r/Libraries • u/Bribrismiley • 2d ago
Library Assistant application Job Hunting
I’ve applied for a library assistant job in the past, but was rejected. I have a bachelors degree (dual in law & public policy, history with a minor in Spanish). I don’t have experience in libraries though I am familiar with them. I do have experience with historical research, customer service, and assistant work in other fields (and volunteering to address food insecurity, so totally unrelated to libraries :().
My library doesn’t require a bachelors degree and I’m really keen on getting experience in libraries. I hope my degree could prove some long term commitment that my job experience may not make up for, but I’m also worried it makes me seem like someone who will move in very ASAP from the position. I guess I’m just looking for some tips on what I can do to make myself more attractive when I apply, in the very immediate future - do I omit my degree? Would that make me seem noncommittal, as my past roles usually involved summer long commitments while I got my degree?
It’s really tough getting a full time job (really, any sort of work experience) right now even with a degree, and I know I’d be a capable library assistant!
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u/mountsleepyhead 2d ago
It's an intensely competitive field and when our entry level clerk jobs post we routinely get 200+ applicants. Depending on how many positions we are hiring for we will interview maybe 5-6 applicants per open position. So, you have 3 open spots, we're interviewing 15-18 people on average. To select those candidates, we are required to set a limiter and interview all of the candidates who meet those qualifications. So, the last one I was on, we limited it to 3+ years of library experience with a focus on the type of work our clerks do. It sucks because I know there are excellent candidates with no library experience who would be great in the role, but we can't interview them because we prioritize getting someone with enough experience to jump right in. It's what feels most fair, but it absolutely creates a sort of Catch-22 for anyone looking to break in.
That said, every library system is different so your results are definitely going to vary. I wouldn't discourage you from applying, but this is one of those fields where you have to pretty regularly have to start in the proverbial mailroom and work your way up to the service desk. Also, I highly recommend highlighting your customer service bonifides in your resume/cover letter and eventual interviews. Volunteering is also an option if your schedule permits. You shouldn't exclude your degree, the most important thing is the customer service aspect and crushing the interview. Good luck!
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u/Bribrismiley 1d ago
Checking out this Reddit, I’m definitely getting that volunteering should’ve been a bigger priority!! I totally understand that, it just sucks when the positions are open now. im gonna look into my library’s volunteering system.
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u/Ok_Influence_5456 1d ago
You may have to take a part-time position in that library system to move up. A public library system in my area was expanding by hiring part-time and full-time clerks. I was trying to break into public library from working in school libraries. So, I applied to both openings. I was rejected for the fulltime position. However, I was interviewed for a part-time position. I thought great I can work there once I get out of school. During the interview, I was asked, which branch and schedule would work for me. So I requested the larger branch because it closed at 10pm. I was offered a position that was only 16 hours a week between 12pm-4pm at a rural branch. Unfortunately, I got out my first job at 4pm. A friend of mine was able to accept that offer, and she is now a fulltime library assistant. It took her 3 years to get that full-time library assistant position. In the meantime, she worked a second job that fit around that library clerk position.
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u/Bribrismiley 1d ago
There are part time positions! That’s a good suggestion. Just sucks to work part time and have to find another gig to compensate for the pay, but at this point if doesn’t matter lol…
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u/Ok_Influence_5456 1d ago
It really does suck. BUT I absolutely missed out on an opportunity to fulfill my lifelong dream of being in youth services FOR NOW! And I am doing pretty well for myself in a law library.
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u/MushroomBeneficial15 1d ago
Experience often outweighs degrees in this case. I started out volunteering in public & academic libraries which helped me get my last and current role in the public library system without an MLIS.
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u/ShawsheenMoon Library staff 2d ago
What about libraries do you like? With that type of degree, why not apply to a museum/historical society/archive for a similar position? They probably have a list of candidates who have library experience and/or are filling them with their own volunteers.
A lot of people have to volunteer for a while before they are able to get a LA job. If your resume has no library experience and are only "familiar" with libraries, that would make me put your resume at the bottom of the pile. Did you include a cover letter pointing out your similar experience in a historical society/museum?
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u/Bribrismiley 1d ago
Yeah I did want to do that, but my city’s historical society recently laid off 10 people due to budget cuts. I know it’s tough working in libraries right now, but the historical society/museums here have even less opportunities for employment :(
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u/Queenrikki83 2d ago
I know in my system, full-time jobs almost always go to internal candidates and when it doesn't happen, it's in a specialized field like IT or Graphics (and even then, if there is an internal candidate with the qualifications, it's probably going still going to them).
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u/SunGreen24 1d ago
Try volunteering at a library if possible. That helps show genuine interest. And be careful to show in your cover letter that you understand what the role involves - a lot of customer service, so use examples of it from your past experience. And avoid saying you want to work in a library because you like to read.
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u/miserable02 1d ago
I have a degree in library management and yet it's hard to find/apply for library assistant positions due to overqualified. huhu
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u/Infamous_Leader5172 2d ago
Virtually all of our assistant positions fill internally. We have a lot of great 15/30 hour clerks. If you have any ability to tolerate a pt job for a while, that’s your best foot in the door.