01.04.08
Penny for your thoughts?
It’s late and I can’t remember the listserv I read this on (NEWLIB? REFLIB? NEXGENLIB?) , but in any case it has been mentioned somewhere that job applicants with public library experience are at a disadvantage when applying for academic library positions.
Now I wonder: does this mean the person who hopes to work in an academic library (me!) shouldn’t apply for public library positions in the meantime to gain experience? Is public library experience really worse than no experience at all? Why is working in a public library considered a disadvantage in the first place? Am I missing something?
Please tell me what you think!
Patricia Thompson said,
January 5, 2008 at 8:06 am
Since you asked… here’s what I think. I think a hiring committee or manager who would consider public library experience to be a disadvantage over NO experience would be extremely misguided and shortsighted. The key for me would be to see how the candidate frames the experience and describes it and is able to apply it to the job description of the job they are applying for. I would expect the candidate to address the issue in the letter of application, explaining why they want to be in the academic environment and how the skills they have gained will translate. If the academic position is very scholarly, and has a great deal of faculty interaction, then evidence of continued scholarly activity and/or subject knowledge would be important. But some skills are just skills. Knowing how to search databases, create user guides, supervise staff, troubleshoot computers, build web sites, catalog books, negotiate licenses with vendors, or whatever– are valuable in any setting.
I think too that most of the discussions lump all academic institutions together in terms of how they hire or what they are looking for. Hiring practices differ greatly between ARL libraries or large schools vs. small schools, especially private colleges. A small private college has much more flexibility in the criteria they use for staffing. At my institution, for example, we have three people in librarian positions that do not have their MLS. Granted, two of them are working on it, and the other has a doctorate in his subject and a great deal of library experience. A small college can offer a great deal of opportunity for new librarians, both for those who enjoy the setting and want to stay, and for those who wish to use it as a stepping-stone to a more “pretigious” or specialized position. Even a college that is strapped for funds and is not at the top of any list has faculty who love to teach and students who want to learn, and developing services to them is rewarding and enriching.
bluestockinglibrarian said,
January 5, 2008 at 8:23 am
That calms my fears a bit (the university here I really want to work at eventually is fairly small). Thanks for the perspective, Patricia!
Colleen Harris said,
January 5, 2008 at 8:35 am
This is a discussion on LIBREF-L, I believe. I don’t believe I know a single librarian in academia who would say that public library experience is worse than no experience at all. No experience will leave you dead in the water. Especially if you can garner a public library position where you can develop skills that will translate: working the reference desk, developing programming, teaching workshops on the different databases you may have access to – you would be well equipped to say you have good experience. I agree with Pat, above – it’s all in how you frame it.
Now, the issue you will run up against is that most job descriptions for new academic librarians claim that they want/prefer you to have 2-3 years experience in an academic library. In some places, you really won’t be able to get away from this, and you’ll have to demonstrate what you’ve done that was academic-library-ish in quality, or figure out how to get some time in one on the side to demonstrate you really are serious about your commitment to go academic from your public spot.
Definitely be aware of the differences between small and large institutions, as Pat describes, above, not only with what they’re willing to accept as qualifications, but also the benefits, salary, how much you’ll be interacting with the students, and the general quality of the student and faculty bodies. Pat again hits the nail on the head when she says you’ll need to address WHY you want to be in academia. DO be sure you do – have worked in the public librarie sof New York, and then in academic libraries in the South for the past 5 years, there is a world of difference between the two.
bluestockinglibrarian said,
January 5, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Thanks, Colleen! Out of curiosity, what would you say the main differences between public and academic libraries are?
Gerrit said,
January 5, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Here’s what I have heard on this: if you have no MLS but public library experience you will be passed up by an applicant who has an MLS but no experience at all.
Get the MLS and no problems at all. Relying on public library experience without the degree could close doors–at least at larger institutions; like Pat said, smaller institutions may have more opportunities. Academic libraries, particularly those who offer tenure-track positions, want to see that you are committed to the profession, like Colleen mentioned.
bluestockinglibrarian said,
January 6, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Good to know! I am not applying to grad school till next fall, so won’t have my degree till spring ‘11 at the earliest. In the meantime I’m trying to get what experience I can; so far, that’s been through public libraries. Hence my concern!
J said,
January 8, 2008 at 2:58 pm
In many places, there isn’t a great deal of difference between reference in public and academic libraries, unless you are at a large research university. In terms of other areas, I can’t imagine that there is such a huge difference that you would be completely lost. After all, most of us are using automated systems for catalogs, check-out, ILL, etc. and there aren’t that many options out there. Public libraries may have smaller budgets, but again, you can’t make a sweeping generalization in this regard. As to scholarly activities, there may not be as much activity in public libraries, but there are many public librarians who are writing, researching, and being innovators, so again, no generalizations here.
I think if you are a slug who only does the bare minimum regardless of where you are, no one is going to look twice at you. However, if you are active and engaged in the field, you increase your chances and choices. Of course, this is within the context of a limited number of jobs and a huge applicant pool.
Melanie said,
March 6, 2008 at 11:52 am
My understanding is that what part of the country you are in makes a huge difference. Here in the Cincinnati area there is a glut of librarians (not a pretty image, sorry) and so folks with experience and an MLS cannot find a job. Library experience does count for more than the MLS in this part of the world especially if you’re trying to get your foot in the door. Even entry-level jobs are being filled with candidates who have years of library experience. So I say, “Go for the experience.”
Al said,
March 14, 2008 at 10:23 am
I agree any library experience is better than none. But the key is translating that experience. In your resume and the interview. It is good to refer to past experiences when trying to elaborate on a point in the interview. Just make sure those experiences translate into something usefull in the academic library world. I know others have said this and I think it is extremely important.
Also since you are going to library school soon, there will probably be a course to help you get familiar with the different types of libraries and how each is unique. There is sometimes a course focusing on one type of library. This of course depends on the program you are interested in.
While your in school volunteer experience is good too. Or try to get a GA position in the university library. All these things count. People try to say they don’t have time b/c they are trying to keep up with their course work. Well that stuff is just as important, because that gives a lot of weight when you get to an interview. Once you have your degree and meet that requirement then good. These extra things give you more to talk about in an interview. More skills to draw on.