[Publib] "entry level" positions

[Lynne Ingersoll]

And when I graduated (January 1993) I must have sent resumes to 100+
libraries all over, emphasizing my willingness, nay my real desire, to
relocate, with nary a reply.  I found the lack of response to my letters of
interest to be reprehensible and now, when I receive resumes, even
unsolicited ones, I always reply.  There is little worse than sending your
hopes and dreams out into the library ether and getting back nothing at all.
(I especially wanted that job in Wyoming, but they didn't respond either.
Maybe they thought someone in Chicago couldn't possibly want to move 'way
out west'.)  After 4 months I did secure a full time position only 30 miles
away and eventually did relocate - to here, where I've been ever since.  

 

Lynne S. Ingersoll

Lynne S. Ingersoll

Reference Services Manager

Technical Services Manager

Blue Island Public Library

2433 York Street

Blue Island, IL 60406

(708) 388-1078 x21

(708) 388-9301 Fax

 

-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Sharon Foster
Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 11:56 AM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] "entry level" positions

 

I started the program in January 2006, and I think my class was

painted a realistic picture of the job market at that time. We were

told that the more willing we were to move, the more likely we would

find a full-time job after graduation. The more tied we were to our

current location, the harder it was going to be to find a job. I was

lucky. I only had to pick up and move 200 miles for my first FT job,

still within driving distance of home. Some of my classmates are still

looking, a year or more after graduating. Anyone who was already

working in a library, is still, as far as I know.

 

I've been studiously reading the job postings nationally for the last

4 years, and the only real entry-level jobs I see in public libraries

are for children/youth/teen librarians. I define "entry-level" as

being a job that one can qualify for with only the MLS and some (but

not necessarily a lot of) previous work experience. "Director," even

of a small library, is not an entry level job in my definition,

although that might have been true at one time, and may still be true

in some locations.

 

The public library scene is changing dramatically, and in ways that

have nothing to do with the current economic crisis. Small towns are

getting hip to the fact that they don't really need more than one

degree'd librarian (if that) to supervise a staff of 9 FTEs, none of

whom are "department heads," because there are no departments except

children/youth.

 

Sharon M. Foster, JD, MLS

Technology Librarian

http://firstgentrekkie.blogspot.com/

"Have you tried switching it off and on again?"

 

 

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