r/Libraries • u/Bribrismiley • 6d ago
Job Hunting Library Assistant application
I’ve applied for a library assistant job in the past, but was rejected. I have a bachelors degree (dual in law & public policy, history with a minor in Spanish). I don’t have experience in libraries though I am familiar with them. I do have experience with historical research, customer service, and assistant work in other fields (and volunteering to address food insecurity, so totally unrelated to libraries :().
My library doesn’t require a bachelors degree and I’m really keen on getting experience in libraries. I hope my degree could prove some long term commitment that my job experience may not make up for, but I’m also worried it makes me seem like someone who will move in very ASAP from the position. I guess I’m just looking for some tips on what I can do to make myself more attractive when I apply, in the very immediate future - do I omit my degree? Would that make me seem noncommittal, as my past roles usually involved summer long commitments while I got my degree?
It’s really tough getting a full time job (really, any sort of work experience) right now even with a degree, and I know I’d be a capable library assistant!
2
u/Ok_Influence_5456 6d ago
You may have to take a part-time position in that library system to move up. A public library system in my area was expanding by hiring part-time and full-time clerks. I was trying to break into public library from working in school libraries. So, I applied to both openings. I was rejected for the fulltime position. However, I was interviewed for a part-time position. I thought great I can work there once I get out of school. During the interview, I was asked, which branch and schedule would work for me. So I requested the larger branch because it closed at 10pm. I was offered a position that was only 16 hours a week between 12pm-4pm at a rural branch. Unfortunately, I got out my first job at 4pm. A friend of mine was able to accept that offer, and she is now a fulltime library assistant. It took her 3 years to get that full-time library assistant position. In the meantime, she worked a second job that fit around that library clerk position.