Contents:

1. Library job search sites
2. LIBJOBS
3. Resumes
4. PUBLIB summary of responses to "need advice on public library interview"
5. Applying for an academic library job (from NMRT-L)
6. Actual Job Interview Behavior
7. The Back Door Guide to Short Term Job Adventures
8. Jobs you can live with
9. ACCESS (nonprofit jobs)
10. Escape Artist Home Page: Overseas Jobs

Library job search sites

• The Librarians Job Search Source, by Rachel Singer Gordon - A Good starting point
  http://www.lisjobs.com/
• Library Job Postings on the Internet - A compilation of Resources by Sarah Nesbeitt - Very nice, arranged both geographically and by type of job
  http://webhost.bridgew.edu/snesbeitt/libraryjobs.htm
• The University of Michigan SI Job Finder - Organized by academic, public and special library categories http://intel.si.umich.edu/cfdocs/si/jobs/postings/
• Telesec Corestaff - Search under Library Staffing. Many CUA students and grads have gotten starts here or through a Telesec Representative, who offers resume workshops and such during the school year.
  http://www.corestaff.com
• Joe Ryan's Collection
  http://web.syr.edu/~jryan/infopro/jobs.html
• The Networked Librarian - Job Search Guide - Employment Resources for Librarians
  http://pw2.netcom.com/~feridun/collect.htm
• Ann's Place - Other Job Information
  http://tigger.cc.uic.edu/~aerobin/libjob/jobinfo.html
• LIS Employment Websites and listservs (University of Illinios Urbana-Champaign)
  http://alexia.lis.uiuc.edu/gslis/people/students/jobs.html#head
• ALA Library Education and Employment Menu Page (look at the Other Resources section)
  http://www.ala.org/education/
• Index of library job sources - Job ads from libraries, library organizations, and other sources such as job agencies are included - Public, academic, commercial libraries
  http://librarians.about.com/blwherejobs.htm
• Jobs in Higher Education - highly regarded web site has been in continual operation for nearly four years. It has links to over 1,300 human resources departments at colleges and universities in the US, Australia, Canada, and the UK. In addition, there are links to dozens of faculty and staff employment resources maintained by professional associations
  http://www.academic360.com

LIBJOBS

Since 1995, LIBJOBS has been the primary career opportunities mailing list for LIS professionals. About 150-200 postings are sent each month. LIBJOBS is a moderated list and subscribers receive only posted job opportunities. There are no charges for advertising or subscribing to this list. LIBJOBS is a service offering of the International Federation of Library Associations. Membership information can be found at www.ifla.org

TO SUBSCRIBE TO LIBJOBS AND RECEIVE JOB POSTINGS:
Send the message "subscribe LIBJOBS your name" to listserv@infoserv.nlc-bnc.ca
TO UNSUBSCRIBE FROM LIBJOBS:
Send the message "SIGNOFF LIBJOBS" to listserv@infoserv.nlc-bnc.ca

Resumes

• Writing Resumes That Work: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians by Robert R. Newlen, New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, 1998, ISBN 1-55570-263-5. Amazon.com sells it for $27.95.
• The Resume - A recent feature about the components of a librarian's resume, with a bit of consideration for the vitae. Model resume included.
  http://librarians.about.com/library/weekly/aa021300.htm
• http://tigger.cc.uic.edu/~aerobin/libjob/jobinfo.html
• http://www.eresumes.com/
• The University of Michigan has student resumes posted at http://www.si.umich.edu/careers/si-resumes.htm

Advice on a public library interview

1. Read recent newspaper articles about the library
2. Review best-selling fiction books and Oprahs book club list
3. Observe at an actual public library reference desk
4. Mention your exposure to a variety of different types of resources
5. Think about the roles of the public library in a community
6. Think about the different types of information needs of public library patrons vs. academic library patrons
7. Think about how I have approached public libraries as a patron
8. Talk to friends about their library experiences...why do they or don't they use the library? What do they like or not like about it?
9. Research jobs in education, retail, and public service for similarities in job requirements
10. Read the article "Books, Bytes, Buildings, and Bodies" by Christine Lind Hage in the January issue of American Libraries
11. Study the libraries' annual reports from the last five years. What are the trends? Gear your answers to how you can help the library achieve its mission and goals.
12. Learn about the community served by the library. Be aware of local issues and demographics.
13. Read Library Hotline. Develop a list of subject terms and run against the publib archive.

1. "Patrons are patrons regardless of the type of library"
2. "The public is not a captive audience"
3. Public librarians work with a wide variety of people (e.g., high school kids, the elderly, children, etc.)
4. Public librarians take the user to the material instead of directing them to it. Also, public librarians find the answer instead of showing patrons how to find it.
5. Circulation is important
6. Missions of public libraries and academic libraries are difference except that they both try to get the user to the material
7. Academic library patrons need current scholarly materials with alot of detail...public library patrons want a lighter read
8. "In public libraries, our customers are our treasures."
9. An academic background may give you a better understanding of the need for continuing education.
10. Academic and public libraries are much more similar than most realize. Public service skills are transferrable.
11. Emphasize customer service and computer skills, enthusiasm, willingness to be flexible and innovative.
12. Public library work is much more diverse than academic library work.
13. Ask questions about formal and informal relations with schools in the area, who monitors public access to the Internet, what kinds of off-desk responsibilities do librarians have, and whether or not there will be collection development responsibilities.

1. Why do people use a library?
2. How is the library a part of the community?
3. How does a library staff fit into that role (see #2)?
4. Why do you want to work in a public library?
5. Do you like people?
6. What do you know about intellectual freedom?
7. What do you know about patrons' rights to privacy?
8. Can you/have you dealt with multiple bosses?
9. What experience have you had with budgeting, grant writing, long range planning, and goal setting?
10. Tell me about a time you did good.
11. How would you handle three patrons who all want help at the same time?
12. How do you deal with difficult patrons?
13. Are you willing to be active in the community?
14. What do you know about filtering?
15. Discuss the future of the public library.
16. What do you think is the future of electronic information in the public library?
17. s the book dead?
18. Tell me your ideas on programming (i.e., how much and what kind of programming?).
19. Are you willing to work evenings and weekends?
20. How well can you think on your feet and shift gears?
21. What percentage of a librarian's time should be spent on/off the desk?
22. Talk about your reading habits. What was the last book you read?

Applying for an academic library job

I thought that I had good credentials when I started looking my last year of library school -- a previous master's from a highly competitive graduate school, work study and part-time library experience in various library environments -- but the placement officer at University of Texas at Austin said, "you're great, but you're not really competitive for entry-level academic." She gave me some advice/harsh reality comments, which you may have heard before, but I'll repeat ...

• The more mobile you are, the better, so don't be attached to any one part of the country. Places in cold climates have a hard time attracting candidates. So do some southern states, especially Mississippi. It seems some people think that we are all a bunch of grits eating, racist, rednecks. Don't let stereotypes color your decision about where to apply.
• Put down any relevant experience on your resume, even if it isn't in a library -- ex: any supervisory positions, especially those with fiscal/budgeting responsibilities are a plus!
• Put down the AMOUNT of money that you were responsible for whether it be a project budget or an annual one.
• It is very important that your letter and resume succinctly and clearly address the qualifications specified in the job ad.
• Change your cover letter for EVERY single job you apply for, enough if just by a few sentences, so that it addresses the needs of that particular library/position
• Put down EXACTLY what systems, vendors, and hardware you have experience with...Don't ever put vague technology statements down on a resume! (don't write "have experience with automated circulation systems") (do write "have experience searching, creating linked item records, etc. with the Galaxy 2000 xyz web-interface system")
• There are plenty of people with subject master's degrees in the applicant pool. To make yourself stand out you need TECHNOLOGY, TECHNOLOGY, TECHNOLOGY. The more systems, electronic databases, and online services you know the better.
• Foreign language skills make you stand out. Even reading knowledge only is better than no language proficiency at all.
• NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK Go to conventions and don't just attend, volunteer! Go to receptions. Be an officer in your professional library organization. Get to know as many people as possible. A recommendation or nomination from another librarian gets you noticed.
• Get involved with NMRT or other professional organizations. You just might meet that important "contact" that will pass your name along to the right person. If you serve on committees, [and you don't have to attend conference to serve] ask for a letter of recommendation from the chair. It will show that you are interested and involved in the profession (especially of importance in an academic position)!

Actual Job Interview Behavior

• "Stretched out on the floor to fill out the job application."
• "She wore a Walkman and said she could listen to me and the music at the same time."
• "A balding candidate abruptly excused himself. Returned to office a few minutes later, wearing a hairpiece."
• "... asked to see interviewer's resume to see if the personnel executive was qualified to judge the candidate."
• "... announced she hadn't had lunch and proceeded to eat a hamburger and French fries in the interviewer's office - wiping the ketchup on her sleeve"
• "Interrupted to phone his therapist for advice on answering specific interview questions."
• "When I asked him about his hobbies, he stood up and started tap dancing around my office."
• "At the end of the interview, while I stood there dumbstruck, he went through my purse, took out a brush, brushed his hair, and left."
• "... pulled out a Polaroid camera and snapped a flash picture of me. Said he collected photos of everyone who interviewed him."
• "While I was on a long-distance phone call, the applicant took out a copy of Penthouse, and looked through the photos only, stopping longest at the centerfold."
• "During the interview, an alarm clock went off from the candidate's brief case. He took it out, shut it off, apologized and said he had to leave for another interview."
• "A telephone call came in for the job applicant. It was from his wife. His side of the conversation went like this: "Which company? When do I start? What's the salary?" I said, "I assume you're not interested in conducting the interview any further." He promptly responded, "I am as long as you'll pay me more." I didn't hire him, but later found out there was no other job offer. It was a scam to get a higher offer."
• "His attaché [case] opened when he picked it up and the contents spilled, revealing ladies' undergarments and assorted makeup and perfume."
• "... asked who the lovely babe was, pointing to the picture on my desk. When I said it was my wife, he asked if she was home now and wanted my phone number. I called security."
• "Pointing to a black case he carried into my office, he said that if he was not hired, the bomb would go off. Disbelieving, I began to state why he would never be hired and that I was going to call the police. He then reached down to the case, flipped a switch and ran. No one was injured, but I did need to get a new desk."

The Back Door Guide to Short Term Job Adventures

Our guide offers thousands of detailed listings for unique and alternative paid internships, seasonal work, volunteer opportunities, overseas jobs, volunteer vacations, and other short-term work experiences. Whether you're a college student, a corporate-weary, 9-5-bleary individual, a happily employed adventure seeker, or in your golden years, The Back Door Guide to Short Term Job Adventures has something for everybody. It gives you first hand accounts of what it's really like living, working, and learning in a totally new and completely different job environment. Opportunities range from mountaineering to museums - workcamps to wildlife, and each listing is complete with detailed and up-to-date information, including who to talk to, what it pays, where it's located, helpful insider tips on getting hired -- complete with web sites. Zillions of tips, quotes, features, and stories from Back Door readers enlighten and amuse you; and five indexes make it all totally accessible. Back Door Experiences 45 Pearl St., #3 Dorchester, MA 02125-1815 USA (617) 825-2025

Jobs you can live with

This is a directory of organizations working for a better world. The mission of Student Pugwash USA is to promote socially responsible applications of science and technology in the 21st century. This directory is for students and young professionals who are in the midst of their academic studies or are just beginning their careers and want to start their life's work by creating a more just, secure and sustainable world. A tremendous resource for identifying internship opportunities. The environmental and natural resources are very well represented in this compendium. Thanks to a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, this reference book can be ordered free of charge. -Fred Stoss

ACCESS (nonprofit jobs)

Formerly known as Community Jobs, ACCESS: Networking in the Public Interest provides an excellent resource for anyone seeking jobs, internships, volunteer positions, and career development in non-profit organizations. Also serves nonprofit employers seeking a national pool of job seekers. All employment listings in the print version of ACCESS are posted on this Web site.

Escape Artist Home Page

This is one of the biggest overseas job directories on the Internet. Here you'll find links to a wealth of information on topics such as moving and living overseas, offshore investments, Internet commerce, world search engines, and world newspapers. Clicking on "Overseas Jobs" will bring you to job links organized by country.

Thanks to L I B R A R Y J U I C E for much of  the above information. Library Juice is a free weekly publication edited and published by Rory Litwin (Rory@libr.org).