Placement Center
Welcome to the ALA JobLIST Placement & Career Development Service!
For more than 55 years, the American Library Association's (ALA) Placement Service has provided opportunities for employers and job seekers to meet, network, and achieve success in reaching their employment goals.
Designed to give employers and job seekers access to information on a year-round basis, ALA JobLIST is the official ALA job site. Resumes and job openings should be posted there.
Events and activities held in the ALA JobLIST Placement & Career Development Center are designed to help job seekers retool their skills, prepare for job searches, and connect with employers and others. They are intended for people at every stage of their careers--not just new graduates. Employers are encouraged to interact with job seekers at every level.
Upcoming Events
- ALA 2025 Annual Conference
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Conference Dates: June 26 - 30, 2025
For information on activities related to jobs and career development, continue to visit this page. You may also contact Beatrice Calvin at (800) 545-2433, ext. 4280.
For information on the full ALA 2025 Annual Conference & Exhibition, visit the ALA Annual Conference website.
*Note: Our top priority is your health and safety as we prepare for the conference. We’re carefully tracking the latest health and safety guidelines for large group gatherings. The ALA JobLIST Placement & Career Development Center will follow ALL conference safety protocols required by the American Library Association. Before attending any activities in the Center, please review the posted Health and Safety Protocols when they become available.
JobLIST Placement & Career Development Service Activities
Conference Accessibility
ALA works to make sure that your conference experience will be a pleasant and accessible one. Please visit the ALA Conference accessibility page (when available) for details regarding accessibility measures for those in need. You may also contact ALA Conference Services Accessibility by email at confaccess@ala.org, before May 1, 2025.
Activities listed below were held during the ALA 2024 Annual Conference in San Diego, CA in the JobLIST Placement & Career Development Center. Activities for the ALA 2025 Annual Conference will be added as we get closer to the conference. If you have ideas regarding programs or topics you would like presented in the Center, contact the Center's manager, Beatrice Calvin.
Career Coaching
Saturday and Sunday, June 28 & 29, 2025
Recharge your career by meeting with a professional counselor who can guide you in strategizing for the next phase of your career, solving a problem in your current job situation, defining goals, getting unstuck and/or rejuvenating your career. Or, perhaps you have been laid-off and need help determining your next move. Each one-on-one session is 20 minutes and completely confidential.
If you have never experienced career counseling, or just haven't used this type of service in a long time, this is the perfect opportunity to introduce yourself or reacquaint yourself with a service that can be useful throughout your career. Take advantage of the opportunity to talk with a knowledgeable professional about your career concerns. This service is complimentary. Appointments may go quickly, so consider signing up in advance using the online sign-up form when it opens in March 2025.
Mentoring-on-the-Fly
Saturday, June 28, 2025, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon and
Sunday, June 29, 2025, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Are you looking for some guidance and advice related to your library career? If so, the ALA JobLIST Placement and Career Development Service will host short mentoring sessions. Mentors with experience in academic and public libraries will be available to offer suggestions and guidance to help you discover ways to advance in your library career. The service will be facilitated by the ACRL - University Libraries Section. You will have the opportunity to talk with an experienced librarian about various aspects of your career. Mentoring sessions are available by appointment. Walk-ins welcome.
Open House - Job Fair
Sunday, June 29, 2025, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Employers will be given the opportunity to talk with individuals about their institutions and available positions. Advanced sign-up is required for employers. Registration not required for job seekers. Employers who want to participate in the Open House/Job Fair, should submit an online participation form no later than Friday, May 30, 2025. There is no cost to participate. Active ad on JobLIST is required by start of the Annual Conference. Contact Beatrice Calvin at 800/545-2433 ext. 4280 for more information.
Participating employers will be listed on our Recruiters at Conference page.
Job seekers and others interested in attending information sessions with the listed employers my join at any time. Registration is NOT required for job seekers.
Photography Services
Saturday and Sunday, June 28 & 29, 2025, 9:00 am - 5:00 p.m.
Have a professional headshot photo taken and set of digital images created for use in job applications, social media, and other networking opportunities. Nominal fee of $20 payable at time of service. Sign-up to secure your appointment time when the form opens in March 2025. Advance sign-up is not required. Walk-ins welcome.
Resume Reviews
Saturday and Sunday, 9:00 am - 5:00 p.m.
Whether you are currently looking for a job or just want to keep your resume polished, this is a perfect opportunity to have a new set of eyes on your resume. Librarians from all types of libraries, with various specializations have volunteered to help you make your resume shine! The service is available to anyone attending the conference. Appointments will be taken soon. Walk-ins also welcome.
Career Guidance Workshops
The sessions listed below were held during the ALA 2024 Annual Conference in San Diego, CA in the JobLIST Placement & Career Development Center. Sessions for the ALA 2025 Annual Conference in Philadelphia, PA will be added as we get closer to the conference.
Resume Writing Workshop | Saturday, 9:30am - 10:30am
Résumés are often neglected documents that you don’t touch for years. Then you find that perfect job opportunity that requires you to dust off the résumé and figure out what is missing or needs to be changed. A daunting task if it has been a while since you’ve given any critical thought to what you do at work much less getting it down on paper.
If you are graduating school soon and new to librarianship, looking to apply for a new position, or just wanting to update your résumé, join this writing session for guidance on how to create or revise your resume. This is a 1-hour long hands-on workshop so bring your laptops or a copy of your résumé so you can take notes or work on it while you’re attending.
Curriculum Vitae Writing Workshop | Saturday, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Are you new to academics and not sure what a Curriculum Vitae is and how a CV differs from a resume? Do you need to update your CV because you are applying for a new position or going up for promotion and/or tenure?
Your CV is a living document that should be updated at least twice a year to reflect all the work you accomplished each semester. Join me for this 1-hour workshop on how to create or revise your CV. Bring your laptops and copies of your cover letter so you can work on it while you’re attending.
The Dreaded Cover Letter: Is It Really Necessary? | Saturday, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Cover letters are still a necessary evil and an important part of the application. Why write one when all of your qualifications are outlined on your résumé or curriculum vitae? Managers use cover letters to determine if applicants can get their thoughts down on paper and string coherent sentences together. They can be more than just repeating what your résumé says. Use your cover letter to tell the hiring manager how your skills apply to the requirements of the job. Bring your laptops or copies of your cover letter. In this 1-hour hands-on workshop you will learn how to tailor your cover letters so it isn’t so difficult when you apply for your next job.
NOTE: The Resume, CV, and Cover Letter sessions will all be presented by Melissa Lockaby, Collection Management Librarian and Associate Professor, University North Georgia, Dahlonega, GA.
The Art of Managing Stress: Keys to a Healthier Way of Life | Saturday, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Undoubtedly, working in the library environment often engenders stress, yet amidst our busy schedules, we may overlook its impact on our well-being. Identifying the sources of stress and their effects on both physical and mental health is imperative. This session is designed to provide practical stress reduction techniques that can be immediately implemented, leaving participants refreshed and better equipped to navigate challenges with balance and productivity. It delves into actionable strategies applicable in both personal and professional settings. Moreover, the session addresses how leaders and managers can play a pivotal role in alleviating unhealthy stress levels in the workplace, benefiting both individuals and their teams.
Presenter: Margie Sheppard, Community Engagement Coordinator, NNLM Region 3, University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, University of North Texas Health Science Center
Ask HR | Sunday, 9:00am - 10:00am
Join us for an open dialogue with human resource professionals about what to expect in the current job market. Do you have questions about what employers expect of job candidates and new staff? Do you want to know how to make yourself shine above other candidates? Do you want advice from someone who does hiring in libraries? If you responded yes to any of these questions, then join us for an informal discussion/Q&A session where you can gain an insider's perspective on what employers really look for in job candidates. Come prepared to ask library human resource professionals your
questions about the current hiring situation in libraries. Hiring managers from academic and public libraries will be available to answer your questions. Take advantage of this opportunity to get the real scope on what hiring managers expect from you.
· 10 Critical Strategies You Need in Your Job Search Today | Sunday, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
So… you’re ready to make a career change – maybe take on a different role in your organization, seek a promotion, find work in a different setting – or even change your career path altogether. Great! But before you launch into job search or promotion seeking mode, it’s a really good idea to make sure you understand and use the most effective job search strategies that will make you THE ideal candidate for your next career move.
Come to this session to learn the most important steps you need to succeed in your job/career transition. Join us to learn how to answer these critical questions.
Can you clearly articulate what type of job or career change you’re looking for?
· Is your resume as up to date as it should be?
· Do you understand how ATS can affect your search?
· Are you networking in the best possible / most effective ways?
· Do you have a plan for researching organizations and types of positions you’re interested in?
· Do you have a strategy for follow-up?
· How will you make yourself the most desirable candidate for the job?
Presenter: Caitlin Williams
Mental Health in the Library Workplace | Sunday, June 30, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Many individuals dedicate over 40 hours per week to their work, making it evident that the workplace significantly impacts our mental health and overall well-being. This presentation will explore enhancing workplace mental health and well-being, drawing from the U.S. Surgeon General framework of five essential components for positive workplace mental health and well-being. We will examine the eight dimensions of health outlined by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), providing actionable insights for individuals to bolster their mental health and well-being. Additionally, we will navigate through mental health and well-being resources offered by esteemed institutions such as the National Library of Medicine, the National Institutes of Health, and other reputable organizations.
Presenter: Margie Sheppard, Community Engagement Coordinator, NNLM Region 3, University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, University of North Texas Health Science Center
Employers
Employers who want a recruitment booth on site in the Placement Center should complete the Booth reservation form and email it to the Placement & Career Development Center's manager, Beatrice Calvin. The cost of a booth is $625.00. Please review the Booth Reservation form for information on what is included in this fee.
We are planning on holding an Open House in the Placement Center on Sunday morning. Representatives from various library and library-related companies will have an opportunity to talk with conference attendees about work environments as well as activities in and around their institutions (i.e. sports, arts, music, community involvement, etc.).
There is no cost to participate in the Open House. Employers interested in participating should complete and submit the online participation form no later than Friday, May 30, 2025.
Employers who want to post job positions should register and post them on ALA JobLIST. Special discounts may be available for organizations participating in the face-to-face Placement Center; contact Beatrice Calvin for more information.
Employers with an active online ad on ALA JobLIST can also review resumes of registered job seekers with active profiles. Once your ad is active, you will have access to the résumés. To arrange interviews before and during the conference, employers can contact job seekers directly, if they have opted to include access to their personal contact information within their JobLIST profile or résumé.
Employers who want to use the on-site interviewing facilities in the Placement Center must have an active ad on ALA JobLIST during the conference period.
It is the employers' responsibility to reserve interview tables. Job seekers cannot do this. To reserve interview space, employers should first confirm the date and time of your interviews with candidates. Then sign-up for a table on the online form. You should be prepared to give the candidate's name along with the day and time of the interview. You may also go to the onsite Placement Center to get a table assignment.
Employers who have a recruitment booth onsite in the Placement Center will not need to get table assignments. You can conduct interviews in your private interview space. You have control of your own scheduling.
Employers who have contacted job seekers directly through ALA JobLIST (or chosen to include a link to it in their ads for job seekers to contact them) should login to JobLIST on a regular basis to check for messages in the period leading up to and including the conference.
Employers who will be meeting with potential candidates in the Placement Center during the next ALA conference should be sure their JobLIST account information and communication settings are up to date.
If you have questions, concerns, or need help, feel free to contact ALA JobLIST Placement & Career Development Center Manager, Beatrice Calvin at bcalvin@ala.org or (800) 545-2433 ext. 4280.
Job Seekers
Job seekers should register and search for jobs on ALA JobLIST. All services are free to job seekers.
Free registration on ALA JobLIST is not required to view job postings, but it can be to the job seeker's advantage to do so. Registration and activation of a free job seeker profile will give actively hiring employers access to your resume information. It will also allow for direct communication between you and the employer. If you see a position that you are interested in, you can contact the employer directly as they instruct in their ad.
Be sure to visit our Recruiters at Conference page to see which employers will be interviewing during the conference.
If you need help getting your résumé polished, stop by the Placement Center while you are at conference. The New Members Round Table provides résumé critiquing service to conference attendees. You will be able to sign up soon. The service is free.
There will also be a number of free workshops on interviewing, résumés, cover letters, etc. at conferences. Go to the Conference Workshops page for the latest information.
There are several podcasts which were developed specifically for library workers on the General Career Information page of our career resources section. Some are directly related to preparing for and making the most effective use of conferences as an active job seeker.
You will also find numerous other resources on various job hunting topics on the Career Development Resources page.
If you have questions, concerns, or need help feel free to contact ALA Placement Service Manager, Beatrice Calvin at bcalvin@ala.org or (800) 545-2433 ext. 4280.
Related Links
Career Coaching sign-up form
If you're interested in volunteering in the Center, contact Beatrice Calvin, the Placement Service Manager.