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.

Registration is not required for job seekers. 

Upcoming Events

• ALA 2026 Annual Conference
  Location: Chicago, IL
  Conference Dates: June 25 - 29, 2026
  For information on activities related to jobs and career development, continue to visit this page. You may also contact Placement Center staff at (800) 545-2433, ext. 4277.
  For information on the full ALA 2026 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, 2026.

Activities for the  ALA 2026 Annual Conference in the ALA JobLIST Placement & Career Development Center are listed below. The Center will be located in the McCormick Place Convention Center West Building, room 196ABC. The easiest way to get to the Center would be to enter the Convention Center at the ML King Drive entrance. After entering, go to the left  and follow the signs. You will be directly in front of doors to the Placement and Career Development Center. 

All activities are free for job seekers and available on a walk-in basis. Advance registration is NOT required to participate.

Continue to visit this page as more information 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 staff at Placement Center. 

Saturday, June 27, 2026, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon and
Sunday, June 28, 2026, 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. 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.

Sunday, June 28, 2026, 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, 2026. There is no cost to participate. Active ad on JobLIST is required by start of the Annual Conference.  Contact the Placement Center at 800/545-2433 ext. 4277 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.

Saturday and Sunday, June 27 & 28, 2026, 9:00 am - 4:00 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. Advance sign-up is not required. Walk-ins welcome. It's quick and easy, probably won't take more than 10 minutes. 

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.

The sessions listed below will be held during the ALA 2026 Annual Conference in Chicago, IL in the JobLIST Placement & Career Development Center. Continue to visit this page as more sessions will be added as we get closer to the conference.

You're Not Just Tired: The 7 Types of Rest Library Workers Actually Need | Saturday, 9:30am - 10:30am

If you’re sleeping but still exhausted, the problem may not be fatigue—it may be unmet rest needs. Library work involves constant interaction, decision-making, emotional regulation, and ethical navigation. This session explores the seven types of rest and how they show up in everyday library roles. Attendees will gain tools to identify what kind of rest they are missing and learn practical strategies—both personal and organizational—to reduce chronic depletion. 
 

Objectives:
By the end of the session, attendees will: 
1. Differentiate between sleep, downtime, and true restorative rest. 
2. Identify which type(s) of rest they most urgently need. 
Recognize how library environments contribute to sensory, emotional, and values-based strain. 
3. Apply small, realistic strategies to reduce rest deficits. 
4. Advocate for workplace conditions that make restoration possible. 

Bobbi L. Newman, MLIS, MA (she/her) is a consultant who helps organizations create healthier, more equitable workplaces using evidence-based strategies. She is also a professor who teaches future librarians and leaders, integrating research, practice, and compassion to shape healthier workplaces across the profession. Bobbi is the founder of ThriveLib, a virtual conference dedicated to advancing the well-being of library staff and fostering honest conversations about work, care, and sustainability. 

A certified Wellness Practitioner with nearly a decade of experience in workplace well-being, Bobbi is known for translating research into practical, actionable strategies that support both individuals and organizations. She is the author of Fostering Wellness in the Workplace and the editor of Well-Being in the Library Workplace: A Handbook for Managers, widely used resources for leaders seeking to build healthier work cultures. She writes about well-being in libraries at www.librarianbyday.net, where her work continues to challenge harmful norms and advocate for systemic change.

Presenter: Bobbi Newman, Associate Professor of Practice, SLIS, University of Iowa

Making a Move: Translating Your Skills Across Library Fields | Saturday, 11:00am - 12:00pm

Librarians and new library professionals are currently faced with a high degree of uncertainty or anxiety in their roles, and many may be considering a change of pace. However, many people feel “stuck” because they do not believe their experiences have transferable value, or they may not know how to reinterpret their skills for the role they want to explore. Librarians facing a potential move or new librarians looking to enter the field will likely be seeking career development tools that encourage them to pursue their desired role with confidence.
We want to break down barriers between library types and roles in order to focus on shared experiences between institutions and positions. There is common ground between the work of children’s librarians who teach finger painting and university librarians who teach research strategies, and they may very well wish their role was reversed. Much of this will happen through collaborative knowledge exchange, both at participants’ tables and through online engagement tools such as Padlet, which can be preserved for future reference.
This program is meant to empower librarians of all walks of life, backgrounds, cultures, and years of experience. Digital and physical learning tools will be provided to meet the accessibility and learning needs of all participants. Learning materials will be digitally preserved for future reference and note-taking. Presentation materials will be accessibly designed and uploaded to the app for full audience access.

Presenters: Yuliana Nguyen, Experiential Learning Librarian, University of Texas @ Austin
Collin Stephenson, Research Success Librarian, University of Texas @ Austin

The Engaged Job Search: Finding the Right Job for You  | Saturday, 1:00pm - 2:00pm

Looking for a job?... Any job?... Or a job that will engage and empower you? A job that not only utilizes your skills, but supports curiosity and growth, provides professional stimulation, and offers leadership opportunities? Workplace engagement is often considered a crucial factor in job satisfaction and retention, as well as a powerful antidote to burnout. And job satisfaction—which can involve a variety of factors like salary, benefits, condition and nature of work, coworkers, communication, and professional autonomy—is, in most instances, the ultimate goal for the job seeker. 

Join us for this interactive session to explore the concept of employee engagement and how it is related to, and intertwined with, institutional structures and personal factors. We will discuss strategies for analyzing job postings to determine which opportunities are most likely to provide that crucial engagement and empowerment, how to broach this subject in application materials and interviews, tips for sustaining engagement throughout the job search, and ways to stay engaged in your current position. We will also explore the roles that organizational culture, leadership, and personal ownership play in creating and sustaining engagement in the workplace.

Presenters: Susanne Markgren, Interim Executive Director of the Library, Manhattan University
Linda Miles, Open Educational Resources Librarian, Michigan State University

Receiving Feedback: How to Get the Most Out of It | Saturday, 2:30pm - 3:30pm

Drawing on insights from Thanks for the Feedback by Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen, this session explores why receiving feedback can be challenging—and why it’s essential for personal and professional growth. Participants will learn to distinguish between different types of feedback (appreciation, coaching, and evaluation), recognize and manage defensive reactions, and apply practical strategies for turning even poorly delivered or unclear feedback into meaningful learning and development.

Presenters: Susan Breakenridge, Assistant Dean for Business and Human Resources
Jake MacGregor, Organizational Development and Training Coordinator, University of Illinois
Zoe Revell, Organizational Development and Training Specialist, University of Illinois

From Job Descriptions to Interviews: Practical Strategies for Using AI Tools Across the Library Job Search | Saturday, 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Artificial intelligence is reshaping both how job seekers prepare and how employers hire—yet many library professionals feel unsure how to use these tools effectively or responsibly. Designed for job seekers across public, academic, school, and special libraries, this session provides a practical, end‑to‑end look at how AI can support the entire job search process. 

Participants will explore how AI tools can help translate skills for new roles, strengthen resumes and cover letters, analyze job descriptions, prepare for interviews, and navigate automated screening systems. The session emphasizes career retooling, ethical use, and maintaining professional voice which positions AI as a support tool rather than a replacement for human judgment. Attendees will leave with strategies they can apply immediately to strengthen their job search and professional development efforts.

Presenter: Delandrus Seals, Teaching and Learning Librarian, UNC Wilmington

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.

Thriving in the Academic Library Interview: What Candidates Need to Know | Sunday, 1:00pm - 2:00pm

Academic library interviews can feel complex, high-stakes, and at times opaque. This session is designed specifically for job candidates and is grounded in the recommendations outlined in Core Best Practices for Academic Interviews, developed by the ALA Core Academic Interviews Project Team. By understanding how well-designed academic searches are structured, candidates can better prepare, advocate for themselves, and navigate the process with confidence.

By understanding how well-designed academic searches are structured, candidates can better prepare, advocate for themselves, and navigate the process with confidence. Presenters will share practical insights for applicants, explaining how search committees are encouraged to structure interviews, develop consistent questions, use evaluation rubrics tied to job qualifications, and reduce bias by limiting subjective measures such as “fit.”

Participants will gain a clearer understanding of common interview components, such as virtual screening interviews, teaching demonstrations, research presentations, stakeholder meetings, and day-long (or multi-day) campus visits. The session will clarify how structured interviews promote fairness, why consistency in questioning matters, and how evaluation processes are designed to focus on essential job qualifications rather than informal impressions. The session will also address what candidates should reasonably expect in the process: transparent communication about timelines and next steps, clarity about evaluative versus informational sessions, thoughtful scheduling across time zones, accessibility considerations, and opportunities to request accommodations.

By demystifying the academic interview process, this session empowers candidates to present their qualifications confidently and engage as informed professionals. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of what fair, inclusive, and effective academic library interviews should look like in today’s evolving professional landscape.

Presenters: Kristin E. Martin, Director of Technical Services, University of Chicago
Renna Redd, Director of Collections Strategies, Clemons University

Beyond the Offer Letter: Effective Negotiation for Librarians | Sunday, June 30, 2:30pm - 3:30pm

In today’s competitive library job market, receiving an offer is only the beginning. The ability to negotiate effectively can shape not only your salary, but also your workload, professional growth, and long-term career satisfaction. In this workshop, an experienced library administrator provides an insider’s perspective on how librarians can approach negotiations strategically, professionally, and with confidence.

This session places special emphasis on the negotiation phase of the hiring process. Participants will learn when negotiation truly begins and what elements are open to negotiation—including salary, rank, contract length, flexible work arrangements, relocation support, professional development funding, and start-up resources. The presenter will address common myths (e.g., “libraries don’t negotiate”), explain budget realities, and offer guidance on how to assess the full value of a compensation package.

Attendees will also learn about framing requests in ways that are collaborative rather than adversarial, using language that strengthens relationships while clearly advocating for their needs. Strategies for responding to low offers, requesting time to consider an offer, and handling multiple offers will be discussed.

Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how to advocate for themselves effectively—ensuring that their next career move reflects both their professional value and their long-term goals.

Presenters: Maggie Farrell, Dean of University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Renna Redd, Director of Collections Strategies, Clemson University

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 staff, Placement Center. The cost of a booth is $625.00. Please review the details 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, 2026.

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  Placement Center 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 Staff at  Placement Center or (800) 545-2433 ext. 4277.

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.

If you have questions, concerns, or need help feel free to contact ALA Placement Service at Placement Center or (800) 545-2433 ext. 4277.

Related Links

Recruiters at Conference

If you're interested in volunteering in the Center, contact Placement Services.

Rev. March 10, 2026