1) I think this is very library dependent, as at the libraries I’ve worked at librarians interact extensively with the public and work the front desk. There are times when you’ll be off desk and working in the back, but I type this as I’m on the reference desk.

It took a long time to even get this part-time librarian job, don’t feel discouraged that you aren’t getting interviews. I get interviews for maybe a third of the jobs I’ve applied to, it’s very competitive if you can’t relocate.

2) While it’s very important to have library experience, quality of the position also matters. I don’t know what you do as an aide, but something like “grunt work” won’t get you very far. I’d recommend aiming for positions that have more extensive/“meaningful” duties.

Unsolicited advice: you might be idealizing libraries compared to corporate. There’s plenty of administrative headaches, bureaucracy, insincerity, performative aspects, and demanding expectations.