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Finding a job

The best job search strategy will greatly depend on the type of job you are interested in. Starting with the Me, a librarian? section of this website will help you navigate the sometimes complicated decision-making process.

The American Library Association has a placement service in conjunction with each annual conference (usually held in June), Midwinter Meeting (usually held in January), and division conference. There are usually several hundreds of jobs posted for approximately three months per conference. Visit the current conference website for more information.

Director and other upper level management positions are often posted nationally. Page, library assistant, and part-time jobs are often posted in-house. This may not mean that you cannot apply, but you may need to fill out an employment application for the library of your choice.

The American Library Association's JobLIST includes both professional and support staff positions in libraries.

In addition, there are several ways to locate libraries:

The most extensive compilation of job listings is the American Library Association's "Guide to employment sources in the library and information professions" by the Office of Human Resource Development and Recruitment. Other excellent sources are Library Job Postings on the Internet by Sarah Johnson and LISJobs.com by Rachel Singer Gordon.

There are many factors to consider when looking for a job. LIScareer.com offers many excellent articles in this area, as well as discussions of preparing for an interview, researching your prospective employer.

  • Will you fit into the library's organizational culture?
  • What factors are there to consider per compensation (hours per week, schedule requirements, transportation/parking costs, retirement, health benefits, vacation, reviews/raises, opportunities for promotion, training, membership dues paid, conference attendance, deferred compensation plans, cafeteria plans, cost of living)
  • Relocating?
  • How flexible do you need to be for first job?

read more about it:

LISCareer
A companion website to Priscilla Shontz's book, Jump Start Your Career in Library and Information Science. It offers career development resources for new librarians and information professionals, MLS students and those considering a library-related career.

LISJobs
Lisjobs.com is a comprehensive guide to online job resources for librarians and information professionals by Rachel Singer Gordon.

The Information Professional's Guide to Career Development Online (2002) a book by Sarah L. Nesbeitt and Rachel Singer Gordon

Grands Rapids (Mich.)
Public Library