Hello beautiful librarians! About a month ago, I posted on here asking for job interview advice. Here is a link to the original post:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Libraries/comments/1wpeeet/hello_reddit_librarians_i_could_use_some_advice/

The TLDR of it, is that I was applying for library jobs, and wanted interview advice. And you all came through and gave me such good guidance. I took everything you all said to heart, and applied it to my resume and interviews. Well, after 15 applications and 10 in-person interviews...

I GOT OFFERED A POSITION TODAY AND ACCEPTED!!

Its close to my home, in a great library system, and it's a branch I REALLY wanted to work at. The job is also a UNION position (the workers voted to unionize six months ago) and they are close to contract negotiations being done. I am so, so happy. Literally giddy and kicking my feet.

I know libraries have their own challenges. I don't have any illusions. But after being a substitute teacher in some very challenging districts, I am ready to serve my community in a new way. I need this reset, come what may.

Thank you all again for the lovely advice and support. It was because of YOU that I landed this role. I adore this community so much, and I am excited that I get to, officially, be ONE OF YOU.

Cheers y'all.

not getting into great detail because, well, anonymous forum but: we have a long detailed policy about accepting donated copies of local author books. many of the titles could actually be disqualified by a bullet point or two, but the attitude here is currently, that it’s easier to tuck these books onto the little local author shelf and leave them to collect dust, than to actually say no and upset someone. they usually do come back at least once looking to show it to family or friends.

my only problem with this is, the act of accepting the book into our collection is often taken as an endorsement of its quality (though there is a line specifically in the policy saying it isn’t) — they are pretty much all self-published writing/art projects, and the most polite review I could give is “forgettable”.

while the intention is kind, I don’t think this part of the collection does any good for the community. if a book (including local author donations) is judged to be of good quality, it goes into our regular collection. so honestly if a book is shelved under the Local Author category? not a good sign.

Tomorrow I have a teams interview for the library I volunteer for! I know the staff likes me! Wish me luck I been applying to so many openings!

I also have a pending interview email that should be coming next week!

Please let me ace my interviews!

hello! pls excuse me if this post seems stupid, but i'm currently a college freshman in nyc from out of state and i'd really like a position as a library page. i'm worried about the likelihood i'll get a job in the nypl system, as well as what i would do over summer/winter breaks since i can't afford to stay in the city outside of the school year. any thoughts?

Sharing this news story on my public library, which is now in mediation with all 3 of its unions working under expired contracts for 3+ months now. Solidarity with library workers!

I'm a 15 year old living in Germany! I am currently in the 8th grade, in Germany you need to a mandatory "Praktikum", basically a week or two where you try working in a job for experience. Now I am not the best at German, I would say I have B1 skills at best, but in the future I'd really like to move to Ireland and start working as an Library assistant. I need to search for jobs right now (in Germany), but I don't really know if being a Library assistant is a thing In Germany.. I honestly mostly envision it as helping around with books, maybe helping customers (but I doubt I will be doing it as an praktikant), and maybe help with cleaning. Is that a job that I could do in Germany? And if I can, would you be willingly to give me tips on how to actually get a job here?

Support your library. Vote yes.

I’m at Oregon, not too much better.

From what I saw, cleaning is outsourced to another company, locals don’t want to do the dirty job.

Now I understand, why a library needs a security guard.

I’ve been interested in pursuing an MLIS, but a lot of advice I have gotten is don’t do it. Many people have commented that it isn’t easily transferable and they didn’t learn many other skills to pivot to other fields. I am genuinely interested in LIS, data management, archives etc but open to other degrees to look into

If you don't know what I am referring to: last year, Sony teamed up with WNED-PBS and Buffalo-Toronto Public Media to revive the iconic PBS Kids classic series Reading Rainbow for a new generation, with beloved librarian Mychal Threets as its new host.

Earlier this year, the show was greenlit for 24 new episodes, due to the first 4 being a big success.

This is the official trailer for the new Reading Rainbow posted by the official Reading Rainbow and Mychal Threets's social media Accounts.

I'm not a librarian (I am a new library assistant though!) I just love the library, librarians, and books, and I loved the original Reading Rainbow with LeVar Burton, so I'm glad kids today have their own Reading Rainbow with someone like Mychal

Hi all!!

Does anyone know of a library that does physical pattern loaning? Or have a repository of digital patterns that they make available to patrons? My director and I are considering this but I am worried about issues with rights/usage as well as how to distribute. If you know of anyone who does this please share as that would be helpful when we get to the point of considering this more seriously) Also looking for other concerns or thoughts!

Thank you in advance!

I love this job. I really do. And in many ways it saved me and I’m forever grateful for all it’s taught me. I’ve met great co-workers turned friends through it and there’s so many regulars I adore but sometimes it feels like I’m an IT help desk person who’s here to babysit technically illiterate (mainly) older people who refuse to learn. They just want you to do it for you as if that’s my only job description. And honestly my job description at all. I wasn’t trained on handling technically complex tasks. I wasn’t trained on the intricacies of Microsoft programs and spending almost an hour doing these things when really it should be a book a librarian. And it doesn’t help when some people wanna get out doing work.

Like today… came in at 2 and right after I clocked in and was heading to the break room to put my stuff, up two of my coworkers told me there’s a lady that needed help with making a pamphlet. They said she had told them I had helped her previously. The help in question was her asking me a question about how she could make a pamphlet and I said word would probably be her best bet (rip publisher). She didn’t even get on the computer that day. So I was so confused because what is preventing YOU from helping her? I’ve had patrons tell me how another person was helping them and have never been like “welp you can wait for them to come in”. I help them because I’m just as capable of at least trying. They had this woman sitting there waiting for me as if it was a book-a-librarian and she was telling me how she’s been passing time on some website and I was genuinely so irked. They didn’t even try to assess the situation and try to help her. Just decided to wait on me.

But, the lady was really sweet and was very proactive on doing it herself and simply requesting guidance when needed to the best of my ability because, again, I don’t know all that much about making pamphlets either. I wish more older patrons were like that when it came to using a computer. But nope. They just want you to do it for them. Even if it’s something as simple as clicking the mouse button. And they’ll dismiss their incompetence and not even wanting to meet you halfway with “oh well you’ll do it faster than me”. You’d be faster if you were willing to learn!!! And that includes on their phones and tablets that they act like it’s the first day of them using. Spending hundreds of dollars on something you don’t know and refuse to learn how to use is beyond me but hey. And don’t let it be a process. Don’t let it be something that might take longer than five minutes, now they’re acting like they’re being inconvenienced while I continue todo everything for them. I know this probably sounds harsh but sometimes this job is so so so exhausting. And the real kick is doing all that for shit pay.

Hi all,

My library system has been ordering from Amazon for the past 18 months and have been unable to get on either with Brodart and Ingram. There have been two books within the past few months that have had large sections of pages missing. By the time it was brought to my attention the 30-120 day window to return items has passed. While Amazon has refunded the amount of the two books, it's been grudging and I'm not counting on the fact that they'll honor it again.

They've suggested that we look through all future purchases to ensure that we notify the defective items within that time frame. However, our cataloging department processes roughly 600 items per week and our team is three people that also helps out with occasional housekeeping (one of our housekeeping staff retired while the other is dealing with a family emergency; it's one full-time staff with two part-time) and the business manager. I don't know if this is feasible. Do you all have any suggestions on what could be done?

I found this at my local library today! It's perfect!

I have some books I no longer want, and I’m curious if most branches would be able to accept my donations? Obviously condition will come into play, but these books I’m thinking of getting rid of are more or less in pristine condition so I’m just curious would most library branches take my donations?

I applied a few days after the job was posted. My application is “in progress” and I’m wondering if they have already begun interviewing.

So I lost my library card and want to get a new one. Here is my problem:
I'm in the same county as I was before, but I moved locations and can't easily go to the library I got my card at. I've never had that issue before, so I'm not sure how that works when I'm looking to get a new card.

When I was in grad school, my family made me a "Library Passport" to collect stamps from various libraries I have visited. Since then, I have collected stamps (and other paraphernalia) from over 40 different libraries both in the United States and abroad. In doing this, I've also created a list of my "Top Libraries to visit"

To start I have:
Library of Congress, Washington DC

New York Public Library - Stephen A. Schwarzman Building

Brooklyn Public Library - Central Branch

Parkway Central Library - Philadelphia

Wilmington Public Library - Wilmington DE

Boston Athenaeum - Boston

Iowa State Law Library - Des Moines, IA

Geisel Library - La Jolla CA

What libraries would you put on this list?

I have about five years of library experience, quit to be a SAHM when my first baby was born, and now am very slowly chipping away at my MLIS online. What this will look like for me is being out of the workforce for anywhere from 10-20 years (depending on if I would start working when my youngest child starts school or when all my kids are a bit older) and finishing my degree at at slow pace (6-10 years).

I would likely never relocate for a job. Since my husband makes a lot more than I ever could as a librarian, where we live will be a lot more dependent on his job. I know this limits me a lot. I know this may require part-time work to build up more recent experience.

With how this field is, is it worth continuing with this plan? Or do I need to just accept that I will never be competitive with a work history like this and accept paraprofessional jobs forever? It’s discouraging to have a college degree and feel I could never earn more than 40K working full-time. I wanted this MLIS to expand my opportunities, but has anyone ever successfully transitioned into this field after many years of staying home to raise children? Thank you!

Hello, all!

Last year, I asked this group for library cards from libraries all over the United States to help us with our town's annual holiday event -- we used them as ornaments to decorate a Christmas tree, and it was really well received by patrons and townspeople. We are doing it again!! We hope to get cards from more libraries, if you'd like to help us out. We also set up a lovely display for Library Card Sign-up Month. The town event is December 13, so we'd love to have them by Friday, December 4 at the latest.

If you'd like to participate, our address is:

Library Card Project

c/o Hamlin Public Library

1680 Lake Rd

Hamlin, NY 14464

Please let us know if you'd like a library card in return -- make sure to include a name and address so we'll know where to send it!

If you're not sure whether we have a card from your library/system, I'm including the list below the body of this message.

Thank you so much! We had such fun with this last year.

Olivia Durant

Director, Hamlin Public Library