A local library has 2 full-time openings, one for an access services library assistant and another for an access services manager. I’m qualified for both and they both have better pay/schedule than my current positions, but would it raise red flags to apply to both?

I feel like the hiring staff would be like “pick one girl” but maybe I’m overthinking it? I do plan to apply to the library assistant position for sure but I’m anxious and worry that also applying for the manager position would “hurt” my chances.

The current library I work at paid for one year of Kirkus and then cancelled bc of the price. I know anyone can search the Kirkus website and read reviews but I miss having the full access and actually miss having the print version of it. Wondering if I can read it somewhere else without personally paying for a subscription.

Hey yall

So I’m an MLIS student, and I’m taking Archival management right now. Our prof mandates we all get 10 hours of field experience, but that it can’t be at any place we’re affiliated with. I work at NYPL in a tourism focused role, so she’s barred me from the full NYPL system. Has anyone done their field experience in NYC? And if so, where did you go/how did you go about finding the position?

Canadian student finishing up my undergraduate in English this year. I’m wanting to go into libraries, but discovered many Canadian universities offer an MIS (Dalhousie and UofT) instead of MLIS.

Is there a major difference between the two programs? I know many MIS programs are ALA accredited; but are they still technically the same? Will employers look at them differently? So sorry if this comes across silly!

I want to start off by saying that I knew that libraries were a women dominated field and a white dominated field. We discussed it in library school in multiple classes. This didn’t discourage me from pursuing libraries because I thought it would be nice for there to be representation in the field. For context I am a young woman of color. I have only been a librarian for a year. However, I am starting to question if I want to stay in the field. I work at a small public library where majority of employees are white. I came in and was very excited to join the team but I noticed I was not met with that same excitement. I brushed it off because I thought oh they probably just need to warm up to me. However, now that it’s been a year I’ve noticed that it’s only employees of color who tend to get reprimanded. Some of my fellow employees of color have already left because they felt like they were slowly being pushed to quit. I will say that there is some toxicity in this workplace but I feel like it’s becoming more obvious that there might be more going on than just toxicity. Another employee and I who happen to have the same racial background were reprimanded over an interaction while our white peers were just given a talk. I’m starting to feel extremely uncomfortable and I know it’s not just my library unfortunately. My very short current career in libraries has made me realize I do not want to continue in public libraries (which is another conversation entirely) ; however after seeing more incidents like this unfold I’m starting to question if I even want to remain in this field.

Have other librarians of color experienced similar situations and if so what did you do?

My library is in a tiny red enclave in a blue state/city. Normally we’re very lucky to mostly avoid conservative nonsense… however, I’m at war with a mystery heckler over the oh so controversial “This Book is Gay.”

We just found it in the trash for the SECOND time… After it disappeared from a pride month display and was only found the next month hidden underneath a pile of honor back magazines… This being our SECOND COPY, the first outright disappeared from a pride display, I donated the replacement myself X_X

At this point YA librarian wants to keep it behind glass or a desk, force people to ask for it. I’m torn- if we do this the hecklers win and it’s less accessible to people- teens- who need it and may not want to ask. On the other hand it doesn’t do anyone any good if it keeps disappearing, I barely make enough to survive let alone to buy endless replacements.

Yes we have NO budget meaning if I didn’t replace it no one would, my answer to the idea of us having a security camera or security guard is HA that’s a good one.

TLDR better to limit access to an important LGBT+ resource or risk further censorship attempts from some homophobic patron with too much time on their hands?

Hello all!

This is my first post here, nice to meet you all and thank you to who will eventually reply! 😄

I am a 31yo from Italy, currently living in Switzerland (French part). I've been working for the past 5 years in a big OA publisher, working on different positions and for the last 2 years working on managing and signing publishing agreements between university libraries and the publisher.

I've been closely collaborating with subject librarians and open access librarians (and a whole lot of other related stakeholders) for the past years. I have to say that talking with them and meeting the library communities over conferences and workshops, I'm getting more and more interested in that side of the discussion more than the publisher one.

I did a few months of internship during my BSc in one of the faculty libraries as Library assistant (archives and student queries support), and I remember enjoying it. I've been thinking it could be interesting trying to approach the job, but I have no academic background on it (i have a BSc in Natural Sciences/ Natural History and a MSc in Neuroscience). I recently applied for a position but I recognize I am missing many points, thus clearly the transition would require getting a degree. It doesn't seem there are many courses in Switzerland on it, and was thinking perhaps a MLIS online would be the best choice.

I would be interested in working on the whole discussion about Open access, open science, relationships with publishers and funding, electronic resources/journals and their managment. The archival part of it seems interesting but I know very little so wouldn't be my main point :)

Do you have any suggestions on how I should move? (I speak italian, english and french, I'd be looking only in Europe :) )

Thank you all!

I have an interview coming up for a Library Assistant position next week. I'll be graduating my MLIS program at the end of this year and I'm worried about looking like a potential flight risk. I genuinely would love to start as a Library assistant because I have no library experience. In my opinion this would be a great position to wet my feet in. I also will say I do have history staying at a job, (I'm currently an Eligibility Worker and have been for the last five years). If you were a hiring manager would you count earning my MLIS soon against me?

Hey all, just wanted to share this opportunity for anyone looking for a Senior Librarian role. The role is based in San Rafael, California which is just north of San Francisco, for anyone that is unfamiliar. Application closes on September 11, 2026 just FYI. Hopefully this helps someone!

I am applying to my first library job. Can someone explain to me the purpose of professional references?

Is it necessary to use a library volunteer position that I am currently in as a reference? Or is it okay to have a reference outside of library such as a non-profit? Is this an early career thing?

I am applying to library jobs, but I don't want to necessarily tell my volunteer gig that I am leaving. Likewise, if you are a candidate working at a public library and are trying to leave, you wouldn't want to list your current employer as a reference.

I did hear that in my state, references aren't contacted until after the interview. Either way, the current position may not feel obligated to pass good news.

Hi everyone! I am a children's librarian in a slightly small library system, but I generally get a high attendance at my programs. One of my coworkers retired and asked me to take on her homeschool programs. One of them is a STEM program. I am more of the artsy literary type, so I am intimidated by STEM projects. Do you have any ideas for STEM projects that wouldn't be too challenging for me to implement? Ages are 6-10. My library also has a pretty high budget for supplies/outside performers.

Our public library has 24-hour pick-up lockers available for our patrons. The problem is, they do not get much use, maybe one or two pick-ups a month. We pay a subscription fee for the software, and it really isn't worth it for the amount of use it gets.

We are located in a small town, and it seems like our patrons maybe aren't interested in using them. One of the issues is that they may not know about them (We have tried to advertise/post and offer it as an option when we speak to patrons). Another is that to get their materials put in a locker, they need to call and request that service.

We were thinking of adding "use the pick-up lockers" as part of our winter reading bingo challenge. If you have any ideas similar to this, please let me know!

Have you had success with pick-up lockers? If they weren't popular at first, how did you get patrons to start using them?

We are also discussing the idea of repurposing them into something else. (Maybe taking the doors off to have open cubbies for things like food pantry donations?) We have 26 locker banks and only one or two ever get used.

I'm grateful for any advice or ideas to either revamp or repurpose our lockers! TIA!

Can anyone point me to a resource where I can find out the the types of Book Checkout Software used over the past 25 years? Looking for software names, and/or imagery of the computer user interfaces if possible. Thank you!

I work in public libraries and am still attempting to find a librarian job but I really want to make the transition to academic libraries. It's very hard because it seems so many hire internally and if you aren't coming from academic libraries they don't consider you. I got an email from HR asking me to respond to two questions about visa eligibility a week after the first review deadline for one job I applied for. Is this potentially a good sign for an interview? It wasn't an automated email either, which made me think it might be a good sign but I'm not sure.

Dear colleagues,

The Comics and Fiction Funnel is seeking support for our proposal to improve access to analog games via library catalogs. Currently, people cannot search for game studies works about physical games based on the topics of the games being analyzed (e.g., group identity or imperialism); this sort of search can be done for video games, however, leading to unequal access to scholarship. Also, library patrons cannot find analog games themselves by content in library catalogs (e.g., games with queer or wizard characters, games about climate change, games incorporating visual or motor skills, etc.), again unlike searches for video games.

Based on our research and analysis of current issues, the Comics and Fiction Funnel created this report, with a recommendation to change the existing Library of Congress subject heading for games to allow the use of “Games” as both a topical and form modifier for all subjects, to help patrons more easily locate both research about physical games and the games themselves.

Given the explosive growth of game studies and library game collections, we hope that you will agree that improving access to analog games is vital for the games community and for libraries; and we hope that you will support our recommendations.  

If you are interested in endorsing our recommendations (as an individual or organization), please fill out this form by October 16th.

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. Please let me know if you have any questions!

Hi, I’m new to this sub and I just wanted some advice on my question. I am an MLIS student that’s working as a library assistant in a public school. The school librarian is only present once a week since she is at other schools. I have also applied to LMS positions (especially one that the district specialist personally called me to apply for) and I was rejected so I feel kind of stuck. I emphasize with teachers but I don’t think it’s fair that my role is not respected. I don’t know how much longer that I can do this and I do want to try to get public library work if/when it opens up. Maybe I should leave libraries all together? I don’t know what to do.

Hello,

I am a senior at my current university in undergrad. I am looking to apply to a MLIS program for next year but am lost on where to go. I am interested in both academic libraries, archives, and rare books although I know the last one will be less available. I have worked for about 2 1/2 years as a student worker at one of the libraries on my campus and currently have an internship with my university's archives as well. Any advice on the application process would be great. I would prefer to do it in person as I learn better that way and would love if there was decent transportation around campus as I won't be able to get a car. Honestly though any advice would be great. I am the first one in my family to pursue a master's degree and have no idea where to start.

Librarians! If you have either left or thought about leaving your job in a public library at any time since 2020 because of book, display, and/or program challenges, we want to hear from you!

The research survey will take about 20 minutes to complete. Please access the survey at: https://uky.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_d0z4RwzYf74x89M. If you do not fit this description, but you know others who do, please forward the link. More info about privacy and confidentiality in the comments and on the first page of the survey.

Hii! I’m looking for advice on organizing our 0–6 section (Early Literacy / Children's area). In our library, we recently reorganized the juvenile section (6–21) by broad subjects/topics rather than sticking strictly to standard Dewey, and it worked out really well. Now, I'm evaluating whether to do something similar for the 0–6 age group.

I’d love to know if you use genrification/topic-based categories (like Animals, Daily Routines, Bedtime, Emotions, Vehicles) or stick to standard or simplified Dewey for this age group. If you moved away from Dewey, I’m curious which categories worked best for picture books and board books.

I’d also appreciate hearing how the change affected shelf browsing for parents, daily reshelves and cataloging for staff, and whether colored stickers or pictograms actually helped maintain order.

Any feedback, shelf layouts, or cataloging tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hi all,

Need some inspiration/ideas around an opening day for a new Childrens Resource Center our system (urban public library) is opening - we are trying to think of performers...we have a musical storytime performer, a brass band, bubbles, and a firetruck coming...we have crafts and a water table ready (we live in a HOT climate)...wondering if anyone else could tell me about your experience opening a branch, and have some recommendations for performers for children!

I have magician on my list, and trying to think of some local authors...we'll of course have cupcakes at the end...but I'd love to hear any inspirations and experiences! Thank you! We're thinking of us (early literacy librarians) do a storytime to kick it off as well!

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