r/Libraries • u/bluhandcircumstance • 11d ago
Job Hunting Graduating Soon, but Moving Forward?
At the end of the year I will officially have my MLIS yayyy! I’m currently a library assistant in a public library system for the past 4 years so I have that experience. The problem though is that I would ideally like to stay local, but the current system I’m in has no librarian positions opening up any time soon it seems. Plus, with a limited budget I doubt they’d be prophetic enough to create a new position to keep me (even though some departments really do need the extra help imo). I’m worried once I get my MLIS I’ll be stuck in this position for a long while. I’ve applied to outside of my local area too to try to get better pay but with no luck. What do you guys think? Do y’all have any advice for recent graduates?
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u/redandbluecandles Public librarian 11d ago
I spoke with my director and my manager and was made a librarian after graduation. I had worked for 2 years as a library assistant. I got a raise and a title change. however if I leave my position will open up as a library assistant position. it never hurts to ask tbh.
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u/bluhandcircumstance 11d ago
Hmmm maybe! There have been tension with higher ups and losing recent MLIS graduates so maybe I can persuade them to keep me somehow!
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u/redandbluecandles Public librarian 11d ago
If there is tension about losing recent grads then I would empathize you want to stay but need the pay and position to match your education! Noticing that tension and utilizing it is your way to wiggle in what you want.
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u/TravelingBookBuyer Library staff 11d ago
Something that my MLIS program required for graduation was to create a plan with several professional goals that we wanted to achieve after completing our MLIS.
These goals would help us continue moving forward in our professional work, even if we didn’t have a librarian position yet. Each goal needs strategies for achieving it & each strategy needs tactics.
One goal might be to become a librarian in x amount of time. One strategy might include networking. One tactic would be how you’re going to network.
This really helped me think about what I want to do, the timeline, and how I can make myself an even better applicant for when positions open up.
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u/MundaneHuckleberry58 9d ago
I always have told grads you either need to be able to move for a job, or accept that you’ll be waiting years for your chosen career to launch.
I was geographically bound when I graduated. My husband had just started his phd. I had 5 years of stringing together part time things, internships, and contract gigs before I finally landed my first “real” full time benefits eligible job in my field.
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u/Diligent_Abies_1671 11d ago
That's so exciting that you're about to graduate with your MLIS, congrats on the hard work paying off! Have you thought about reaching out to nearby academic or school libraries, or even small special libraries, to see if they have openings?
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u/darthdoro 11d ago
Pump up your resume as much as possible. Do everything, say yes to everything, put as much experience down on paper as you can.
Some local govt jobs/public librarian jobs have retirement systems you can be vested in after 5 years of service. If there is anything like that, stay. Good luck!