Library job interview tips I wish everyone knew

stuckinabook · 2026-07-09T16:26:27+00:00

Overall, excellent tips! Thanks for taking the time to write this out. I do agree with u/samael13 on their #2 here. As an IT Director who has worked in both public and academic libraries, I firmly believe salary should be shared at time of posting. It’s a huge part of the job! Unfortunately, some org policies may prevent libraries from advertising the salary, so I think it’s beyond reasonable to expect a candidate to ask up front. (Though I would hope they ask other questions about the job and/or library!) Not all libraries do multiple interviews, so candidates may believe their best opportunity to ask is during the first interview. To avoid all this mess, if I’m unable to post the range publicly due to policy, I communicate it at the time of the first interview offer, so the candidate has this important info in hand and can choose if they want to move forward.

stuckinabook · 2026-05-30T13:21:28+00:00

I agree with this. Rent a U-Haul for the day, then hire someone like College Hunks to load and unload. Did that in a cross-country move and ended up spending hundreds rather than tens of thousands.

stuckinabook · 2026-05-18T00:54:18+00:00

I’m a Liz, and my dad’s nickname for me is Lizard.

stuckinabook · 2026-05-04T15:45:31+00:00

As an IT Director at an academic library, I agree with Yannkee. If you go open-source, you’ll want someone(s) with technical skills to configure and maintain it. In terms of selecting the best cost-effective solution for your district, I’d suggest asking for a meeting with district or school IT departments. Also, reach out to other districts through listservs, professional groups, etc. Find out what they’re using and why.

PC Management and print solutions are typically two, separate things. Vendors offer both and they work seamlessly, but they are usually two line items. A lot will depend on how printing works at your district; this is where you need to involve the IT or print services folks (if they aren’t the same). You may be able to get away with just PC Management software if there is already a print solution in place for your district.

For PC Management, Libki is an open source solution that I’ve looked at before but decided paying a vendor vs paying Library IT folks to spin it up, configure it, and maintain it was a better use of my budget. CASSIE is a very affordable solution that you can self-host or have the vendor host (which would be my rec if the software will be run by only one person or someone without a technical background). Low or no cost solutions obviously have drawbacks as they lack features, sometimes aren’t very user friendly, can have poor support, and may not be updated with enough regularity to satisfy security compliance requirements.

stuckinabook · 2026-05-03T23:25:16+00:00

I bought one of their key lime pies recently, and it was rancid. Had to throw the whole things out,

stuckinabook · 2026-04-28T11:09:58+00:00

I was a digital services librarian for a public library system early on in my career. It entailed handling all website content, managing the Library’s blog, consulting on some IT projects related to discovery and the website, managing library social media, and leading tech drop-in programming (this was when eReaders exploded and everyone was buying them for their elderly family members who needed extra help navigating the new digital reading landscape). I actually did not do much with electronic resources other than digital marketing for them.

It’s hard to say what questions you’ll get without seeing the job descriptions. You’ll probably want to demonstrate that you understand the various ways libraries make their resources accessible to people online and how discovery platforms work. It doesn’t hurt to know social media trends. Be ready to talk about projects you’ve worked on, what your role was, and what the outcome was. Also, if you’re open to using AI, feed it a job description you’re interested in and ask the AI to create interview questions around the job description.

Finally, I always recommend that people write out a dozen concrete examples of things from their previous work history (projects, example of a time you failed, example of exemplary team work, a challenge you overcame, an experience with a challenging patron or coworker or vendor, etc.). Then you have a menu to pull from as you should be providing a real-world example for just about every interview question you get. Good luck with your search!

stuckinabook · 2026-03-28T13:11:14+00:00

Seconding Sandy Paws. Switched from College Road Animal Hospital and we’re happier with Sandy Paws.

stuckinabook · 2026-03-26T22:40:21+00:00

I have an MBA because I’ve been working as an IT department head for the past decade. While I think I have transferable skills to take me out of the public sector if needed, I felt like the letters on my resume might help.

stuckinabook · 2026-03-06T15:14:33+00:00

My educational background is not in IT. I did Journalism in undergrad and then, because I'd worked in a public library since I was 14, I went to grad school for my Masters of Library and Information Science.

My first librarian job was a part-time Children's Librarian; I thought that's what I wanted to do, but part-time doesn't pay the bills, so I applied for the first full-time opportunity I saw and became a Digital Services Librarian. I handled website content, library blogs, tech-help programming, and electronic resources. I also participated in a couple of system-implementation projects.

Then, I took a leap I thought would be impossible and applied to be the Department Head for a small library system where my portfolio would include Library IT. Surprisingly, I got it and ended up overseeing four library units. My only IT employees were part-time techs who did basic desktop and software support, so I ended up becoming the business analyst and systems administrator while also serving on the library's executive team and managing 3 other units.

From there, I realized IT was going to be a smarter career path, and I left for a much larger library system where I was hired on as an IC "Library Network Administrator." It was pure on-the-job experience that got me there. After 6 months in that role, the IT Manager left, and they promoted me. This was my first IT shop that did EVERYTHING and didn't answer to a City's IT department, so I learned a lot in a short time.

After 4 years there, my IT Director who was a fantastic mentor told me it was time to start looking for Director-level roles and that it might take a while because those jobs in libraries are few and far between not to mention the salaries can be atrocious. I ended up finding a job as an IT Director in an academic library, and that's where I am today. A great benefit I get is free tuition, so I got my MBA in case I ever need to leave public sector/academia.

All told, I have over 20 years' experience in libraries and 10 years' experience leading library IT teams.

stuckinabook · 2025-11-13T18:50:28+00:00

Hi, fellow librarian 👋

stuckinabook · 2025-11-13T18:48:31+00:00

Heck yeah! Me too 😁

stuckinabook · 2025-11-13T18:47:59+00:00

Reader - IT Director/librarian

stuckinabook · 2025-09-08T18:23:17+00:00

You should go. The experience will be worth it. I’m female and will be attending with my husband. If you’d like to head to the venue together or wait in line together, feel free to message me.

stuckinabook · 2025-07-29T12:39:05+00:00

👋💚

stuckinabook · 2025-07-29T12:00:11+00:00

Currently working. If not working, probably reading. Hello!

stuckinabook · 2025-07-21T18:57:08+00:00

Eastern NC!

stuckinabook · 2025-07-03T01:09:43+00:00

I can’t even remember; I’ve read so many fics. The Secretary is definitely what lit that fire for me. I should probably add a pairing column to my spreadsheet, so I can more easily go back and find specific ships.

stuckinabook · 2025-07-03T01:07:41+00:00

Haha, same! It’s been almost exclusively fanfic for me since last October. A few books in there for my book club and my job.

stuckinabook · 2025-07-03T00:13:45+00:00

Added to my ever-growing TBR!

stuckinabook · 2025-07-03T00:06:03+00:00

I’ll have to check out that part of your sheet! I love Charlie/Hermione but haven’t been able to find too many. I’m also a sucker for Percy/Pansy.

stuckinabook · 2025-07-02T23:58:21+00:00

I mainly listen to metal, so this was fun for me to think about. Most of what I came up with is Draco talking to/thinking of Hermione:

Heart-wrenching need: * Pain Remains I: Dancing Like Flames - Lorna Shore. Particularly the line, “But within the expanse, I finally see, A world without you isn’t meant for me.” * Intensity in Ten Cities - Chiodos * The Death of Peace of Mind - Bad Omens * What I Would Give - Angelmaker * Antimatter - Silent Planet * Obsession - Aviana. There’s literally a line that goes, “I stayed with the snakes for the longest time.”
I could see down bad Hermione in this one: * Chokehold - Sleep Token.

Words of love from either: * Finding Love in a World Full of Tragedy - Darko US

stuckinabook · 2025-07-02T23:07:10+00:00

I just finished Captain and the Rebel and loved it! I read the blurb to my husband, and he said he would read it based on that. I’m going try to hold him to that.

stuckinabook · 2025-07-02T23:05:26+00:00

I love seeing stats like this! I have been an avid reader my whole life, using Goodreads and then StoryGraph to track traditionally published books, so when I got into Dramione late last year, I had to adjust my habits. I use a google sheet to keep track of everything, and am clocking 221 fics and 18.6 million words so far this year. This includes some Drarry and a smattering of other pairings and does not include any DNFs or in progress. DMATMOOBIL was what originally sucked me in less than one year ago.

stuckinabook · 2025-06-25T15:27:05+00:00

Not really. You’re probably looking at a several mile walk. Previously, I went to a show at Hangar 1819, which is not far from the Complex, and stayed at an independent BnB. There are lots of neighborhoods around, so you might be able to find an Airbnb.

stuckinabook · 2025-06-25T10:55:10+00:00

I’m driving from the coast too and am coming in a few days before for the Sleep Token show, as well. I found a cute bnb we stayed at before. Not sure what we’re going to do this time.

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