The library staff ranges from volunteer students tidying books on shelves, to professional librarians with multiple master's degrees who oversee special collections. As an entry-level job seeker, your best option is to volunteer or apply for the position of assistant librarian in a small library. Competition for these positions is often quite high, so read on to find out about them and how to increase your chances.
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Method 1 of 3: Understanding Library Work at Beginner Level
Step 1. Inquire about volunteering at a public library in your area
The staff at the information desk can give you more references about volunteering, or direct you to talk to someone who knows about it. Public libraries often offer volunteer work opportunities for people without library-related experience or education. Volunteer work may include tidying up books on shelves, repairing broken books, assisting visitors at the circulation desk, or helping children's librarians.
Step 2. Consider becoming a librarian
Librarians are usually paid, but may be temporary or part-time employees. The job of a librarian is similar to what volunteer workers do, which is usually to tidy up the books on the shelves. This may be your best chance at paid librarianship if you're not a student, and don't have a college degree.
The librarian at the information desk can also advise you on the program
Step 3. Ask about other work in the library
It's important to know that not all job positions in libraries are related to being a librarian or requiring a library science degree. Almost all libraries need janitors, and large libraries also need security guards.
Step 4. Look for opportunities at your college or university
If you are a student at a college or university, visit your school library. They may hire students as assistant librarians. These positions can often be adapted to a student's class schedule and may or may not be linked to a student's financial aid package.
Step 5. Compare library assistant job requirements
A library assistant position is an entry-level job that handles the day-to-day activities of a library. Requirements vary greatly from library to library. Small libraries tend to have lower requirements, and can even train high school students. More often than not, you'll need a high school diploma, and sometimes practical work experience in library science at the college level.
Some libraries use the terms "library technician" and "library assistant" interchangeably. In some other libraries, technicians are at a higher level and have higher educational requirements
Method 2 of 3: Getting a Job
Step 1. Look at a wall magazine or website
Some libraries have wall magazines to display special event notifications and, sometimes, vacancies. Take a look every now and then so you can apply for a job that fits your requirements, or to find out what requirements you can try to meet in the future. Libraries may also advertise job openings on their website, or on local government websites.
Most libraries are non-profit institutions that are under the supervision of an agency. Compared to most companies, this leaves libraries with less leeway to freely hire someone. You are unlikely to be hired based on personal connections, and are usually required to meet the listed requirements
Step 2. Visit the library before applying
When you see a job opening that matches your experience level, visit the library in person. Assess the service you get as well as the experience while visiting the library. Ask the library staff questions. Find out the program schedule, the technology it includes, and other library facilities. All of this gives you material to talk about during the interview, which will show that you are ready and provide suggestions on things you can help improve.
- For example, if you are in a library program, get ideas for developing it. If gardening programs for kids are popular, suggest starting a seed library.
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Gather as much information as possible about the library where you will apply for the job:
- Topics of books that fall within the scope of the library
- Classification system used
- Database used
- Are there digital versions of the books in the library
Step 3. Submit your resume
In many job selection processes in public libraries, especially libraries in big cities, job application resumes will be scanned by computers and not humans. So, this resume must contain key words of a certain description, or the applicant will not be considered for the interview.
In your cover letter and during interviews, highlight the qualities that will make you a good librarian (organization skills, attention to detail, social skills), as well as an interest in libraries and the fields within them
Step 4. Find out about local politics
Find out everything about politics that could affect the library before taking an interview there. Is funding on the brink, or have hours or services been cut? Consider getting a role as a library advisor or supporter. Look for groups of "library friends" who may have this functionality.
Step 5. Expand your network
If possible, get to know not only the librarians on the library staff, but also the members of the foundation that employs them. If after applying, the library invites you to meet with members of the foundation, library friends, or other community groups, consider that the next step in the interview. Be professional and go about your business.
Method 3 of 3: Take Training to Get a Librarian Career
Step 1. Find a job that requires a bachelor's degree
Some librarian positions in public libraries require only a diploma or bachelor's degree. This type of position is often aimed at youth or child librarians.
Step 2. Study for a master's degree in Library Science
Almost all intermediate and advanced library jobs require a Master's in Library Science (MLIS) degree. Professional librarians take on more difficult tasks, such as supervising assistants or updating library collections.
Step 3. Take a specialization
Librarians fulfill many roles, including reference librarian, corporate librarian, catalog expert, library manager, collections manager (deciding what books to add and remove), children's librarian, youth librarian, school librarian (kindergarten to high school), academic librarian, librarian systems (involving IT work), or holding a circulation desk. Look for other roles that sound appealing to you, and focus on your education to reach these positions.
Many library science programs also provide a specialization in archiving. Archivists are in charge of handling historical texts, physically preserving them and providing access to texts for research
Step 4. Take training for academic libraries
Many academic librarians also hold additional master's degrees in specific subjects. If you are interested in an academic subject, such as art, law, music, business or psychology, this pathway can combine it with your interest in libraries.
Step 5. Consider working in a dedicated library
A special library is usually a library in a private company, which specializes in storing legal, business, health, or government references. Most positions in specialized libraries require at least a master's degree in library science. A librarian may also need a degree or experience in a specific library subject area. Examples include law, business, science, and government.
Tips
- Public and academic libraries often require staff to work on flexible schedules to fill afternoon and weekend work schedules.
- Librarians must have excellent customer service skills to assist visitors.
- If you are a budding librarian who recently earned an MLIS degree and has little or no experience, consider moving to an out-of-town area or applying for a position in a small library.
- Look for work in libraries through public and university library websites and library associations such as the Indonesian Librarian Association and the Indonesian School Librarian Association.
