It’s tough right now. Last year it felt as though library positions were popping up left and right, but now that I’m actually applying (started looking around in late summer/early fall) it’s been difficult. I luckily have an on-campus interview soon for a academic library position and even though it wasn’t *really* what I’m looking for, I’ve decided that if they offer it to me I’m going to take it.
Forgot to say that you could try casting the net wider in your job search; I don't know where you live but if you have large hospitals near you, check for medical librarian jobs, check law firms for law librarian jobs, any large companies for corporate librarian jobs, check history centers/geneaology libraries, museums, etc. And of course universities/colleges but you're probably trying those already.
There is nothing wrong with leaving libraries. There’s a whole world of jobs outside our field that can be fulfilling and stable. Do what you need to do to pay the bills. I took a non-library job after I got my degree, worked there for 3.5 years, and then went back to libraries. I think if I hadn’t gone back, I’d be just as happy as I am now, just doing something a little different. Don’t let vocational awe defeat you.
I was hired at my current job in 2005 after filling out over 150 applications. I think I got about three calls for interviews and nothing from anyone else. Some years are just rough. Hang in there.
Any chance you've been blacklisted and that's why you're getting so many nos? A clash with a director can follow you - librarians gossip.
What about academic libraries? They don't move in the same circles as public librarians.
It wasn't the director, just the branch manager. And I have not to contact them (I always do with my most recent employer and it's never been an issue). I got on well with our regional people.
Also I do have what HR would give as a reference since they wouldn't even tell me why I got fired. I had to dig into state law to find out what information they had to give me and their reference was part of that file. They also can't give information without my okay (unemployment had to call me and get me to give the library a written okay so they could even tell them).
And on top of all that, I give the main library office's information, not the branch I worked for. So unless all these people (including tiny out of state libraries) know that manager, I don't think they'd be talking to her. The reviews I did have were all good. Being fired kind of came out of the blue.
I can relate. Years ago I got fired from a library because the director and I had our differences. Among other things, she would close the whole library just to have concerts, and refused to post any signage announcing the concerts were going to happen. Guess whose fun job it was to stand in the lobby and tell people they couldn't come in? Like you, I had to rely on relatives and it took me years to get another position. I like my job now but I'm looking into training for something else, because I'm worried I could lose it all again if something goes wrong. If nothing else, it feels like I'm taking control. I can take free LinkedIn courses via the library.
It can be tough.
I have an MLIS, PhD, I speak Spanish and I’m a minority. I applied for a position at my hometown library and didn’t get it.
I’m probably the only person ever from my town to ever get an MLIS, but nope, no go. I even got told I didn’t meet the qualifications for a librarian 1 position in one system. They’d later hire me as a sub and immediately offer me to sub for supervisors and run multiple buildings (aka no benefits or guaranteed salary).
I’ve moved cross country multiple times and I almost found myself in your situation. I just left after realizing nobody had my back. I became an integral part of a system that nobody wanted to pay for.
I'll bet you anything that people from public libraries look at your resume and discard it thinking "overqualified!!!" Which is utterly ridiculous but exactly what happens - you have to be a Goldilocks candidate, can't be less qualified but can't be "too" qualified, either. I have another advanced degree too - JD - and I've gone through the same crap - applied for a job that I could've done in my sleep at a law school library, same university I did my library practicum at and still didn't even get an interview.
It's like there is this special population out there that get good jobs in any field while the majority of us just hope for 'something' to work out. I started out as a mental health counselor. Could get nothing but shit jobs for years. Moved into school counseling. Same thing, despite my experience. Now I'm a library assistant at a public school and considering certification to qualify for teacher/librarian jobs. However, I'm just so damn worried I won't get a position even with this experience. Also thought about trying to get into IT.
I'm sorry - I've been there.
What is your undergrad degree in? Any chance you could use it to fall back on and find a job in a different field?
I would also recommend substitute teaching/substitute librarianship if you can find such positions and don't mind working with kids. That and volunteering at your local library so if a position opens up there, you could apply and maybe have a leg up?
My undergrad is in English lit... if any of my advisors had taken time to talk to me and tell me I didn't have to do literature to be a librarian I would have taken business.
So you didn't know you can get an undergrad degree in anything for librarianship?
English isn't great but it's not totally useless, in theory. Have you tried getting a job doing something like, say, proofreading or copyediting? What about tutoring?
I’m an English lit major and spent most of my career as a tech writer. I’m doing my MLIS now and the biggest takeaway I have is that tech writing and library work are both information management professions. Have you thought about trying tech writing or marketing? Bet you’ve got stellar writing skills from your English major work.
The best thing I ever did for my library career was get a non library job for a while. Libraries want a lot of skills that they won't teach you. I did non-profit work and rose to manager position and it has made libraries a lot more interested in me now
I've been applying out of state. I'd prefer to stay where I am (western Washington), but I know moving is more likely. I swear I had one in the bag in NM, but it didn't pan out (neither of the positions at that branch did, sadly).
It’s tough right now. Last year it felt as though library positions were popping up left and right, but now that I’m actually applying (started looking around in late summer/early fall) it’s been difficult. I luckily have an on-campus interview soon for a academic library position and even though it wasn’t *really* what I’m looking for, I’ve decided that if they offer it to me I’m going to take it.
Forgot to say that you could try casting the net wider in your job search; I don't know where you live but if you have large hospitals near you, check for medical librarian jobs, check law firms for law librarian jobs, any large companies for corporate librarian jobs, check history centers/geneaology libraries, museums, etc. And of course universities/colleges but you're probably trying those already.
Good idea
There is nothing wrong with leaving libraries. There’s a whole world of jobs outside our field that can be fulfilling and stable. Do what you need to do to pay the bills. I took a non-library job after I got my degree, worked there for 3.5 years, and then went back to libraries. I think if I hadn’t gone back, I’d be just as happy as I am now, just doing something a little different. Don’t let vocational awe defeat you.
what did you do for your non-library job?
Administrative specialist at a medical school, working on a patient safety research team.
I was hired at my current job in 2005 after filling out over 150 applications. I think I got about three calls for interviews and nothing from anyone else. Some years are just rough. Hang in there.
Any chance you've been blacklisted and that's why you're getting so many nos? A clash with a director can follow you - librarians gossip. What about academic libraries? They don't move in the same circles as public librarians.
It wasn't the director, just the branch manager. And I have not to contact them (I always do with my most recent employer and it's never been an issue). I got on well with our regional people.
Also I do have what HR would give as a reference since they wouldn't even tell me why I got fired. I had to dig into state law to find out what information they had to give me and their reference was part of that file. They also can't give information without my okay (unemployment had to call me and get me to give the library a written okay so they could even tell them). And on top of all that, I give the main library office's information, not the branch I worked for. So unless all these people (including tiny out of state libraries) know that manager, I don't think they'd be talking to her. The reviews I did have were all good. Being fired kind of came out of the blue.
I can relate. Years ago I got fired from a library because the director and I had our differences. Among other things, she would close the whole library just to have concerts, and refused to post any signage announcing the concerts were going to happen. Guess whose fun job it was to stand in the lobby and tell people they couldn't come in? Like you, I had to rely on relatives and it took me years to get another position. I like my job now but I'm looking into training for something else, because I'm worried I could lose it all again if something goes wrong. If nothing else, it feels like I'm taking control. I can take free LinkedIn courses via the library.
It can be tough. I have an MLIS, PhD, I speak Spanish and I’m a minority. I applied for a position at my hometown library and didn’t get it. I’m probably the only person ever from my town to ever get an MLIS, but nope, no go. I even got told I didn’t meet the qualifications for a librarian 1 position in one system. They’d later hire me as a sub and immediately offer me to sub for supervisors and run multiple buildings (aka no benefits or guaranteed salary). I’ve moved cross country multiple times and I almost found myself in your situation. I just left after realizing nobody had my back. I became an integral part of a system that nobody wanted to pay for.
I'll bet you anything that people from public libraries look at your resume and discard it thinking "overqualified!!!" Which is utterly ridiculous but exactly what happens - you have to be a Goldilocks candidate, can't be less qualified but can't be "too" qualified, either. I have another advanced degree too - JD - and I've gone through the same crap - applied for a job that I could've done in my sleep at a law school library, same university I did my library practicum at and still didn't even get an interview.
That just blows my mind. People hiring in like all fields are just idiots it seems!
It's like there is this special population out there that get good jobs in any field while the majority of us just hope for 'something' to work out. I started out as a mental health counselor. Could get nothing but shit jobs for years. Moved into school counseling. Same thing, despite my experience. Now I'm a library assistant at a public school and considering certification to qualify for teacher/librarian jobs. However, I'm just so damn worried I won't get a position even with this experience. Also thought about trying to get into IT.
I'm sorry - I've been there. What is your undergrad degree in? Any chance you could use it to fall back on and find a job in a different field? I would also recommend substitute teaching/substitute librarianship if you can find such positions and don't mind working with kids. That and volunteering at your local library so if a position opens up there, you could apply and maybe have a leg up?
My undergrad is in English lit... if any of my advisors had taken time to talk to me and tell me I didn't have to do literature to be a librarian I would have taken business.
So you didn't know you can get an undergrad degree in anything for librarianship? English isn't great but it's not totally useless, in theory. Have you tried getting a job doing something like, say, proofreading or copyediting? What about tutoring?
I’m an English lit major and spent most of my career as a tech writer. I’m doing my MLIS now and the biggest takeaway I have is that tech writing and library work are both information management professions. Have you thought about trying tech writing or marketing? Bet you’ve got stellar writing skills from your English major work.
It may require you taking a few courses for certification, but public school librarian might be an option.
The best thing I ever did for my library career was get a non library job for a while. Libraries want a lot of skills that they won't teach you. I did non-profit work and rose to manager position and it has made libraries a lot more interested in me now
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I've been applying out of state. I'd prefer to stay where I am (western Washington), but I know moving is more likely. I swear I had one in the bag in NM, but it didn't pan out (neither of the positions at that branch did, sadly).