Hi everyone! I apologize for bargining in as I'm not exactly a librarian but an assitant, but I started working in a small college library, I see a lot of our older more used books kinda "falling over" like this, what would be a good way to help these books, is there anything that can be done at low/no cost? When I see this I usually take all the books out of the shelf and try to put them back as straight as possible, but they kinda sag like this again shortly after.

hi all, currently researching graduate programs as I am interested in becoming a school librarian. I have 1.5 years experience in academic libraries and am seeking roles to gain more experience now. I am located in Illinois, but may relocate at some point. Illinois has two programs (U of I Urbana-Champaign and Dominican University) that offer a combined MLIS, teaching certificate, and school library media endorsement all in one program. is anyone aware of other ALA-accredited programs in the U.S. that offer all three in one degree?

Hello!

I recently got an offer to become a public library children's librarian! At my current job, which is like a page/reference position, I work with children quite often with reference questions and have helped my children's librarian with some of the passive programs. But while getting my MLIS, I focused on adult programs and topics.

Are there any tips that might be helpful for switching over to a children's librarian position from adult services? And just overall what are some things I should know about being a children's librarian?

Hello librarians! I'm a public librarian and I generally enjoy my work, but this isn't what I originally planned to do. Throughout my MLIS I wanted to work in either academics or a government library, but I lucked out and got a full time public librarian job immediately after graduation. I've been in a public librarian ever since (almost 5 years) but lately I've been considering trying to make the switch out of the public library. I do have a year of academic library experience (4 months as a library assistant, 8 months as a student librarian) but I'm feeling pretty stuck in the public library.

Anyone who was made the switch from public libraries to either academic or special libraries - how did you do it? Any tips would be great!

I've been working in academic libraries for 5+ years in various paraprofessional roles and am currently working as a library associate in a special library at a major university on the east coast in the US. I decided to go for a part time MLIS a few years ago since I was enjoying my work, but now after graduating I'm feeling incredibly worn down by my job from budget cuts, layoffs, union busting, and being taken advantage of by my manager in our small, busy, and very strained library. After layoffs I've been forced to do 3 jobs at once trying to keep everything running and am always being given more and more responsibility with no extra compensation or title changes. Supervisors in positions of power know that early-career library workers like me are willing to let our roles expand way past their original job descriptions in order to gain more experience with the hopes of advancing. No amount of quiet quitting or malicious compliance can really improve my situation and I feel so stuck and hurt. I'm just not enjoying this kind of work anymore and haven't been able to find a new job in the field. Not to mention that it seems like paraprofessionals at most other institutions have been experiencing the same treatment. Anyone else feeling this way?

Lots of librarians around me are supportive and have been telling me to see things through. But the field feels oversaturated and job searching has been tough, even in my area which consistently has lots of openings. It feels like "librarian" (exempt, salaried) jobs are impossible to land if you haven't already done that exact job previously. Employers don't seem interested in hiring enthusiastic, early-career librarians who are eager and looking for development. How else are paraprofessionals supposed to move up in the chain anymore? Working as a paraprofessional in a very high COL area making poverty wages, even after standing up for myself at work, taking care of myself at home, caring less and quiet quitting...all signs are pointing to finding a new career.

Has anyone done anything actionable to put themselves into a better situation after feeling burnt out and hopeless as a paraprofessional in an academic library? Maybe switched careers entirely, found other fulfilling tangential work, etc.? Any recommendations for fields that like hiring employees with backgrounds in libraries?

Obviously, burnout and feelings of disillusionment are huge in our field right now no matter what area or level of work. We all work incredibly hard just for the privilege of getting by on low wages and demanding work that is ever-expanding. It's hard to feel like your job is just a "stepping stone" when you want to use your knowledge and experience specific to your institution to do good work. Yet the moment you quit, there will be a line out the door full of other enthusiastic, early-career librarians who are willing to trade their own mistreatment for experience. It's quite sad to see this happen over and over again. Hope everyone out there in library land is doing okay.

TLDR: Paraprofessional trying to do everything right but feeling disillusioned and ready to leave the field.

How do you get your kids to read junior fiction that is NOT graphic novels? Some of our series get read, specifically the Creepover books and Losa Greenwald, but the one-off novels are rarely touched. Half haven't been borrowed more than once in the past five years. Our collection is largely new books (last 15 years, if not last 5!) and all popular and award-winning titles recommended by the major publishers.

We're about to undertake some major weeding to allow for new items purchased with grant. I can come to grips with weeding a lot of these great books, but I don't want to waste money on new books that also won't leave the shelves.

I'm new to this - finished my MLIS in April - so I don't know what I don't know. Is this a promotion issue where I need to market the books more? Is this an issue that is so common it is almost inevitable?

And a further question - our graphic novel baskets are arranged alphabetically, but some of the baskets are labelled by series name and others by author name - e.x. "Rick Riordan" is beside "Sweet Valley High". I get wanting to label things the same way kids will intuitively look for them but it makes me a teensy bit insane to have the mishmash. Would you re-label and re-alphabetize if you were me?

Thanks in advance!

Im a month in as a library media specialist at a combo elementary/middle school. Im finding the classroom management very difficult. Today was extra hard. A 6th grade class of students had a sub today. They came in being loud, not following instructions, hitting each other with the space savers, throwing books. I told them to please not be loud about four times, if it continued I would send them back to class. I sent four students because they were being extra loud. They got upset at me and told me they weren't being loud that they wanted to just check out the books. I told them they needed to go back to class because they were being loud. They left but we're angry. I sent an email to the teacher explaining the situation and told him that he could send the stude ts later this week. I feel bad thag I sent the kids back to class because I feel that the teacher and the principal (my boss) will get mad at me, or they go and the students tell their parents I kicked them out. sighs I also dont like doing that. I was left alone with the students, which Im not supposed to, and they were not listening to me. Anyways what do you all think? Anyone else work at a school? Also, I have no experience in this a d have no degrees in this. I have worked for this school district for 2 yrs though. Thank you.

Hi everyone, I think this is my first time posting on here. I lurk around on this sub a lot reading post. I am mostly wanting to ask some questions regarding an MLIS/information science/library science program/degree. For some context on myself, I have about 2.5 years of experience working in libraries, specifically in academic+public libraries. I don't work in libraries at the moment but I am seriously considering going back to school for an MLIS degree. Primarily because at least in the city I live in, it seems the only jobs available in libraries are part-time page jobs and anything full-time essentially requires the degree. I also would say my motivations for wanting to work in libraries are primarily because, A) I look back at my previous experience in libraries to be where I was the most happy and found my "niche" so to speak. B) I am someone who finds a lot of fulfillment in working in spaces where I feel like I am actually helping people and not with any strings attached. and C) during my time working in both academic/public libraries, I found discovery all the things librarians actually do to be really interesting and more dynamic than a lot of people assume (most people just assume all the job is just checking out books to the public). Anywho, my questions regarding MLIS is

1. The Best Method of Getting Your Foot in The Door: So I have noticed a lot on this sub of people saying essentially that it's a waste of time and money to get an MLIS degree unless you either already work in a library currently or you have like 10+ years working in one and that's the only circumstance to ever get the degree. I spent the past 2 weeks going by every branch library in my city and asking this question to branch managers & people who work at libraries at my local University. Most of the answers I have received were "Don't let one discourage you from the other" basically, yes it's good if you already work at a library and go back to school for the degree. But also, at least in public libraries, a lot of positions that open up are just part-time page positions and you can't really get anything full-time unless you have the degree. So it kinda seems like, sure experience matters, but waiting 10 years working part-time to then get a degree is not in the cards for me. So can anyone here share their experiences with getting the degree and finding a job either during or after getting an MLIS?
2. Classes: What was taking classes like? Were they more directly hands-on than lecture based? Is the expectation you should know most of the material beforehand or is there still space to learn new things? I just ask this because I have a friend who went through a masters program to become a nurse and she told the expectations were essentially "undergrad is where you learn everything but grad school is applying it directly". I am sure its different between programs but I just wonder if it's like that for MLIS
3. Finding Your Specific Role: So for me personally I have narrowed down I do want to work primarily in Academic Libraries or Public Libraries. Specifically in Academic ones with a focus in ACTAL librarianship/creative technologies. This is because when I worked at an academic library it was within the Maker Space/Tech Lab of my universities library and I enjoyed that very much. In Public libraries, I am looking to be a reference librarian or a Mends Specialist. Do you get to learn these skills in a MLIS program? and if so, do you have to figure it out at the very beginning?
4. Librarianship Outside Of The US: So because of cost and being as financially smart way for me is to get the degree from my local university, which is a ALA Accredited program. But I also have dual citizenship with The Netherlands and the United States (I live in the USA). Would getting a MLIS degree in the US be useful in the EU or really anywhere abroad? I just ask because I am aware that for jobs, this would be something I am willing or may have to move for, but I just want to know if anyone here has worked in Libraries outside the US and if they accept someone with an MLIS degree from the US?

I'm new to this sub, but I'm completing my MLIS this December and have been seeking a job as a public librarian (my state doesn't require an MA for Librarian I positions). I received a job offer as a Library Service Professional III at an academic library that pays significantly more than an entry-level librarian position and has more supervisory duties.

I guess my question is: how will this be perceived by future recruiters if I segue into public libraries? In the hierarchy of library roles, how does an LSP differ from a Librarian?

I'm an MLIS candidate in my final semester of school at the University of Alabama. Currently, I'm enrolled in an audiovisual archives course that requires an interview with a professional in the field. I'm a metadata archivist with digitization experience at a small university on the East Coast, and while I could interview a coworker, I'd love to hear from someone who works with AV materials. I'm looking for archivists who love the technical side of the job. My group is working under tight time constraints, and we're not sure we'll present in the next three weeks... the professor hasn't assigned slots yet. Looking forward to hearing from anyone interested, and thanks for reading! :D

I saw an interesting job posting on idealist.org and thought I'd share it here for any New Yorkers in the job market. Please note I don't work at this organization and know nothing about it or the job (other than the pay isn't great for New York but, well); I'm just sharing in case it helps someone here find a job. Good luck to anyone applying.

Howdy all. I have an interview coming up for this library media technician and I was hoping to get any and all insight as to what to expect during this next stage in hiring. What should I prepare myself for?

Career context: mlis with mostly public experience as an assistant

I was hired mid September. I have experience in education, but not in a library setting. When I applied, many of the listed duties looked more like secretarial work, and I thought I would be helping an actual librarian. After I was hired and had a meeting with administration, they mentioned I would be conducting 30-minute library sessions for all 15 classes, which includes read-alouds, lessons, and checkouts. I started a month ago and I feel I was thrown in there with no guidance. I've been receiving help from other librarians in a FB group, but I'm very limited with time because they want the library open ASAP. The library was a mess and has not been used in two years. No teachers or staff have reached out to help. The only help I've received is from students and two parents. I also have no checkout system because they don't want to wait for me to do inventory. I know a lot of books are going to go missing. I'm feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. The library is set to open next week and have no clue on what I'll be doing or presenting to the students. Sometimes I just feel like putting my two weeks notice.

not sure if this has been asked before, but i'm currently looking in to applying to grad school for my mls for fall 2027. i have a dilemma: most of the advice i've seen on here says that the network you build through your mls is the most valuable benefit and is what helps you get jobs. i was originally planning on going abroad (i'm based in the US) for my mls, and applying to university college london's program. however, i know that after i finish my degree, i will be immediately moving to los angeles california, as that is where my long term partner currently resides. does it not make sense to build a network of connections in a place that i won't be staying in post-grad and that has little connection to where i will be? should i consider a school (maybe ucla) in california instead to build that network where i will be starting my career? any advice would be much appreciated.

This is an update from this post. https://www.reddit.com/r/librarians/s/L1nVHWHZrY

But I got an interview finally 🎊🎉👏
Its for a cataloguing and librarian role and it’s within a creative academy. I’m really excited but this is my first time being interviewed for a position like this.

Background: I have some experience in archival and librarian both from studies and from volunteering.

I get so excited and blank in interviews, I am really nervous but I want to prepare for it. The interview is next week.

I’m a public librarian thinking of transitioning to a school library position (not elementary). For those who have done this, is it something you’d recommend? It seems like it should be worth it simply for the fact that you’re not going to have to work weekends/summers. I’d love to hear others’ experiences.

I’m fully aware of how abysmal the job market is for librarians in general. I have a STEM PhD and substantial job experience in my field. To what extent (if any) does that benefit career prospects if I were to make a career shift and complete an MLIS, particularly if my preference would be working in an academic library?

Hi everyone! I’m a fairly new youth services librarian at a suburban library in the U.S. with a big Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese community. Our juvenile world languages collection is embarrassingly outdated, so I’ve taken it on myself to fix that...

I know Brodart, Ingram, etc. have pretty limited selections in these languages, so I’ve been doing my own digging. So far I’ve found:

• Book Window / Tsai Fong Books
• Pan Asian Publications

Has anyone worked with either of these? I would love to hear how they’ve been for selection, quality, and shelf-ready services. And if you know of other vendors (or small publishers or shops) worth checking out, I’m open to any advice.

(I have family heading to Vietnam soon, and I’m honestly tempted to just ask them to haul back a suitcase of books. 😅)

I’m currently in an LIS program and am staunchly anti AI. Recently, my university pivoted to a pro AI stance and have incorporated a variety of AI programs into their curriculum. They claimed that alumni said they were not accurately prepared for the level of AI they are asked to use in their jobs. It’s been very disheartening and disappointing to see the immediate capitulation to generative AI my professors have all done, and I’m starting to lose hope in my degree path. I’m wondering if this job is right for me, although it is a bit too late to go back. Do you find AI to be something you constantly deal with/are asked to use during your everyday activities? How do you deal with the emotional weight of being forced to use AI, if you aren’t an AI user?

Edit for clarification: my stance is largely centered on generative AI and its environmental and ethical implications. I understand that the use of other forms of AI is prevalent within libraries and has been for decades. The classes I am in are not choosing to acknowledge those models and are instead pushing for students to offload cognitive thought (allowing for students to not learn how to accomplish these tasks on their own and therefore not developing a foundation of information that they can then use to verify an AI’s answer) onto various AI chat bots and services.

I appreciate all of your responses and perspectives, as they have been helpful in shedding light on the ways AI impacts your careers.

*VPL-Vancouver Public Library

I had a very good performance review for my Substitute Librarian job. When I asked if there was anything I could improve on, she suggested I could work on my readers advisory (not for any particular reason, just something that’s always useful).

I am trying to figure out how to better develop those skills into something that I can clearly articulate to someone. If a full-time position opens up, I want to show how I’ve taken that suggestion to heart and made improvements.

I recently found out I have ADHD and am looking for different strategies that can help me at work. I try and take notes and lists, but organizing them is difficult and it’s hard to focus sometimes. If I have to describe it, it’s like I’m trying to assemble a puzzle in my head where the pieces are the different criteria for a needed book, and I have a time limit (impatient parent).

As it is now, I have a general idea of what books would be good for grades, what ones are popular, and books that I’ve read that I like. Our catalog also has Syndetics Unbound, so we can better find specific Lexile and AR levels, along with age ranges. I’ve thought about making a list, but get tripped up on how to organize it.

Any advice or tips you can provide would be a big help.

Hello, today was my first day as a library assistant in youth services.

For background, I worked in Circulation at our downtown branch, which most of the time was always busy.

When I got at my new branch today, I was in shock to see how calm and quiet everything was.

I'm just trying to get my thoughts out right now. Everything with this job happened so fast and I just left a branch I was very comfortable in with awesome co-workers. I'm excited to keep learning more here though and will look at the positives!

so once I finish my MLIS I want to relocate to different state (NY). ill prob have 4 years experience of teaching by then w professional license in FL. with that being said, how likely is it that I'll get hired as a school librarian if im applying out of state? id be willing to relocate ofc but just wondering if it'll hurt my chances. should I perhaps try transitioning into teacher role there if that fails? I just want NY pay scale and pension lmao but id be nice to also do what I love.