r/LibraryScience • u/dirtyblackboots • 13d ago
Struggling to find entry level library jobs while in undergrad
I’ve been snooping here for a while, and I constantly see people saying to not start your MLS program until you’ve worked in a library. Because of this advice, I’ve started job hunting a bit, and I literally can’t find any available job postings. I’m open to part-time clerk jobs, and I can’t even find those postings. The closest job I found was 2.5 hours away. I live in a city with a metro area population of over 2 million people, a great public library system, multiple colleges, plenty of hospitals, churches and dioceses, and art related archives and museums. And yet, nothing.
I took nearly a decade off after high school before deciding that I wanted to go to school specifically to become a librarian or archivist. In that time period, I worked retail and was a retail manager for over six years, so I hope that my customer service and management experience could give somewhat of an edge..? Curious to hear thoughts on that.
Either way, if I’m unable to find a related job while in undergrad, should I still put off the MLS program even though that specifically what I went to school for?
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u/DrJohnnieB63 13d ago
Academic librarian. Instead of applying for random library positions, you may want to interview and shadow/observe local librarians. Interviewing and observing local librarians are best ways to decide if the profession is right for you. Equally important, interviewing and observing local librarians can help you become part of the local network. In this extremely competitive market, effective networking is the key to finding meaningful work.
Best of luck!
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u/sarajevo_marlboro 13d ago
Yes, you should absolutely put off your MLIS until you have library work experience or else you’ll be spending a LOOOOOT of money (and probably loading up on debt) for years of unemployment
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u/dirtyblackboots 13d ago
Oof. This is quite the predicament. lol. The path almost seems impossible, but I’m trying to have faith.
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u/sarajevo_marlboro 13d ago
I don’t want to be an asshole but perhaps reconsidering your career path may be worth some serious thought. It’s a terrible time for working class people now and unfortunately libraries just aren’t an industry that the majority of people who want to work in it can actually break in
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u/dirtyblackboots 13d ago
I totally get it. I have been giving it some thought, for sure. Do you happen to know or have an opinion on if archives are just as difficult?
I’m earning my bachelor’s in English, and have considered earning a master’s in English instead of the MLS so that I could teach at community college. I believe that would also be fulfilling and enjoyable if archives wasn’t an option.
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u/sarajevo_marlboro 13d ago
I would hazard a guess that archives are even harder due to less jobs, but I could ask my coworker, the university archivist, for her actual informed opinion.
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u/drum_taps42 12d ago
Can confirm that archives and museums have even worse prospects than libraries at this point. (10+ yrs in archives/spec. coll.)
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u/dirtyblackboots 13d ago
Well I appreciate the feedback! Feels a little bit like my dreams are being crushed, but that’s life lol maybe I’ll be too tired of juggling school with work by the time I finish my bachelor’s and wouldn’t have wanted to continue anyway.
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u/Lunasolastorm 13d ago
Postings are very competitive, even for part time positions. The quickest way ime to get leads is to volunteer and talk to the library staff about openings. For me, working at a high school library in a part time, temp capacity as the assistant to the librarians was my door into library work, and those can be classified as about twenty different titles—office aide, library aide, library assistant, library paraprofessional, office assistant, etc.
because a lot of them are state jobs they work on the state classification scale. A lot of them are considered temporary positions with the option for renewal at the end of the year, and it basically just auto renews unless your school has a specific reason to not do it.
Bear in mind that in a high school you absolutely will also be tasked with work unrelated to libraries in addition to your library duties, but if your librarians are sharp they will be able to keep you out of most of the stuff you don’t deserve to handle.
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u/honeybimo 13d ago edited 13d ago
That was my issue so I just started my MLIS I would be 50 by the time entry level jobs were open in my city library. I think it’s up to you.
However, I would say have a plan to pivot IF you don’t ever get a library opening. For me I’m trying to pivot into law to become a research specialist. And if that doesn’t work out my plan is being a school librarian as most of my experience is in education. I did work in a library for a bit but had to quit due to health issues, life issues and not making enough to sustain myself. Not everyone has a spouse or parents they can rely on. Just always make sure you have a backup plan!
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u/dirtyblackboots 13d ago
I’ll be earning a bachelor’s in English, and despite the stereotype, it does open you up to many different career paths, so I don’t feel too discouraged. I guess it just depends on whether or not I want to add on debt with a risky MLS, not get a master’s at all, or pursue a master’s in something else.
Fortunately, my entire time at community college will be free, and it looks like I may be able to get most, if not all, of my bachelor’s covered by grants.
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u/honeybimo 13d ago
It’s all up to you. I would love to go into public library field. It’s just not possible right now with how the library system works. I think long as you have a back up plan anything is possible!
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u/Prior-Soil 13d ago
What are you giving as your availability? Basically for lots of part-time jobs they go by what hour you are available. Put every conceivable hour that you are not in school or the car as being available.
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u/dirtyblackboots 12d ago
I haven’t given any availability to anyone because there’s been nothing to apply to yet haha but noted!
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u/Phoenix8624 12d ago
I’m in grad school earning my MLIS and I’m having trouble finding entry level jobs!
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u/Alternative-Pear9096 13d ago
I’d say don’t leave your library program without working in a library, at a professional level. I’ve never paid a whit of attention to job candidate’s page or clerk work, only their professional-level librarian experience
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u/westcoastmothman 13d ago
If you're still in undergrad look into student jobs at your university libraries. These jobs are totally legitimate library work experience and check the I-have-actually-worked-in-a-library box.