graduate level health sciences academic librarian, and without justification in the cover letter of how the mismatched experience could be a positive

Do you (or does your library) give candidates feedback about applications or interview performance?

√ Other: Sometimes, when requested

What is the most important thing for a job hunter to do in order to improve his/her/their hirability?

Do not apply to any and every job opening. Instead, apply carefully (including checking and double checking resume and cover letter for errors and crafting your cover letter to match the position) to those positions that are relevant to your education and job experience. Or, if there is a bit of a disconnect between your experience and the position, or if you are switching to a new arena purposefully, explain in your cover letter how the skills transfer and how your strengths in one discipline will help you be successful in a new discipline.

I want to hire someone who is

personable

How many staff members are at your library/organization?

√ 0-10

How many permanent, full time librarian (or other professional level) jobs has your workplace posted in the last year?

√ 2

How many permanent, full time para-professional (or other non-professional level) jobs has your workplace posted in the last year?

√ 1

Can you tell us how the number of permanent, full-time librarian positions at your workplace has changed over the past decade?

√ There are more positions

Have any full-time librarian positions been replaced with part-time or hourly workers over the past decade?

√ No

Have any full-time librarian positions been replaced with para-professional workers over the past decade?

√ No

Does your workplace require experience for entry-level professional positions? If so, is it an official requirement or just what happens in practice?

Requirement for library experience, but not necessarily professional library experience. We often hire and train new librarians or those with just a few years experience.

Is librarianship a dying profession?

√ No

Why or why not?

The role is shifting from guardians/masters of the information to teachers. We are now teaching others how to navigate and use information instead of supplying that information.

Do you have any other comments, for job hunters or about the survey?

Per demographics questions – I am located in the southern US, but our institution has campuses in several states and I hire in the Western US and the Southwestern US in addition to the southern US.

Do you hire librarians? Take this survey: http://tinyurl.com/hiringlibjobmarketsurvey or take other Hiring Librarians surveys.

For some context, look at the most recent summary of responses.

Leave a comment

Filed under 0-10 staff members, Academic, Southern US, State of the Job Market 2015, Suburban area

Tagged as librarians, library careers, library hiring, library school, tumblarians

by langerholcs | August 17, 2015 · 8:00 am

ranking candidates strong, medium and weak.

This anonymous interview is with an academic librarian who has been a member of a hiring or search committee.

This librarian works at a library with 100-200 staff members in an urban area in the Southern US.

Approximately how many people applied for the last librarian (or other professional level) job at your workplace?

√ 75-100

Approximately what percentage of those would you say were hirable?

√ 26-50 %

And how would you define “hirable”?

Met the minimum requirements

How are applications evaluated, and by whom?

Evaluated by the entire search committee. Rubrics are provided for ranking candidates strong, medium and weak.

What is the most common reason for disqualifying an applicant without an interview?

Does not have MLS.

Do you (or does your library) give candidates feedback about applications or interview performance?

√ No

What is the most important thing for a job hunter to do in order to improve his/her/their hirability?

List all skills and jobs on your CF that pertain to the job you are trying to get hired for.

I want to hire someone who is

respectable

How many staff members are at your library/organization?

√ 100-200

How many permanent, full time librarian (or other professional level) jobs has your workplace posted in the last year?

√ 3-4

Can you tell us how the number of permanent, full-time librarian positions at your workplace has changed over the past decade?

√ I don’t know

Have any full-time librarian positions been replaced with part-time or hourly workers over the past decade?

√ I don’t know

Have any full-time librarian positions been replaced with para-professional workers over the past decade?

√ I don’t know

Does your workplace require experience for entry-level professional positions? If so, is it an official requirement or just what happens in practice?