got a job interview next week at an academic library..would like some input!

[richard]

i know most of you probably study there as opposed to working there, but any knowledge you might have or observed from library staff would be welcomed!

all i know is the following - issuing, taking out, scanning, making reserves, shelving, searching techniques, saulcat databases, selling photocopy cards, methods in searching for books, etc..anything else??

probably a long shot asking this, but thought i'd ask anyway..thanks!

[a_librarian]

Hello,

I might be able to help. I am going to be a postgrad student starting at St. Andrews this fall, but I am currently a librarian in an academic library, so I might be able to give you some advice.

For starters what is the position you are applying for, and what are the qualifications they are seeking?

Quoting richard from 20:31, 18th Jul 2008
i know most of you probably study there as opposed to working there, but any knowledge you might have or observed from library staff would be welcomed!

all i know is the following - issuing, taking out, scanning, making reserves, shelving, searching techniques, saulcat databases, selling photocopy cards, methods in searching for books, etc..anything else??

probably a long shot asking this, but thought i'd ask anyway..thanks!

[richard]

Quoting a_librarian from 22:13, 18th Jul 2008
Hello,
I might be able to help. I am going to be a postgrad student starting at St. Andrews this fall, but I am currently a librarian in an academic library, so I might be able to give you some advice.
For starters what is the position you are applying for, and what are the qualifications they are seeking?

library assistant, no big qualifications apart from good GCSEs..which i have as well as a degree! the only obstacle is..competition for this is fierce!

[a_librarian]

I guess that the basic things that you will want to make sure that you know going into the interview are what databases do they use and make sure you have familiarised yourself with them.

Know their online catalogue and its various features, know what kind of classification system they use, it is pretty common for academic libraries to use Library of Congress (it seems like St Andrews does.) A good place to find this out is either on their information page or by comparing their catalogue with St Andrews. If they use the same call numbers as St Andrews for the same books, then they use the Library of Congress.

If you are a detail oriented person, it is a good idea to stress this, especially if the position is the the cataloguing or acquisitions departments. If you will be working at the circulation desk or reference desk, play up any interpersonal skills you may have. And definitely mention any library or office experience you may have.

Also, if you can find this out, and you do have previous library experience, you definitely want to mention if you have ever worked with the same Integrated Library System that the library you are applying to has. The ILS is the program that controls the online catalogue, checking in and out of books, and acquisitions. This can sometimes be found through the library's website. I believe that I read that St Andrews uses one of the products put out by Millennium, which is the same one used by my library and I believe is one of the three most commonly used. Having experience with the ILS can help set you apart from other applicants.

I hope that this helps. If I think of anything else, I'll post it. If you know what department of the library is in, I can probably be a bit more specific with my help.

Good luck with the interview. Working in a library has been the best job I have ever had.

[Raindance]

Interview at a library?

Just remember to keep your voice down.

[hr]

I'm only here because b3ta is broken.