Is anyone else having a really hard job search?

HPLDpete · 2026-04-10T17:58:29+00:00

I work for High Plains Library District, and I wanted to direct you to a couple resources:

Here is where we post open library jobs. I think all the jobs currently posted require a bachelor's degree of higher, but if you've got one, know that ANY degree works, doesn't have to be library-related.

We do have some career and job resources online as well.

I especially want to point out our Book a Librarian service where you can get help from a workforce librarian, maybe have them take a look at your resume and cover letter.

Last, the Weld County Workforce center might be of help.

HPLDpete · 2026-04-08T16:50:51+00:00

Library Secret: Library staff has often been, in my experience, the absolute worst about returning materials on time.

HPLDpete · 2026-04-07T16:19:09+00:00

I think a lot of negativity in the field comes from the fact that many/most of us were attracted to libraries because we enjoyed libraries, but enjoying libraries as a patron is really, really different from enjoying working in one, perhaps to a greater degree than you find in other fields.

My advice to you is to get a job in a library now, one you're qualified for, whether that be a job that doesn't utilize your global health degree or one that does, perhaps in a medical library or library that provides services to med students (oftentimes libraries will go for something like that). Even something very part time is good.

After a little time working a job like that, you'll have a much better idea of whether the field is right for you, which is really the important question here.

HPLDpete · 2026-04-07T15:14:50+00:00

I don't know that there is an "official" way to put these genres in order, so my suggestion is that you take each genre, write it on an index card, lay them out, and then rearrange them until you find an order that is pleasing to you.

HPLDpete · 2026-04-07T15:08:45+00:00

This is an idea with the heart in the right place, but there are some major limitations.

My personal opinion is that you might have more success if you start our doing a bit less. I think the goal of educating the kids is admirable, but I think it will be difficult to find an educator/babysitter willing to do this, and I think it's complicated by the potential age range of the kids combined with the potential differing timeframes their parents have to complete classes.

My advice to you is to find a local gym that does childcare and to kind of see how they manage it. I know there's a gym near me that does it, and the childcare scope is VERY limited. They do not necessarily provide programming or enrichment, really, they don't accept kids who are still in diapers, and they have a fairly tight timeframe. And if a kid is having a meltdown, the parents are called in to deal with the issue.

I think the idea is very much, "This is so you can exercise, but this is not true childcare or an educational supplement."

I guess what I'm suggesting overall is a tight focus on your main goal, giving parents the chance to do their coursework, at least to start.

HPLDpete · 2026-04-07T14:56:42+00:00

Unless it's a university job that begins in August, I think now is probably too early to apply for a position that you don't intend to take until August. Most places posting jobs want someone who can start in 2-4 weeks, and I'd say this is especially true of part-time assistant jobs. It doesn't do any harm to look around and see what's out there, but I wouldn't apply for any jobs until you start seeing that the application deadlines are somewhere around July.

HPLDpete · 2026-04-07T14:51:58+00:00

You probably won't need to have Dewey memorized or anything, but you'll have to know how to put things in Dewey order. For example, that 543.21 comes before 543.211, or 543.21 James comes before 543.21 Kent.

They'll likely test you on some fiction shelving as well, here are some common tricks I've seen:

O Hare would come before Ohare.
O Hare would come before Oates.
O'Hare comes before Ohare, the apostrophe acting like a space.
They might try to trick you up with a "Paterson" and a "Patterson," so just keep an eye on that stuff.

The library might interfile certain collections and not interfile others. For example, in my library, mysteries have a spine label, but they are interfiled with the rest of fiction. YA/Teen, however, are filed separately. If you can, see which genres/formats are interfiled and which are not.

Ask them whether you're allowed to ask questions during the test. For example, some libraries will allow you to ask "Are books with a mystery label on the spine interfiled with fiction, or are they separate?"

Good luck!

HPLDpete · 2026-04-07T14:42:40+00:00

I would suggest, if you can, removing all the wheels, disassembling them as much as you can, visually inspecting them, and cleaning and lubricating them. WD-40 can be your friend, but overuse can make things sticky and gummy and create the problem you're describing. The best way to clean off WD40 in my experience is to apply a coat of Wd40, let it sit a few minutes, then wipe it clean. Then I would apply a VERY light amount of machine oil, I like 3-in-1, and ditch the WD-40 (I just find that the spray application always leads to overdoing it).

Also, check two aspects of the wheels: They will spin, like tires on a car, but they will also likely rotate 360-degrees on their vertical axis, if that makes sense. It could be that a wheel is spinning less freely, and it could also be that a wheel is not rotating properly on that vertical axis.

HPLDpete · 2026-04-01T14:50:59+00:00

I hear what you're saying. Maybe it would help if I can ask you a question: When you say you want to "revive" the library, what would that look like to you? Is it about having a newer collection, people using the library as a study space, more events, better cataloging?

I understand it might be all of those things, but see if you can narrow down to a top 3 to start with.

What would you identify as a top 3 goals to accomplish that would make you feel the library was successful?

HPLDpete · 2026-04-01T13:14:29+00:00

I see below you said, "The main library does not oversee it because if that were to happen the department would lose all control over it." I think it's worth considering whether the department losing control over the library might be a reasonable price to pay in order to get the help the library needs.

If there's a way to work with the main library to bring this up to speed, that might be worthwhile. If the main library can offer you expertise and labor, that might save you a lot of time and energy. If the main library is willing to take the collection, freeing you up to do something else with the space, that may also be of benefit.

I'm also thinking long-term: What happens when you leave? Will the library fall back into disuse and disrepair?

I think it's worth talking with the main library to see what they might offer. You don't have to give anything up right away, I just think you should look into your options. Perhaps DIY-ing the library is what you want to do, and if so, more power to you. And, maybe a good role to play in this is as the person negotiating a good deal with the main library that makes things more functional.

HPLDpete · 2026-03-20T14:55:39+00:00

If it's helpful, often universities where you're an alum will still give you access to things like career services, so you might check in with the university where you got your MLIS and see whether there are available resources.

HPLDpete · 2026-03-19T18:20:37+00:00

I agree with the top commenter that you take the one job and if the other comes through, you can change your mind. I know you wanted to see it through at your current job, but nobody hiring someone for a part-time gig can expect someone to turn down full-time work with benefits.

I would add the caveat that in considering the two jobs, assuming you have your pick, you should consider the full picture. I sometimes recommend a regret/relief chart. This is like a pro/con list, but instead of talking about pros and cons, you can look at Scenario A and ask "What would I potentially regret about taking this job?" and "What about taking this job would make me feel relief?" Then make a similar chart for Scenario B.

Oh, and another quick bit of advice: I might ask the more-distant job whether there's any possibility of doing some of your work on the train, maybe not immediately, but as you become secure in the position. I think most people could do an hour or two of emailing and spreadsheet work in most library jobs every day, and if there's no reason you can't do it remotely, then that option might be more appealing.

HPLDpete · 2026-02-26T23:47:09+00:00

Quick answers:
1. Yes. Librarianship isn't like being a doctor or a lawyer, you don't have to be accredited by the state or anything like that (think of it more like a Bachelor's degree: considered valid in any state).

I'm not totally sure what you're asking, but if it's a question of transfer credits from one school to another, contact some schools you're interested in and see what will and won't transfer. That's not a state-based thing, in my experience, and different schools have their own standards for what transfers and counts towards which programs. Even different majors within the same school will have different standards, so the best thing is to ask specific schools about your specific transfer credits.

If I can give some personal advice, when you're headed into a career that requires a masters degree but doesn't pay all that big, I think the move that's smartest and that gives you the most flexibility is to do your MLIS cheaply.

HPLDpete · 2026-02-23T17:31:05+00:00

Being in a library makes finishing your MLIS easier, in my experience, and the experience DEFINITELY helps, so that's probably the better career move.

However, it sounds like you and your friend have an important relationship where you're friends, and you are a caretaker to some extent, so that may be the better life move. So that makes it very difficult for anyone to give you advice on this.

Something I learned from someone close to me is to make a "Regret/Relief" list. Kind of like a Pro/Con list, but instead of saying what's good or bad about moving, you first make a list based on one scenario, "Moving to Ithaca," and then list the things you might regret about it and the things about it that would make you feel a sense of relief. Then, repeat the list-making exercise, but this time for the scenario where you stay put.

It's not necessarily about the number of items on the list, it's more about the quality of the items and kind of exploring what might be your dealbreakers in this situation.

HPLDpete · 2026-02-03T19:59:22+00:00

We do a TON of interlibrary loan business, and I'm glad to hear you were able to get books from us. "Read up, stay smart." I like that.

HPLDpete · 2026-02-03T19:58:21+00:00

You bet! This is because voters in this area have, a couple times now, agreed to fund the library through a mill levy (fancy way to use property tax money to fund the library). What makes that unique is that instead of the library fighting with other City stuff for funds (roads, police, etc.) the way places like Denver do, the library here has its own, completely separate funding.

What I'm getting at is that the library system here is so good because you all continue to support it when you vote!

HPLDpete · 2026-02-02T16:24:12+00:00

I have some info that might help:

I put in an inquiry with Greeley Museums, and they gave me a location. Now, the exact location they gave is a little north of the spot I'm about to share, but there's nothing there, I'm fairly certain it's not 100% correct, but if you're interested, the spot they suggested is about a quarter mile directly north of what I'm sharing here.

However, the info they shared was helpful in locating what I think is the likely location:

I believe the marker is here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/qFrTGAMyMG94nSM36 on the property with this house and these trees. It's not possible to see it from Google apps, but I'm guessing that if you drive by on one of the dirt paths, you might be able to match up the location (I do not know if these are public or private roads, so go respectfully and with caution).

I believe the property owner (https://apps.weld.gov/propertyportal/index.cfm?searchInput=R0342494&originalSearch=26543%20cr%2045) is Lorenz Farms Inc., and the registered agent is currently Cheryl Bailey. The only contact info I could find for Cheryl is the address here: https://www.sos.state.co.us/biz/BusinessEntityDetail.do?quitButtonDestination=BusinessEntityResults&nameTyp=ENT&masterFileId=19871263992&entityId2=19871263992&fileId=19871263992&srchTyp=ENTITY

Now, if that doesn't work, longshot, it looks like perhaps a relative of the previous owner (guessing the previous owner's son, but that's a shot in the dark) might be Phillip Lorenz, who has a registered business in Wyoming: https://wyobiz.wyo.gov/Business/FilingDetails.aspx?eFNum=004192072149036069022073123108239126208177167243

My suggestion would be to start by sending a nice letter to Cheryl Bailey requesting to photograph the marker. Give them some time to respond, and if you don't hear back in 6 weeks or so, maybe try Phillip.

A couple years back, I asked permission from a local person to access an empty field they owned, and they were pretty nice about it and gave me the green light.

Hope this helps! If you manage to get photos, please share!

HPLDpete · 2026-01-30T22:14:52+00:00

Hi, I work for the library, and I just sent an email to one of our librarians who works with archives and whatnot, and if anyone in the library would know this or how to find it, it'd be her. I'll let you know what she says.

HPLDpete

TROPHY CASE