How To Become a 21st Century Librarian (Library Journal)

By Meredith Schwartz on March 20, 2013 Leave a Comment

A version of this article by Rachel Singer Gordon was originally published June 1, 2005, under the title How To Become a Librarian. It
has been updated a number of times over the years with new information and resources, most recently by LJ News Editor Meredith
Schwartz.

Before deciding librarianship is right for you, make sure you understand what todays librarians
do all day. If you want quiet and lots of time to read, think again. Todays libraries are full of collegial,
and sometimes even downright noisy, collaboration, creation, and community activities, and are as
much about technology as print on paper.
Modern librarians need to be comfortable and conversant with technology, be willing and able to speak
in public, and possess people skills and a commitment to lifelong learning, as the profession and the
expertise necessary for success are constantly changing. (For example, this article, one of LJs most
perennially popular, has been revised three times and changed significantly in less than a decade.)

Online Resources
OPEN ACCESS EBOOK

So You Want to Be A Librarian, by Lauren Pressley

BLOGS
Agnostic Maybe
David Lee King
Free Range Librarian
Hack Library School
In the Library with the Lead Pipe
Information Wants To Be Free
Letters to a Young Librarian
Librarian in Black
Library Babel Fish
Library Hat
LISNews
Swiss Army Librarian
Tame the Web

RESOURCES
ALA-Accredited Programs
ALA Mailing List Service
ALA New Members Round Table
American Association of Law Libraries
American Association of School Librarians
Association for Rural & Small Libraries

Association of College & Research Libraries

Association of Research Libraries
College Savings Plan Network
Have you considered a career as a school librarian?
Library Grrls LiveJournal Community
Library School FAQ wiki
Library Society of the World
LISjobs scholarships
Medical Library Association
NEWLIB-L
Public Library Association
School Library Journal
School Library Media
Certification by State
Securities & Exchange Commission
Special Libraries Association
Urban Libraries Council
A good place to start is at the source: talk to working librarians in different types of libraries to find out
why they entered the profession, whether their initial perceptions match the reality of library work, and
what they doand enjoy doingin their jobs. Our impulse to share information extends to sharing
information on the profession itself. Another great resource is the book So You Want to Be A Librarian.
Recently unglued by ebook startup unglue.it which uses crowdfunding to apply Creative Commons
licenses to existing works, the ebook is available to download for free.
Because technology is so interwoven with librarianship, some of the most interesting conversations
occur online. Following the email lists, blogs, and social media feeds where librarians interact with
each other is a good place to start. A few blogs to consider are listed in the sidebar at right.
To find and sign up for email lists, visithttp://lists.ala.org/wws/lists. On Twitter, Gretchen Caserotti,
Assistant Director for Public Services at Darien, CTs public library and a 2010 LJ Mover & Shaker,
suggests following conference hashtags to find interesting folks, as well as the weekly #LibChat
discussion. Likewise, on sites like Facebook and LinkedIn, see which groups savvy voices are
contributing to, and join up. Tumblr can be a great place to see where library memes pick up speed,
and though FriendFeed in general may be a social network whose time has largely passed, it
continues to host the active Library Society of the World.

LEARNING THE LIBRARY

Most professional-level librarian positions require a masters degree in library and information science
from a program accredited by the American Library Association (ALA). These are variously referred to
as an MLS, MLIS, MSIS, MSLS, MA in LIS, or MS in LIS). For example, arecent study of academic job
postings found that 90 percent of them required an ALA-accredited MLS.
Non-MLS positions are usually paraprofessional-level and in most libraries pay less, although some
smaller or rural institutions are staffed mainly or entirely by non-MLS workers, and some of these are
one-person shows. (If you find yourself inor running!one of these institutions without the degree or
experience, consult Pam MacKellars The Accidental Librarian and Herbert Laundaus The Small
Public Library Survival Guide.) Sometimes someone works their way up through the ranks of a library
without the degree, such as Julie Hildebrand, director of Independence Public Library, KS,LJs
2012 Best Small Library winner. But despite her position of authority and national kudos, Hildebrand
still plans to go back and get her MLS.

If youre not sure whether you want to be a librarian, taking a paraprofessional position is one way to
find out before you invest a lot of money and time in the degree. As Kristen Corby, head librarian,
Periodicals, Arts & Recreation Division, New Orleans Public Library, told LJin 2009, It really seems
like the path I happened to take is the ideal onework for several years as a paraprofessional, make
sure you really like the job, learn a lot about library procedures, then go to library school and get the
big picture.

BRANCHING OUT

Its not absolutely necessary to figure out what kind of librarian you want to be before you start library
school, but knowing helps, since different career paths have different education perquisites.
The main branches of librarianship are:
School librarians (sometimes called school media specialists). Often required to have a state
teacher or media certification in addition to the MLS: Check yourstates requirements. Librarians in
private schools may not be required to be certified, but jobs are less plentiful and pay may also be
lower. More information on School Librarianship can be found via American Association of School
Librarians, Have You Considered a Career as a School Librarian? or in atLJs sister
magazine, School Library Journal.

Academic librarians range from supporting two year community colleges through major
research universities. While, according to a recent study, most academic library jobs still require an
MLS, and only an MLS, there is something of a trend toward hiring subject specialists with advanced
degrees in their subjects, instead of or in addition to a degree in library science, perhaps partially
driven by an excess of PhDs who cannot get tenured positions as teaching faculty and turn to alt-ed
career pathways. More information on academic librarianship can be found via the Association of
College & Research Libraries and the Association of Research Libraries.

Public librarians are probably most peoples default image of librarianship. But they vary
much depending on the needs and resources of the communities they serve. In addition to the Public
Library Association, which runs the whole gamut, visit the Urban Libraries Council on the one hand
and the Association for Small and Rural Libraries on the other to see the full range of experiences
available to you.

Special librarians are often all but invisible to the general public. Special libraries are found in
corporations and other specialized environments, encompassing subgroups such
as medical and lawlibrarians. Previous experience or a specialized degree will help you break into one
of these fields, making special librarianship an especially good choice for a second career. Many
special librarians/information specialists also now work with information outside the typical library
setting and have a nonlibrary job title, ranging from knowledge manager to taxonomist. Find more at
the Special Libraries Association.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT LIBRARY SCHOOL FOR YOU

ALA provides a list of accredited programs and guidelines for choosing a school. Some schools, such
as the University of Michigan, have refocused as schools of information rather than LIS schools. If you
choose to concentrate on newer information-related areas like human-computer interaction,
informatics, or social computing, or if you envision using your information skills in a nontraditional
career path, you might choose one of these programs. Those who are sure they plan to use their
information skills in an alternative field might also worry less about ALA accreditation and investigate
top-notch but non-ALA accredited schools, such as UCBerkeleys School of Information.
These days, when choosing an MLS program, one of the first questions to ask is online or off? Or a
hybrid? Many schools provide distance education options, and employers are generally accepting of

these degrees: some even explicitly appreciate the technological skills gained by graduates from
online programs. When considering online programs, important questions to ask are:
Does the program require an on-campus orientation or other in-person visit, or can it be
completed entirely online?

Are the classes synchronous, requiring all students to be online at the same time,
asynchronous, or both?

What are the technological requirements of the program?

When comparing MLS program websites and literature, the basics are:
Areas of focus. Some schools offer only a general or a school media degree; others offer
concentrations in everything from archives and records management to digital preservation.

Course listings. If possible, in addition to the general listing of courses, get hold of the actual
offerings for a couple of semesters and make sure that class that appealed to you actually runs.

Admission and graduation requirements. If you are attending library school part time while
working [in or out of a library], check how many years you have to complete the degree. Another
important question is whether there is a thesis requirement, what GPA you must have had as an
undergraduate, and whether you must take the Graduate Records Exam (GRE).

Campus life [if youre planning on attending in person].

In addition, look up the names of the professors teaching in the program and see what and where they
are publishing. If youre not sure what to make of what you find, you can always ask a librarian.
As Aaron Schmidt, principal at Influx Library User Experience Consulting, points out, another important
thing to ask about is youre your library schools placement rate (how many of its graduates find jobs).
For more unofficial information on library schools, your best source is probably online forums where
students and recent grads hang out. Questions about particular schools, their focus, their professors,
or the quality of their distance education programs come up quite often. Join discussion lists
like NEWLIB-L or the Library Grrrls community on LiveJournal. Another active community is I Need A
Library Job (INALJ); see LJs interview with founder Naomi House for more information.

PAYING FOR SCHOOL

Grad school is expensive, and while librarianship is an emotionally rewarding profession, its not
necessarily a very lucrative one. Keep costs in mind when choosing your library school. Fortunately, a
variety of help is available. ALAs Financial Assistance for Library and Information Studies, an annual
directory of awards and assistance from multiple sources, is a good place to start. You can also find
scholarship listings at the LISjobs.com scholarships page. Other resources include:
The school itself Check with the financial aid office at the school(s) where youve been
accepted, or even where youre considering applying, and ask if they offer work study, grants, and/or
scholarships.

State libraries and/or state library associations. Every state has one, and they often offer
substantial scholarships for those intending to work in public libraries in that state for a certain period
of time (generally about two years) postgraduation.

National library organizations also offer scholarships to those intending to specialize in

particular subfields of librarianship or to members of underrepresented groups. In addition to ALA, that
includes the association listed under the different types of librarianship above. For example, the Fritz
Schwartz Serials Education Scholarship offers a $3000 scholarship to a library/information science
graduate student who demonstrates excellence in scholarship and the potential for accomplishment in
a serials career, and the ALA Spectrum Scholarship annually provides up to 50 students from racial

and ethnic underrepresented groups with a $5,000 tuition scholarship and $1,500 in professional
development funds as they pursue a masters degree in library and information science.

Your employer. If you currently work in a library or at an academic institution, ask your human
resources department what type of tuition assistance, reimbursement, or breaks are available. If you
work in a corporation, see if it has a policy of providing tuition assistance for certain degrees, and be
prepared to make the case for them to fund yours. Make sure you check the fine print: your workplace
may, for example, pay for you to earn a degree on the condition that you keep a certain GPA and stay
with the institution a certain number of years postgraduation.

529 Savings Plans. Although 529 college savings plans are usually thought of as a way for
parents to pay for their childrens college education, they can be used to save for your own education
and for graduate school as well. Earnings in 529 plans are not subject to federal tax, or, in most cases,
state tax. Each state offers its own plan. For more information, visit the SEC website or the College
Savings Plan Network.

MAKING THE MOST OF LIBRARY SCHOOL

The two keys to making yourself marketable postgraduation are getting professionally involved, and
gaining library experience.
Start by seeing if your school facilitates internships or offers a practicum experience. As Corby said,
Newbie MLSs who come into a job with no real knowledge of actual library work take a long time to
train and, in my experience, are often surprised and disillusioned about the reality of the work versus
the coursework in library school.
There are internships, as well as scholarships, targeted at underrepresented groups as well as
particular specialties. For example, as Toni Samek, Professor at the School of Library and Information
Studies, University of Alberta, and LJs 2007 Teaching Award winner points out, the Association of
Research Libraries Career Enhancement Program includes an internship at an ARL member library.
Another new option for getting real-world experience while in school are courses that include
community engagement in the class itself. Martin B. Wolske, Senior Research Scientist at the
University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign Graduate School of Library and Information Sciences
Center for Digital Inclusion and LJs 2011 Teaching Award winner, told LJ, Students continually
comment on how valuable the projects done with community that are incorporated into my classes
have been as they go out into the field.
Whether your school provides such opportunities or not, approach a local library and ask whether you
can work or volunteer while attending school. Volunteering doesnt have to mean shelving books:
libraries are often open to programming presented by third parties. You could offer to teach
introductory computer workshops, for example.
To get professionally involved as a student, join a professional association or two. ALA offers reduced
rates for students, as do many state and local organizations (which are often more affordable in
general). As Lisa Grimm, former assistant archivist, Drexel University College of Medicine Archives &
Special Collections, PA, and now Operations Manager at Elsevier, suggests, Its a small field, and
keeping yourself in circulation is always useful. Someone who interviewed you and liked you but gave
a job to someone else may be able to introduce you to someone else who is about to post your perfect
position.
Get involved in your schools student chapter, and look into joining groups like NMRT, ALAs round
table for students and new professionals. NMRT focuses on those who have been ALA members less
than ten years. Among its offerings: a rsum review service, conference orientations and socials, and
guaranteed committee appointments.

Brian C. Gray, head of reference and engineering librarian, Case Western Reserve University,
Cleveland, explains, I started locally first by submitting content to my library schools discussion list
and volunteering as an officer for the SLA Student Group at my school. While in school, my Student
Group involvement and name recognition from the list participation snowballed into working with the
Cleveland SLA Chapter, receiving an SLA scholarship, and being selected to an SLA committee at its
annual meeting.
Wolske also advises that students look for opportunities to participate in ongoing research. Grant
writing and outcome-based evaluations of programs are becoming common requirements to fund new
initiatives at libraries, and participating in research while in the program can provide an important edge
after graduation, he explained.
And while the MLS is all that most jobs require, its not the end of available library education. Postmasters certificate programs in various specialties can help differentiate you from other entry level
applicants, or help mid-career librarians brush up on new developments and qualify to switch fields or
apply for a promotion.

FINDING A JOB
Many new entrants to the library job market are frustrated by a lack of entry-level positions, particularly
in desirable geographic locations (and at a desirable wage). It caused a big, angry buzz in the library
world when Forbes selected the MLS as the worst masters degree for jobs, but they had their
reasons. The economic downturn had the same effect on libraries as everything elseas
governments found themselves collecting fewer tax dollars, public and school libraries have seen
cutbacks even as the fraying social safety net has sent more patrons to the library looking for help
applying for jobs and/or unemployment benefits.

AN OVERLOOKED OPPORTUNITY: WORKING FOR VENDORS

MANY WOULD-BE LIBRARIANS, as they make their way through library school, are not necessarily
thinking about employment opportunities offered by library vendors. And yet a good number of people
bearing MLS degrees and with library experience end up working for companies like EBSCO
Publishing, ProQuest, Innovative Interfaces (III), and others. These librarians feel that more aspirants
in the library field need to take advantage of this career path.
Eve-Marie Miller, director of collection development for EBSCO Publishing, came to the company
three years ago as part of the NetLibrary transition. Miller teaches a class on ebooks in libraries at
Simmons College in Boston; she formerly was an academic librarian at the University of Washington.
EBSCO was particularly interested in having Miller help with the integration of products the company
acquired when it purchased the H.W. Wilson Co. in 2011. Miller has a team of four librarians who have
been charged with continuing and enhancing the comprehensive collection development guides called
Core Collections that Wilson started in 1918.
EBSCO asked me specifically: youre a librarian, you know collection development, we know this is a
product line thats very well esteemed but needs some updating, Miller says. So they asked me to
come and do that.
Miller says that her students at Simmons are often surprised to find out how many librarians work just
at EBSCO Publishing (about 75), which is a division of EBSCO Information Services.
I know there are librarians here from several different departments who are called upon, and some
even feel personally duty-bound to speak up and help concretely represent what vendors can do to
serve the library community better, Miller says. I like to call it internal advocacy from a librarians
point-of-view.
According to LJs Placements and Salaries Survey (LJ 10/15/12, p. 1825), there were only 18 vendor
placements in 2012, a number dwarfed by the 430 public library placements and the 471 academic

library placements, but a number that holds up against the 49 placements in archives or the 34 in
government libraries.
Salary-wise, the vendor jobs averaged $41,500 compared to $43,544 at academic libraries and
$37,399 at public libraries.
Amanda Schukle started at III in October 2012 after working at San Diego County Library and then
San Mateo County Library, CA, for the previous 12 years.
Schukle had been an III customer since 2004, and she had spent much of her career managing
collection development departments and figuring out ways to use data to make decisions.
I was excited to hear that Innovative was developing Decision Center, a new collection management
application, Schukle says.
In 2012, Schukle met with IIIs Decision Center development team several times in order to provide
feedback.
After our last meeting over the summer, they called to say, Youre already telling us what to do, so
why dont you come work here and tell us what to do, and invited me to apply as product manager for
Decision Center, Schukle says.
I have always worked toward using data to create patron-driven collections and to make collection
management processes as efficient
as possible, so it seemed like a natural fit for me
to do that work on a larger scale, she says.
Schukle says the best way for librarians to create new career opportunities is to talk to vendor
contacts. And even though software has its own culture that is different from library culture, Schukle
says she still feels she is practicing librarianship.
Yes, absolutely. What Im doing at Innovative can be summed up like this:
Im building this awesome thing that will help my friends do their jobs and serve their communities,
Schukle says. Its a natural continuation of the work I have been doing for years.
Aron Wolf, a librarian who works as a data program analyst for Serials Solutions, a unit of ProQuest
employing 137 librarians, says that straight out of library school working for a vendor is not really
on the radar of the average student. Having a definite career trajectory in mind, Wolf says, could limit
the scope of experiences students seek out.
I looked at it myself primarily because I was interested in working in metadata, and the trend in the
library sphere is definitely moving toward outsourcing metadata production from libraries to vendors,
Wolf says.
Wolfs colleague, Ben Johnson, a lead metadata librarian, says a lot of librarians may discount or
stigmatize working for a vendor because it may smack of salesmanship and not seem like real
librarianship simply because you dont work in a building that says LIBRARY
on the side.
However, as a metadata guy, I work with bibliographic metadata that powers our products for
thousands of libraries,
that countless library patrons use for learning and researchand maybe even
a little fun, Johnson says. I feel like
I have a lot more capacity for furthering library missions through improving library data across many
libraries than I would
if I were just working at one.
Everyone says there is a growing awareness and interest among library students in vendor work,
which all clearly feel is rewarding.

Im proud to consider myself a

21st-century librarian and feel it is a true honor to represent the profession and our work within
EBSCO Publishing, Miller says.Michael Kelley
However, there are recent signs of recovery.LJs Placements & Salaries Survey 2012 saw a solid five
percent increase in starting salaries and more full time jobs compared to temporary or part-time ones.
Many library ballot questions passed in the November 2012 elections, LJs 2013 budget surveyfound
modest gains, and were even starting to see libraries such as Houston, TX, which previously had to
cut staff and hours hiring them back. Caserotti told LJ, I find there are many more job postings than
even a year ago! She should knowbetween when she spoke to LJ and when this article was
published, she accepted a new position as Director at Meridian Library District in Idaho.

FLEXIBILITY PAYS OFF

One key to finding a position is flexibility. Geographic flexibility is, of course, not always possible for
people with family or other commitments, but those who can move and are willing to start out in
smaller, less-well-paying, rural, or less popular locations will have a leg up in the job hunt. In particular,
regions with one or more library schools tend to have large numbers of applicants for most entry-level
positions.
Valerie J. Doyle, former director, Pontiac Public Library, IL, said, There is no lack of entry-level jobs.
There is a definite lack of people willing to take them and pay their dues. I recently hired a youth
services librarian. Great entry-level job for a new grad and many applied. When it came down to it,
though, they were not willing to drive a few hours for an interview [or] accept a salary that was low but
a decent wage for where the job was. Be willing to move. You can find that perfect job where you
want it after a couple of years; better than working for McDonalds while waiting.
Beyond geography, other kinds of flexibility can help as well. Neely Tang, Senior Assistant Librarian,
Management Library, Cornell University Library, Ithaca, NY, wanted academic library work but ended
up accepting a business research position for a law firm, saying that, in the end, the skills I learned at
school prepared me to be effective at my job in just a few short months. That job helped me land my
current position in public services at an academic institution.
And sometimes, that less-than-perfect job turns your career in an unexpected but welcome direction.
As Samantha Cordaro McCoy, local history librarian, Franklin Lakes Public Library, NJ, puts it, I had
my heart set on working as an art librarian after graduation but found that the public library job I took
ended up being my ideal job!
And of course, those who are willing to compromise on salary will have more positions to choose from
as well, though that must be balanced against the knowledge that those who initially accept lowerpaying jobs may remain disadvantaged later in life as a Raises and bonuses typically are given as a
percentage of salary, so what starts out as a small difference can be compounded over a long
professional career. A 2010 studyconducted by George Mason and Temple Universities across all
industries estimated that a difference of $5,000 early in your career can end up costing you as much
as $600,000 over 40 years of employment.Library Journals annual Placements & Salaries survey
benchmarks salaries in various jobs for new librarians, so you have a basis for comparison.

LOOK HERE
Start your online job hunt is at national sites such as LISjobs.com, ALAs JobLIST, I Need A Library
Job (INALJ), and LJs own JobZone. Academic library jobs are often listed in The Chronicle of Higher
Education and on Inside Higher Ed.
For jobs near you, state libraries and/or associations, nearby library schools, and local library systems
often list jobs: find resources near you. Those interested in specific types of librarianship should check
the specialized job banks hosted by the national association for that subfield of librarianship. Of both

geographic and field-specific sites, Rick Block, Metadata Librarian at Seattle University and LJs 2008
Teaching Award winner, says, I often see jobs posted here that dont make it to the big sites.
Also be sure to joinand participate onone or more email discussion lists in your subject interest
and/or geographical area. Employers often post positions to targeted lists to attract a specific type of
candidate. And if employers know you from your online conversations, this can in itself give you an
advantage when applying.
Twitter is also an emerging source for job leads: you can follow @needalibraryjob,
@LibInfoSciJobs, @libgig_jobs,@ALA_JobLIST,@LibraryPosition,@tmj_usa_library, and similar
accounts. And dont neglect job boards that arent library specific, such as Monster, Indeed, and
LinkedIn.

BUILDING YOUR NETWORK

The best way to connect with open positions is to build a network of colleagues who look out for your
best interests. You want them to know you are job hunting and drop your name when someone
mentions a pertinent opportunity, give you good references and forward possibilities to you. Not all
jobs are actually postedmany are filled through word of mouth. But remember, you have a mutual
responsibility to help others. A successful network flows both ways.
Membership in library associations and attendance at workshops or conferences is one of the best
ways to building your personal networkand demonstrate your professional commitment to potential
employers. Brian C. Gray, head of reference and engineering librarian, Case Western Reserve
University, Cleveland, says of his job hunt, I think my key to success was showing a commitment to
the profession, beyond just getting a piece of paper that said MLIS. I was already involved in several
professional associations, attended workshops outside my library school, participated in professional
lists, and remained focused on my desire to work with scientific information. Conferences also often
offer placement centers; you can register to get your information in front of employers and get some
practice interviewing at these events.
Those you interact with virtually are as likely to provide useful contacts as those you meet in person.
Join one or more email lists in your area of interest; participate in forums; jump into the conversation if
you have useful information to impart or can help answer a colleagues question.
Robin Bradford, Collection Development Librarian at the Indianapolis Public Library, says, It is much
easier to do now, especially for people who are initially shy, with the Internet. You can build
relationships with people via Twitter and then when you meet in person, its like you have known them
for some time. Less awkward, and more connections. Also, you can work on projects together. Always
remember, however, that the library community can be very small. Online flame wars, bad conference
behavior, and generally being a jerk can (and will) haunt you forever.
As Gray explains, Maximize your visibility while minimizing your chances of rejection due to others
possible bias. For example, post on lists/forums, have a webpage or other web presence, but avoid
statements that can be misjudged. Remove the drinking photos, Google your own name, etc.
In addition to following others blogs, Bradford recommends creating your own blog about your area(s)
of interest. The more you write and research, she says, the more intelligently you can speak about
these things in an interview.

THE APPLICATION
There is a ton of information available in print and online about how to craft an effective resume and
cover letter, and make a good impression at an interview. Librarianship is no exception: seek that
information out and take it to heart.
In particular, do your research on the institution youre seeking to join: Visit the building (if its
accessible) and its website, look at its collections, find out what programs and services it offers. Then,

craft your message, both in the cover letter and in the questions and answers you give at the interview,
to show how you are a good fit for it, specifically.
As Jenica P. Rogers, director of libraries at the State University of New York at Potsdam and
a 2009 LJMover & Shaker, explains, My biggest piece of advice to new job seekers would be to
always tailor your cover letter to the position description in the ad. Nothing causes a hiring committee
to lose interest faster than a generic cover letter that just lists a candidates work experience. Use the
cover letter to tell the committee why you are the perfect fit for this job, not just a job. Rogers also
offers questions to ask your interviewers.
One great resource for cover letter inspiration is Open Cover Letters, which posts real cover letters of
successful library job applicants (with the identifying information redacted). And for interview prep,
Hiring Librarians debuted a similar resource, a spreadsheet of interview questions asked in real library
job interviews.
You can even tailor your references to the position by keeping in touch with the people youve asked to
be references, providing them with up-to-date CVs and wording of the job ads youve applied to,
Samek suggests.
Consider setting up an online portfolio, where you can keep an ongoing record of your
accomplishments and point employers to examples of your work. The Library Career People provide
tips on how to do sohere. If asked about a skill you dont yet possess, be honest yet enthusiastic.
Colleen S. Harris, Head of Access Services at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Lupton
Library in Chattanooga, TN, suggests that if you dont know something, say that. Dont attempt to
make things up (you look foolish). Say something to the effect of I havent had the opportunity to X,
but Im a fast learner, have done (similar thing if applicable), and look forward to expanding my skill
set.
A couple of points specific to academic librarianship: for academic jobs you use a Curriculum Vitae
rather than a resume. Academic interviews, also, can be long processes involving meals, tours, and
presentations; remember to remain on and professional during these activities, not just the actual
interview. Try to locate information on the publications and activities of search committee members
and bring these up during the interview if you can do so naturally.
Dont forget to highlight transferable skills from non-library experience. Have you worked in a
bookstore? In a customer service position? Supervised others? Managed a project? Written a grant?
Think broadly about all of your applicable experience.
Tasha Squires, former young adult librarian, Fountaindale Public Library, Bolingbrook, IL, says: My
previous work with teens really helped sell me. As librarians, so much of what we do is work with
people. If you can show how past work experiences put you into contact with people and what tactics
you used for problem-solving, interviewers will realize how adaptable you are.

TONS OF TITLES
In large part due to the influence of technology, the number and type of jobs in libraries is
rapidlyproliferating. In the academic field alone, a recent study found 30 titles listed in job ads,
compared to 22 in 1996 and only 12 in 1988. Job functions such as digital humanities specialist,
scholarly communications specialist, or data curator might not have existed a few years ago. This list
of real job titles for librarians and information professionals will give you an idea of the breadth of
positions out there.

FREE-RANGING LIBRARIANS
Increasingly, librarians are found working outside any kind of library, yet bringing the skills, ethics, and
connection to the greater field of librarianship to bear in roles such as knowledge management, data

mining, or competitive intelligence. be flexible in the type of institution youll work for. Libraries arent
the only organizations that hire librarians, says Block.
Vendors who sell to libraries, for instance, often seek people with library training and/or experience.
But increasingly, librarians are being hired by institutions that dont seem directly connected to the
library world at all, such as user experience, information architecture/systems, data management, and
metadata positions. Says Michael Stephens, Assistant Professor at the School of Library and
Information Science, San Jose State University, CA, SJSU SLIS has placed graduates at NASA
facilities, museums and other out of the ordinary locations.
As the role of the embedded librarian continues to develop, says Wolske, collaborations between
librarians and other professionals, such as health workers, are yielding new benefits. He continued,
As the locations where MLIS students are placed expands, we see more students who come to
graduate school not to change their career, but to develop an information specialization to support
their existing career.
Some librarians choose to strike out on their own as independent information professionals and run
research, indexing, records management, database, training, or other information-related businesses,
though this is a move best made by those with some years of experience as a librarian; it takes time to
build up the skills and contacts necessary. Find more at the Association of Independent Information
Professionals.
Rachel Singer Gordon is webmaster, LISjobs.com and author of Whats the Alternative? Career
Options for Librarians and Info Pros. Meredith Schwartz is News Editor of LJ. In addition to those
quoted in the article, LJ would like to thank Steven Bell, Barbara Fister, and Jessamyn C. West for
their input on updating this piece.