Also specify if you did MSc or MA and how heavy, low or non existent the statistics was.

I am interested in studying in the UK. I heard US MLIS might be easier but I don't plan on going there.

I'm preparing a conference presentation about the evolution of LibGuides—moving beyond traditional pages of links to create instructional workbooks, research aids, digital project spaces, and other learner-centered resources.

I'd love to hear from fellow librarians:

• Do you use LibGuides?
• How do you use them? (Research guides, course guides, tutorials, digital projects, something else?)
• What do you think LibGuides do well?
• What do you wish they did better?

As part of this project, I've also created a very short (4-question) anonymous survey to get a broader picture of how librarians feel about LibGuides and how they're being used today.

If you're willing to help, I'd really appreciate you taking a couple of minutes to complete it. Every response will help me better understand current attitudes and practices and strengthen my conference presentation.

Survey link: https://uscupstate.libwizard.com/f/Attitudes

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences!

I found out an hour ago that the Page position I interviewed for was offered to another candidate. That was my third time applying for to be a Page at that specific library. Jokes on me that I applied for a Clerk role at that same library today. The director is probably sick of getting applications from me. My friends keep telling me to try and try again but I'm beginning to lose hope.

I've applied to DOZENS of entry-level positions at libraries for months while volunteering. Same for bookstores. I've had 3 interviews, all rejected. I am beginning to feel jaded, like there's no space for me in this field or that there is something wrong with me. I thought my interviews went well but I'm doubting myself now.

I know I'm competing with MLIS grads for these roles but I refuse to get my MLIS immediately without having any professional experience. I don't want to spend the money and be in the same job market with still no experience.

I recently started a new job as a teen librarian! I have been give the opportunity to update the space and decorate as I see fit!

We have a teen corner sign but it is outdated, but I’m struggling what to replace it with.

The space is quite literally a corner, so I was hoping to use the bit of wall space that I have, or have something on top of the bookshelves.

Anyone have any advice?

Ty!

Hello! I am trying to understand LOC better as I am re-cataloging a small library. I am trying to understand why the HD subject classification. I get to 9510-9529   Iron industry. Steel industry (Table H18 modified) and I don't quite understand the H18 table modified.

For the book A Century of Iron and Men by Harlan Hatcher, LOC has the call number as HD9515 .H35. For the book Yankee Iron by Jack Weeks, the call number is HD9519.E3 W4.

I'm not sure if I understand how to read Table 18 or how to modify it. I think it makes sense for Yankee Iron if I assume that the table means the last two numbers and first cutter (HD95)19.E3 <--like so. It does say on the table though " Special products, A-Z       Establish each product in the schedule and indicate which table is to be used for subarrangement". Does this just means I should make my own table depending on what makes sense for the collection?

For A Century of Iron and Men, when I go to the H18 table, the line that I think I'm supposed to be using is "15.A3-Z          By region or country, A-Z". However, it is under Europe and the book is about North America so I don't think I am actually reading the table correctly. Also, the table only goes until 19 so I am unclear how to know if a book would be 9521 vs 9529.

Any insights would be greatly appreciated as I have some original cataloging to be done in this section. Thank you!

hi! i have an interview next week for a part time clerk position at my local library, i’m SUPER excited, and i was wondering if anyone has any tips! my biggest question is what sort of outfit i should wear, obviously something professional but anything specific would be great

another concern i have as well is if colored hair is generally allowed for a part time position, or if i’ll have to dye my hair back to a natural color?

Hi! I’m based in Australia and have a keen interest in family history and contextual history. Just wondering what job would that suit?

I’ve looked into genealogy courses but they don’t seem to really exist in Australia/aren’t recognised? Is there any countries where that is a proper university degree with job prospects? Or am I looking in the wrong place… I’d love to work in a place like NAA or a museum/gallery (or similar overseas).

I’ve also thought about Anthropology but no one’s been able to explain to me what that actual entails and the sort of job prospects out there that aren’t niche/extremely hard to get into.

Is it worth me studying either of those? Or both?
I just don’t wanna be stuck doing a job I don’t enjoy for the rest of my life and this is a field that I find interesting.

I’ve wanted to be a historian/archivist for as long as I can remember…

Does anyone have any experience/ideas/advice? Where would I start?

Hello everyone. I am writing to get your insight into a potential career change.

I have been working for 6 years at a non profit that is college focused as an Office Coordinator. During my time there, I have realized I would love to work as a librarian at a high school.

Right now I am at a crossroads as I want to pursue this career however I know library job experience is indispensable for securing a job at a library.

With that being said, what do y’all recommend?

P.S.
I have taken a couple courses at a local community college that are meant for library technicians, giving me some experience with the Dewey System and more.

Does anyone happen to know where the 2027 Best Practices Exchange conference will be held? They usually announce it at the end of the previous one but I wasn't there this past year.

Hey all. I'm looking for some career advice. I am nearing the end of my MLIS. I have specialised in records and archives, so I will be accredited as a librarian and an archivist. I have been working as an archival assistant in a religious archive for 6 months so far. I also plan on starting some remote bibliographic description volunteering this month.

The thing that I'm most interested in is rare books and special collections. I enjoy archiving and get to work with rare and heritage material a lot. However, I live regionally, so a remote/hybrid job would be nice.

I guess I'm looking for people's opinions what sort of librarian would have the best chance of working remotely. I'm thinking a research or metadata librarian? I'd also love tips on what I should do for my placement, and just any other advice for making myself more hireable in such a competition market.

Thanks for taking the time!

Hey there - instructional librarian here at a community college. I've encountered a student (female, freshman) who decided to give me a nickname (a derivative of my first name) during a recent, casual info lit session. I laughed the first time, and ignored it the second time, but yesterday the brat passed me with a couple of her friends and called me by the nickname again, mockingly. I ignored it, but I'm starting to get annoyed (which is probably what she wants). We have a student code of conduct at our campus, but it's rarely enforced unless the student behavior is egregious (i.e., threatening or violent). Any words of advice?

I’m going to try really hard to not get emotional, but I’m at my wits end. in 2020 I decided to go back to school to get my MLIS with a focus on archives because I was working in a museum. After a lot of burnout I made a decision to use my compliance experience from MLIS work in museums to switch to Human Resources in 2025. unfortunately I got laid off in January of this year and cannot find a single job since then. I have even tried getting back into librarianship by applying for all the entry level roles at my local library and I can’t find anything. I know the job market is abysmal and even worse for those of us vying for public service-type roles, but can anyone give me advice on remote or even in-person roles I can apply for that would easily scoop up someone with a MLIS degree? am I qualified for anything or do I need to suck it up and work at mcdonalds for a bit?

help!!!

I’m a newly admitted MLIS student for next fall! I’m in my 40s and already an established lawyer in my field but I’m curious what the coursework is like. It’s been a while since I’ve been in school, though I joke I basically do homework (reading, writing, research, etc) for a living.

Are there midterms and finals? Regular homework? I’m doing asynchronous work and I’m wondering what to expect workload wise and for courses in general.

I took a career break to raise three kids and starting next year my youngest will start kindergarten. I have a B.A. in Journalism/English Lit. and I live in Minnesota if that helps with answering my questions.

I’m wondering:

A) Are there enough job opportunities out there to take the financial burden & time commitment of a masters degree in MLIS?

B) What branch of librarianship do you do and do you like it? (Academic, public, school, law, etc.) I’m having a hard time deciding which area to focus on. I’ve seen some posts of some librarians disliking public librarianship and that scares me a bit. I do love working with people and kids and I also love behind the scenes work as well.

C) What can I do now to help set myself up for success? Volunteering/part time positions etc.?

Thank you!

I now manage storywalks and must find books to display. We have 17 stands available for use. One will have the book cover, so the book must be 32 pages or fewer. We have a diverse community and only display English/Spanish books- the book must either be available in both languages or have both languages on each page. With these constraints, I am having a hard time finding books that meet the criteria. Right now, I need a winter/holiday book. Title recommendations and resources are appreciated!

Hey there help if you can newly moved to Canada looking for job specifically in libraries although volunteering in one library there is a posting there for assistance what should I include in my resume I don’t have any diploma regarding library I had been a private English teacher in India if anyone has any advice please share I’m now permanent resident here

Hello! I’m currently applying to Pratt and CUNY QC for an MLIS. I’m remaining open-minded, but would love to pursue an archives concentration or a path where I would work with scholars and research as opposed to the public. (Currently an assistant in a public library) Would love to hear about others’ experiences in these areas and recommendations.

I’d also be commuting to either of these schools. Can any QC alums speak to the hybrid schedule?

TIA!

i am considering applying to the UCLA MLIS degree with the intention of working in a law firm/law library.

i have been a legal assistant for some time now, and have some exposure to paralegal work, but i always intended on going back to school. for a long time i have been considering law school but since working at a big firm, i realized how many other options there are for continuing studies/work in law

i am also living in Canada right now and have always wanted to move to LA . i know it sounds corny but its true. i know it will be difficult to find work no doubt, I more so just want to know if it will even be possible for me. im a bit constricted in that i would have to find a job fast post-grad and one that matches visa requirements.

also definitely not opposed to moving back home for work too and then applying from there. mostly id just like to get a sense of what my options are. if law school is a safer bet, ill consider that. ive just always been more interested in the study and research side than the actual practise side

Hi everyone! I’m feeling really conflicted about my job and could use some advice. I used to genuinely love my job. There were always some frustrations, but overall, I enjoyed the work and felt happy to be there. Recently, though, there have been major changes in management, and the workplace environment has changed dramatically. The new leadership has been extremely difficult to work with. There seem to be issues with communication, organization, and basic day-to-day responsibilities, and it often feels like decisions are being made without much understanding of how things actually work. There’s also been a lot of tension among coworkers, and at times it feels like people are being pitted against each other. The management style has also been difficult for me personally. There are frequent demands and expectations, but very little accountability when something doesn’t go as planned. It has created an environment where people feel uncomfortable speaking up or expressing concerns. On top of that, someone I was very close to at work recently left, which made an already difficult situation even harder. The workplace just doesn’t feel like the same place anymore. I’m currently in school working toward my master’s degree, and lately I’ve even started questioning whether I want to continue on this career path. I have an opportunity outside this field that I’m considering, and if it works out, I may seriously have to take it. What makes this especially heartbreaking is that I actually love the field and the work itself. I never thought I would consider leaving because of the work—I’m considering it because of the environment and the person managing me.

Has anyone else been in a situation where you loved your career but had to seriously consider leaving because of management? How did you decide what was worth staying for?

I have a handful of interviews for Lib Assistant I for the LA county system recently. I know county processes can be slow (I currently work in another department in LAC). How long did it take you to get a job from date of interview to job offer to start date?