MARY FEENEYLIBRARY SCIENCE LIBRARIAN

THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA LIBRARIESDECEMBER 2, 2008

Finding a Library Job: Career

Options and Job-Hunting Resources

Goals of Presentation

Discover resources for learning about library and information-related careers

Hear tips and techniques for job searching

Learn about online and print resources for finding library jobs

Context: The Library Job Market

From Library Journal (http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6602490.html):

“Placements & Salaries 2008: Library Jobs and Pay Both Up”

“For a second year in a row, nonprofessional and temporary positions increased…The job search was a little longer and a little harder for many graduates, and reports indicate a continued rise in part-time positions.”

Tips for Your Job Search

Start thinking about your job search soon after starting the program

Talk to people in different types of library jobsGet on jobs listsPay attention to what skills employers are

seeking: What you need to learn What classes to take What internships to do Special certifications needed

More Tips

Learn what opportunities are available in what type of library and where

Find out if there is anything special about finding jobs in certain types of libraries (e.g., starting early, filling out applications)

Read up on career optionsLearn more about what you might want to do –

maybe what you hadn’t even thought of yet!Be flexible, if you can, in where you apply

(location and type of library or type of position)

Tips about flexibility

From Shontz’s “The Librarian’s Career Guidebook”:

“If you are geographically limited, think broadly about type of library or job. The more restricted you are in one aspect of job hunting, the more open-minded you should be in the others. If you know that you will be place-bound after graduation, prepare yourself to be open-minded about the type of library or information center and about the kind of work. While you are in school, look for ways to learn about all the kinds of work settings that exist in your chosen community.”

Career-related resources-Websites

LISjobs.comAdvice & articles about library careers, interviewing, salaries, getting started, and more.

Info Career Trends NewsletterYou can sign up to receive this bi-monthly professional development newsletter via email, read it online, and/or subscribe to the RSS feed. Each issue has a theme (e.g., Writing for Publication, Facing Change, Speaking & Presenting, etc.)

"Working Knowledge”Monthly column from the ALA publication, American

Libraries, covering various career/employment topics.

Career-related resources (Books)

All of these books are available at the UA Main Library. For call numbers and locations, see the Job Resources for LIS guide or check the UA Catalog.

Careers for Bookworms & Other Literary Types A Day in the Life: Career Options in Library and Information Science The Information Professional's Guide to Career Development Online Jump Start Your Career in Library and Information Science The Librarian's Career Guidebook Opportunities in Library and Information Science Careers Rethinking Information Work: A Career Guide for Librarians and Other

Information Professionals Straight from the Stacks: A Firsthand Guide to Careers in Library and

Information Science What Else You Can Do with a Library Degree: Career Options for the 90s and

Beyond What's the Alternative? Career Options for Librarians and Info Pros

Job search tools

See the Job Resources for LIS Guide for links to specific resources!

http://www.library.arizona.edu/search/subjects/library/jobresources.html

Electronic mailing lists – general and specializedJob Web sites – active searching or set up RSS feedsLibrary publications (print and/or online)ALA Placement Services at Midwinter & Annual

meetingsResidency programsNETWORKING!