[Publib] Career Help

Tue Oct 21 14:05:18 EDT 2008

I'm not sure where you are or if you want to relocate but here are a few job titles I copy & pasted from ALA joblist that you may be qualified for & that your LIS experience may be a plus..
Assistant Librarian/Coordinator of Electronic Resources
Electronic and Continuing Resources Librarian
Electronic Resources/Systems Librarian
Technical Librarian / E-Resources Librarian

This is a link from the Federal job bank:
Librarian (Systems)	

SALARY RANGE: 39,407.00 - 89,217.00 USD per year	 OPEN PERIOD: Wednesday, October 15, 2008
to Tuesday, November 04, 2008	
SERIES & GRADE: YA-1410-2/2	 POSITION INFORMATION: - This is a Permanent position. -- Full Time	
	DUTY LOCATIONS:   1 vacancy - KS - Leavenworth 	
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:   US Citizens	
http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=76687595 <http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=76687595&brd=3876&AVSDM=2008%2D10%2D15+11%3A33%3A02&sort=rv&vw=d&q=librarian&Logo=0&ss=0&customapplicant=15513%2C15514%2C15515%2C15669%2C15523%2C15512%2C15516%2C45575&TabNum=1&rc=3> &brd=3876&AVSDM=2008%2D10%2D15+11%3A33%3A02&sort=rv&vw=d&q=librarian&Logo=0&ss=0&customapplicant=15513%2C15514%2C15515%2C15669%2C15523%2C15512%2C15516%2C45575&TabNum=1&rc=3  

Remember, all experience is good experience, even if it was bad you should have learned valuable lessons from it. The fact that you have been continually employed in any type of library position is certainly better on your resume than the night shift at Burger King! There was a really good article in American Libraries about applying for jobs & the importance of cover letters. Find & read that! 

Best of luck
Cindy Rosser
Reference Librarian 
Waco-McLennan County Library 
1717 Austin Avenue 
Waco, TX  76701 
254-750-5957 
cynthiar at ci.waco.tx.us 

 -----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]On Behalf Of Marita C. Masuch
Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 11:47 AM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] Career Help

To the Collective Wisdom:

I am seeking advice, suggestions, and anything else that you may want to provide in regards to the following questions. 

First, a little background info: I graduated in 2005 with my MLIS and worked for about a year part-time in a library and part-time with my current employer (a library consortium).  Unfortunately, even though my title was "reference librarian" at the library the position was more like a glorified clerk (no offense to any clerks, they work hard!) and I did not gain much experience with reference or any other aspect of librarianship.  The position was never meant to turn to full-time work (which I knew) but I still thought it would be a good learning opportunity (since my leaving they have eliminated the position all together).  However, perhaps because they knew I was looking for full-time work and saw me as temporary, despite my efforts I was not given true librarian responsibilities.  At my current employer I provide mostly help desk support for the ILS system for our member libraries.  The position turned full-time approximately a 1.5 years ago and initially seemed like I would be given more responsibilities and could create a position for myself which is why I decided to take the position.  Unfortunately, I have little to no contact with daily library duties and due to other company constraints I have not evolved much beyond help desk duties.  One thing I have been able to do is train library staff on our ILS system and other areas of computers (I do both refresher training and new staff training).  I have also been able to start holding circulation and ILL meetings with our member libraries on a bi-annual basis.  

Now the questions: I want to move back into a library setting but I am not sure if I am still marketable?  Have I moved too far out of the realm of librarianship to be considered a good candidate for a position?  Are there career counselors that can help with determining a better way to market myself?  

I have gone on a few interviews and I am trying to find out a better way to market myself during the interview process.  I am lacking experience in many areas, I realize that, but I think that is unfortunately translating into a lack of self-confidence as well at this point.  I know I can learn what I need, and fairly quickly, but I am not sure how to get a potential employer to give me that chance.  I hope this all makes sense!  TIA for any and all help!

~~M

~~~~~~~~~~~

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

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