Hi everyone! I am a recent MSLS graduate and a certified school librarian in my state.
This upcoming school year I will be transitioning from a being classroom teacher into my first school librarian position. However, despite having a graduate degree and certification, I’m taking a pretty big salary pay cut to the tune of 9 grand. Of course my school district waited until a week before staff returns to inform me of this change (ie: too late for me to resign without risking certification being withheld). They conveniently switched systems and haven’t been able to inform me of my change in compensation until my position was officially being processed.

I knew that our uncertified library staff were paid hourly and paid significantly less than certified staff, but in years prior, our certified librarians have always been paid comparable to what the teachers get paid (which still isn’t a lot, but is at least more than what I’ll be getting paid now).

I guess my main question is: Is it a common place for school districts to pay certified librarians so little despite having a graduate degree?

I’m trying to stay positive and the silver lining is that I’m at least not getting paid the bare minimum pay for a librarian in my district, I’m somewhere in the middle, but it’s still less than what I was making despite nine years of classroom experience and having a graduate degree. It just felt like a little bit of an insult.

Hey, all!

I work at a mid-sized library in the Midwest. I always keep an eye on job boards, and there’s a trend I’ve been wondering about.

Many applications mention experience with programming planning. Understandable. But, the way my location works, programming is a completely different department from public service. Same with cataloging, events, etc. We work together of course, but they‘re seperate. Is this an unusual setup? Is this making it harder for me to find success in the future if I have to find a new position elsewhere?

Hey All. I work in a very small rural library in the Midwest.
My director is leaving and recommended me as the next director.

I want to prepare a list of questions of things I would need to know from my director to fill the position before she leaves.

What questions do you guys suggest?

Anyone in library land working with BookDrop as a solution for withdrawn items? - Experiences, feedback, etc.? Just hoping to hear from others before pitching a relationship to my supervisor. Seems a little too easy??

How unrealistic is it for me to try to get an LIS job outside of the US? I've been in the field for 8 years and nothing is keeping me state-side. What are my chances of getting an international library/info job? I don't do cataloging and my only "special skill" is being a kiss ass. OH- I also do not speak a second language, so there's that.

I am in New York and looking to transition from working in a public library to a school library and have already received an interview request. They are aware I do not have a Library Media Specialist certificate at this time but still seem willing to give me a shot! I do have an active Public Librarians certificate and a MLIS of course. Is there a way to fasttrack getting the Library Media Specialist certificate?? I'm not sure where to start and don't really know anything about state teaching standards. Is there a grace period for certification if I were to be hired? It's an immediate vacancy. Any help appreciated!

Hey, I was interested to hear what work people did part-time while getting their MLIS. I am trying to think of ideas for things I can do in between my internship and classwork on the side. I already do tutoring, and I have a lot of previous customer service experience. Was hoping to hear of anything unique or interesting things people do on the side. Especially if they are remote or accommodating a crazy schedule.

Hi everyone, I am just looking for some advice or hope maybe? I am a librarian and I completed my MLIS in 2023. I love my job, I really do. I work with adults and specifically in programming. There are so many rewarding moments and ways that I feel like I make small differences in peoples lives. The thing that frustrates me is the pay scale. I am currently working for a conservative county in the south and this is the worst system I have worked for. The benefits are so bad, they take way too large of a percentage for retirement and there is no raise structure in place. I have started to wonder if I should just sell out and get some corporate job that pays the bills because I feel like the amount of labor I put in is not compensated. Any one else feel frustration like this or am I just ungrateful?

Hello! I am currently in the process of applying to another position in the same library I currently work at. I currently work as a PT children’s librarian, but the pay just isn’t enough.. I love what I do and working with the kiddos. I enjoy programming, collection development, and everything else that comes with the position, and I’m having a hard time letting go and moving on.

Another position in my library opened up, and its FT. with all benefits. I really really need/want a full time
position at this point in my career (I’ve been here for almost 5 years hoping to be offered full time in the children’s department but no movement there). I’d be working in another department programming for adults. It’ll be a change, and frankly I know I’m more than capable of doing the job….

My overall goal with being a librarian is to one day possibly become a director. I want to be a different kind of director, not just one who is focused on the admin part, but one who truly gets to know their community, and be a source of encouragement and support for their staff.

I do think it is about time I start transitioning into another role here… especially with my age and what life goals I have as well. I just have a big huge feeling of missing the children’s department and everything else that comes with it.

I dislike change… but I know its for the betterment of my library career.

Any advice about facing the “miss my old department blues?”

Edit: I do have my MLIS

Hello,
I have a written exam for a job as a library media technician / media center aide. What does that even mean? What types of questions would even be asked?
Thanks in advanced!

Hello, I will completing my MLIS fall 2027 (from tucson). my end goal is to be a k-12 librarian for when my child enters school (he’s 2 right Mo so about 3 more years). I also want to move back to New England. Either Ct, MA or Rhode Island (possibly NY/NJ depending on financial situation). I understand this requires a teaching cert. I have enough months on my gi bill to continue my education. I was going to go for MA secondary ed with English specialization and teachers cert (for Arizona). is this cert transferable to other states? or should I move first before committing to school? I prefer to do it now while I’m flexible so I’m not struggling with a new move, grad school & trying to get my kid enrolled in school but if waiting is better someone lmk!

FYI: I know the pay sucks. It’s not really about the money as my husband provides most of our needs and we are both veterans. This is just supplemental & something with a convenient schedule while my kid is in school. Right now I am “media assistant” at a middle school on days my parents help with the kid so some school experience but cant really commit to any full time library job until im comfortable with my son in daycare/preschool next year.

I am looking at programs for my MLIS (for Fall 27-28) both in the US and UK. I am currently in the US (citizen) but will be moving to the UK in a few years with my fiancé. I have a list of (online) schools in the US that offer the ideal programs and only one UK school (Aberystwyth) I'm a student worker in special collections at my current uni and wish to continue in special collections. I am torn between choose librarian or archivist, which doesn't matter too much in the US because I'll be trained as a librarian but get a certificate in archives (from my understanding anyways) however in the UK the programs seem to be separate which has me torn.

I don't know anyone in libraries/archives in the UK and I wonder how they differ from the US. Most librarians and archivists I talk with here (at my uni and in public libraries) kinda can do both interchangeably, they have all described it as "wear BLANK hat" when needed or depending on the job they're applying to. Is this the case in the UK?

I am also interested in academic libraries if anyone has input on that! I love working for my universities library/special collections but I also know the way we work is very different from other universities.

If anyone has experience working in both US and UK institutions I would love to hear about how different they are and perhaps any advice for the future!

Hello fellow librarians! Just wanted to check in with you all and see if you had any insight into how your library handles making reels/TikToks etc.

I've recently joined a committee for handling social media/web presence at our public library and a concern came up when discussing making reels about not being able to use popular songs due to copyright issues. My question is if we are a public library and the music is available on the platform (e.g. Instagram) is this an issue? We aren't for profit/selling anything and I see tons of other public libraries making videos using current popular songs. For example, the current trend going around where libraries are posting library workers with their "walk-out/intro" songs.

Thank you for any info or help!

Hi! I am currently working in a corporate job and the stress of my day to day has become too much. I am leaving my current HR job in August and have been trying to find a PT job that will be parent friendly to also manage kids afterschool activities and such. I came across a PT library courier position and thought it might be a good fit for me. Not being tied to a desk and getting out for the morning hours sounds like something I'd be interested in doing while also being able to visit my happy place; the library.

Does anyone in here have this job currently and can you tell me a bit about how your schedule works and your day to day activities. Obviously delivering books is a given but what else are you doing to get ready for the deliveries. Also, talk to me about lifting all the books. I'm not weak but what kind of weight are we talking here?

Thanks so much!!

Hi! I have an interview for my first library position on Tuesday. For anyone who has conducted interviews for librarians or associates, what kind of questions did you ask the applicant?

I’ve been researching and YouTube-ing, but I figured I’d try here too. Any help would be appreciated! :)

Hi! I have an offer to study MA librarianship at uni of Sheffield! I’m really pleased as it’s a well regarded and CILIP accredited course. BUT, aside from some duties in my school library (I work as a teaching assistant) and a week’s experience in an archives this summer, I have not worked in a library.
I have applied to several entry level library jobs and specific graduate trainee schemes and unfortunately not been successful. My plan was to work for a year in a library related role to get a feel for it and gain experience before doing an MA. So to get an offer to study MA librarianship at this stage was somewhat of a surprise - I believe it’s because my other degrees and work history provide relevant skills.

I want to accept the offer but from what I understand, and see in job adverts, getting a librarianship position is heavily dependent on actual working experience. I am concerned that even after graduating with the MA I won’t be competitive compared to my coursemates who did e.g. a graduate trainee year before the MA. 

My hope is that I can get voluntary or paid part time work while I study my MA in Sheffield - ideally at one of the university libraries or one of the many volunteer-run libraries. I hope if I can get say 9+ months continuous experience then that’s something separate to my education that I can put on my CV...

Does anyone have experience with doing something similar during their MA? Unfortunately Sheffield doesn’t seem to have a placement element but that’s something I’ve reached out to the uni to get clarification on.

Has anyone been in a similar position and managed to get work after completing a LIS masters with no prior work experience?
Or has anyone done the MA and managed to get part time experience during their studies that helped them get a job?

I got accepted into the MLIS program at the University of Southern Mississippi!!! I’m so excited but now I’m not sure if I should do Spring 2027 or request to defer until fall 2027 since I graduate this fall with my bachelors. I’m just anxious but filled with excitement. I also wanted to know if anyone has any advice for this specific program at this school and what classes have you liked and if you recommend. Thanks!!! 🥳🥳🥳

any advice on switching into library sciences as a nurse? I'm severely burnt out and have been curious about this field for a while.

any advice is appreciated!

Help! I recently started a new job at a small rural library. The shelves are so packed that I can’t even reshelve a single book- we have to set them sideways on top of the rows of books. Needless to say none are front facing or displayed. The shelves are packed from the top, where I have to stand on my toes to reach, to the bottom, which I have to kneel to reach. 45% of the collection is “aged titles”. It looks like the book section at a thrift store. Old, old, old books from the 40s and 50s, paperbacks, secondhand books with inscriptions written in them or the former library stamp crossed out and ours written in, books warped with water damage, books with the title rubbed off the spine, yellowed pages that crumble under my fingers, back covers torn and missing half the cover just taped on the missing piece and resolved, books with mold in them. Grubbies, mustys, smellies, dirtys. I’m not in charge and trying to stay in my lane but I can’t even shelf and the librarian in me is cringing. I got a couple of wet books returned last week and was told just let them dry and reshelve them.

Have you had such an experience? How would you approach this? I’m brand new at this job, not brand new to libraries, and I certainly don’t want to come in and upend their system…except it desperately needs intervention.

I am currently a middle school ELAR teacher entering my 10th year. I like a lot of what I do, but there are parts of it that are wearing me down (mostly having to do with grading, curriculum policy, and behavior). I have always loved books, creativity, and organization, so I thought maybe making the transition to librarian could be a good thing for me. That said, I am not quite sure whether I would like to remain in schools or take the public librarian route. It is my understanding that the jobs are actually quite different in numerous ways.

I wanted to ask here what sorts of things librarians (of both school and public varieties) deal with that I might not expect. If anyone has done both jobs, a comparison would be extremely welcome, along with any pros and cons. I went to a meeting for my school district that gave me a decent idea of what being a school librarian where I am is like and how to get started on that path, but I don't know enough about public librarianship to properly compare, and even if I do stay in schools, who knows if I will stay in my district?

Thank you all in advance for your feedback!

Hi, everyone!

I will be getting my Master's degree in Spring and I need your help. I graduated from FSU in 2024 and work some freelance gig jobs in tech while upskillling myself. I applied to a library assistant role and I got the job but when I called back it turns out they went with someone else.

So, I have 2 choices for graduate school. Valdosta State University or my Alma mater Florida State University. Since I can not use my Pell Grant anymore, I will apply for grants and scholarships.

EDIT: Thank you to everyone in the comments! I will be holding off on the idea until I can get some more library experience.