12.08.07
job search, n. see: endless frustration
The false “librarian shortage” has been discussed, at length, in many forums. What surprises me is how little this dichotomy between theory–a vast pool of aging librarians retiring as we speak–and reality–very few jobs open to the new librarian with little experience–is being addressed in practice.
As I have very little relevant experience (a year spent working in the archives as an undergrad and a volunteer at my local public since October) and no masters as yet, I have tried to make up for my lack of practical knowledge about the profession through the wonders of the internet. I’ve paid my dues and joined the listservs of the ALA New Members Round Table (NMRT), my state library association, and I Love Libraries, as well as subscribed to any number of library-related blogs and discussion lists, both general and ones geared specifically towards new librarians. I’ve visited the job sites of the ALA, Library Journal, etc etc.
While they’ve all been extremely helpful in educating me about many aspects of the career, its quotidian functions, how to format my resume and what questions to ask in an interview, one thing I haven’t seen is a concerted, organized effort to make up for this gap between the “librarian shortage” tales being circulated by–library schools? the ALA? the media?–and the lack of jobs for inexperienced librarians, well-paid or otherwise. Without experience, it is difficult (impossible in some places) to find a job. Without a job, though, from whence the experience?
Volunteering obviously suggests itself. For the working person, though (and aren’t most of us?), this is automatically limiting: my public library is open only two evenings a week. I’m glad of any help I can get, but a few hours a week won’t go far towards that experience requirement in the job listings.
I am not willing to lose a day’s pay in order to volunteer, much as I need the experience and want to help my library. However, if I received some sort of experience credit that employers recognized as being comparable to a paid job, I would certainly reconsider. I realize that many library schools require their students have an internship/practicum before receiving their degrees, but even these are proving insufficient to graduates. And what options are there for those of us not currently enrolled? I know I am not the only degree-less one trying to find a job.
What would be interesting is development of local (or even regional) directors or online bulletin boards in charge of matching the student/aspiring librarian with libraries/librarians needing help… for some sort of experience credit. The NMRT has an excellent resume-review service and a mentoring program, but the mentors are only for already-hired librarians; what about a combination of the two services, mentors who inform their protegees of local public libraries in need of shelf-readers, sign-makers, Web site revampers? Academic libraries needing temporary reference librarians? Positions that last longer than the standard quarter- or semester-long internship or practicum. And in exchange the needy student or aspiring librarian gets something concretely “experience” to put on their resume.
I’ve applied for an internship at my state library, but as far as I’m aware, there are no other such opportunities within a reasonable driving distance. Perhaps I haven’t been listening long enough. Maybe, because I live in a state devoid of schools with library programs (and their attendant pools of jobless, newly minted grads), such measures aren’t believed to be necessary. Am I wrong? Are there untapped resources out there I am unaware of?
Idetrorce said,
December 15, 2007 at 5:20 pm
very interesting, but I don’t agree with you
Idetrorce
bluestockinglibrarian said,
December 16, 2007 at 1:23 pm
Does that mean there are resources out there of which I am unaware? That’s great! Could you elaborate? It’d be helpful for anyone reading this (as well as myself!) to know more.
J said,
December 17, 2007 at 3:16 pm
Would people be interested in having mentors even if you aren’t currently working in a library? And I’m not a fan of ALA, so I don’t take advantage of the mentoring program. It’d be nice if there were something not connected with ALA.
bluestockinglibrarian said,
December 17, 2007 at 8:09 pm
I think mentors would be beneficial regardless of whether the protégé was working in a library or not… it’s always good to have someone with experience you can turn to for advice (“Which classes in school would be most helpful from a practical standpoint? Most useless?” “Where do you see the profession headed? Are there certain specializations that will be particularly relevant in the coming years?”) As an undergrad, I had two professors I’d classify as mentors for grad school (for English lit), long before I had gotten to senior year and was able to apply… they advised me on what to expect curriculum-wise, initiated independent studies in literary criticism, something not focused on at my college, so I’d be prepared for lit-crit-heavy grad school, etc.
Are there many non-ALA library organizations in the US?
Colleen said,
January 4, 2008 at 9:02 am
A large part of this problem is that library schools do not make library experience a mandatory part of the curriculum. I lucked out and had a full time job in my academic library before starting my MLS, but even that was due to the fact that I had worked in my public library in high school and my college library while an undergrad. It never ceases to amaze me the number of people in MLS programs who say they want to be librarians, but have never worked behind a desk. It’s getting to the point that because of the job market, internships should really be a mandatory part of the for-credit curriculum.
As for what to do about it once you’ve already got the degree – that’s more difficult. Most of us end up taking jobs well below our paygrade to get a foot in the door. My recommendation? be audacious. Go out and find a librarian you admire, or whose style you like, and ask them to chat you up about it – turn them into your mentor!
Deborah F. said,
January 4, 2008 at 12:30 pm
I am just wondering what state you reside in. I live in Southern California and I have been struggling with the same issues which you bring up in your post. I earned my Masters degree in 2005 and worked as a temporary (contract basis) reference librarian for about a year, followed by a year as an Elementary School Librarian at a private school. I have yet to find a satisfying job that reflects my professional goals.
Since May, when I began looking for another job, I have experienced frustration with the interview process and competitive job market.. As a result, I began searching for employment in Northern California, even though that means moving away from friends and family. At times, it has been tiring. Even when an interview goes exceptionally well, I am disappointed to received a notice of non-interest. On top of everything, I am not a particularly good interviewer, so I have been working with a professional coach to polish my interviewing skills.
My advice: Get involved in your state association or local student chapter group of ALA and consider volunteering on weekends if possible. By getting involved, you’ll become better know by others in the library community and may even find out about a job opening before it’s announced. Sometimes, libraries will hire library students to be substitute reference librarians, if there’s a need. Also there’s a website called Meetup.com that links people with like interests together. Depending on where you are, there may be a librarians meetup in your city and could meet with more experienced and/or new librarians to swap ideas, get tips about interviewing.
Good luck and remember you are not alone.
J said,
January 4, 2008 at 12:36 pm
The meet-up is good. From what I hear, this is a problem that librarians are facing all around the country. There simply don’t seem to be enough jobs for everyone fresh out of library school. I can understand how frustrating this is because I know I couldn’t find a decent job initially.
bluestockinglibrarian said,
January 4, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Colleen, thanks for the suggestion! The librarian I work with when I volunteer is becoming a de facto mentor. She’s a public librarian, though, and I’d like an academic mentor as well. There’s a couple universities close by, but I’d feel silly walking in and asking if someone could mentor me. Any advice there?
Deborah: I am in Virginia. This seems to be a country-wide problem! What a great idea about meetup.com–I’d only used it years ago for the publication of Harry Potter 6, I think it was, and haven’t thought about it since. Thanks for the advice and best of luck finding your dream job!
Brian Gray said,
April 6, 2008 at 10:15 am
You asked “Are there many non-ALA library organizations in the US?”.
Yes, there are many. As a student, I would be using all to your advantage, including ALA. Professionals and organization tend to favor one or two organizations over another in terms of importance. Since you will be job hunting and do not know their priorities, I would take advantage of the student rates of several professional organizations.
ALA, SLA, ASIS&T, MLA, etc. and many other subject specific organizations.
State organizations
Friends of Library organizations
Student groups sponsored within your school
There are also many online community that have formed. For example, one I can think of off the top of my head is the Blended Librarians.
bluestockinglibrarian said,
April 10, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Thanks so much for this, Brian! I’ve already joined some of the ones you mentioned but ASIS&T and the online communities are new ones for me. I’m going to look into those!