ALA has gathered advice and resources on getting job in this tough economic market. Check it out here: http://www.getajob.ala.org/
A colleague has written his two cents concerning about getting an interview at an academic institution.
Preparing for an academic interview – ALA | Get A Job!.
I like what Jonathan has to say. Though, I might quibble on a little point.
I have been on multiple job interviews and a member of a few search committees myself. Truthfully, I really wish libraries would open up their hiring practices beyond the MLIS. I think in some cases (not all) we hurt libraries by limiting to the ALA sanctioned MLIS. We have created our own job security with the MLIS. Get the piece of paper get the job. Pretty much it is a giant bureaucracy with blinders on. Yet, in some situations the most qualified person for a library position can be drawn from people without an MLIS. This pool of candidates may have greater experience with technology, computers, web site creation, public relations, literacy, history, archives, languages, fund-raising, teaching etc. These are all skills libraries need to remain relevant to our public. Limiting to only those candidates with an MLIS weeds out these potentially great hires.
I guess the basic question is, is it easier to train someone to be a librarian or is it easier to train a librarian to learn a language, learn JavaScript, learn to teach, learn whatever?
I am not saying ditch the MLIS by any means. Actually, I think libraries under-value it in many respects. Most libraries these days, in my humble observation, concern themselves more with managing resources and draw little from library theory. If you want someone to manage resources, you mind as well just hire someone with a business background or any background that helps the library. If you want someone with vision, an understanding of the cultural role of a library, and the place libraries reside within communities, get yourself a librarian with an MLIS ASAP! I, personally, would love to see more library theory being talked about in libraries. Let’s talk about WHY we are developing our collections not simply HOW we manage them.
If it is about selecting the right people to make your organization a better place, why limit your choices? Make some tough choices in your hiring committees, don’t put limitations simply to make your job easier.
Tags: education, jobs, librarians
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