[Publib] Library Job Hunting Help

[James Casey]

As one who hunted for jobs in the crowded market of the mid-late 1970s
and met with more frustration than I care to admit, I can advise that
you need to be persistent, lucky (at the right place at the right time),
try to find people you know who might be willing to put in a good word,
and most importantly, be willing to relocate.  Many jobs in the Library
field "go begging" because of remote location and the perception of
"middle of nowhere".  One Library Director who took pity on my searches
advised that I find a small public library looking for a director ---
using the State Library of Ohio as a resource (I lived in Ohio at the
time) and apply for the job.  He reasoned that even a few years in such
a job could provide comprehensive experience of running a library
(everything from cataloging, children's services and reference to
building maintenance, budgeting, public relations and local politics
(sometimes at the County level).  

It may seem odd, but when I lived in Cleveland and Columbus and worked
in larger, more sophisticated library settings, I was largely unknown
and outside of a narrow field of professionals.  However, after I became
the director of a small public library (8,000 square feet) in
Circleville, I suddenly came to know state representatives and senators
on a first name basis, a congressman who became U.S. Senator (DeWine)
met with constituents in our Library, and better known than ever before
in the state library association.  Instead of being department head or
librarian far down the totem pole in a bigger institution, I was at the
top of a miniature totem pole and treated as an equal by library
directors from major systems.  

Of the five library jobs I have had since 1973, I had to relocate in
four cases.  Yes, I would say that you should not hesitate to apply for
jobs even if you may be shy in some areas of qualification.  Some
libraries may be desperate and unable to find an MLS willing to relocate
to their area or to work for a modest (sometimes pitiful) salary --
where the cost of living may be equally modest and the cultural
amenities virtually zip (unless you like to go to church).  Such a job
could, however, provide a major boost to your chances of having some
bigger opportunities later on.  

James B. Casey --- My own views
Director of Oak Lawn Public Library
Member of ALA Council



-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Carol Jackson
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2006 10:18 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] Library Job Hunting Help

I've read with interest all of the great stories about why you all
became 
librarians.  And now, as a (fairly) recent library school grad, I'm
pretty 
interested in the stories that showed just how you got your positions in
the 
field.  As I increase my job search to include libraries outside of the 
public library sector, I have a question I'm hoping may be answered on
this 
list.  Forgive me if it seems a stupid question--it's one I've been 
wrestling with during my job hunt.

Should you apply for jobs for which you may not meet all of the 
qualifications?  For example, I've worked at a public library part-time
for 
a few years, and if you add up all of my hours to translate into
full-time 
work, it may take years until I reach three full years of public library

experience.  And if there are other qualifications that you don't
exactly 
meet, should you apply anyway and assume that if they require that 
qualification, they'll simply discard your application?

I ask because I hate to waste the time of busy librarians, but I hate to
be 
rejecting jobs I find very interesting because I may not meet all 
qualifications.

Thanks for any insight you can offer on this!

Carol Jackson
Part-time Librarian
St. Paul, MN


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