Part Time Jobs to Get Library Experience Without Being in a Library

As a budding librarian (well, almost budding librarian, not quite in library school just yet), I know that experience is key to getting a job in the field. Although universities and the ALA website suggest that the prospect for librarian jobs in the future will be fantastic due to many librarians retiring, what they do not mention is that these positions are simply getting cut rather than getting filled. Basically, I am intending on going to school for a job that does not have an awesome job outlook. This only makes me realize even more how much experience will help. There seems to be a lack of part time jobs in libraries as well, and especially in my area. Although I have hopes set on a new library being built at my school, I asked a librarian board what kind of experience would be relevant outside of a library.

These were the top responses:

Customer Service

Libraries like to see customer service, where ever it may be. Not just any customer service, but effective customer service. Were you able to work well with the customers or clients? Did you help them solve problems, not just go through a routine? I worked at Best Buy customer service for over a year, and during that time I did not just do returns and exchanges. I essentially gave mini classes on how to use various electronic devices, helped customers set up their new toys, and when a unique situation came up I only contacted a manager if absolutely needed and otherwise solved it to the best of my absolute ability.

Web 2.0 & Other Tech Skills

While this does not always have to translate into a part-time job, just having Web 2.0 skills seems to be a big deal now for libraries. This includes blogging, social media skills, light HTML skills, etc. You do not need to be an expert coder, but a general knowledge of a variety of current web trends is a great thing to have. If you don't know where to start, I would recommend starting with learning how to use Google Drive and Blogger. With Blogger, as you delve into customized templates, you will gradually learn a little HTML. Keep up with your LinkedIn, Facebook (if you have it public), and Twitter as best you can as well.

As far as other tech skills, this is what was recommended:

Libraries with the budget for it are scrambling to put together mobile apps and IM reference, collaborative work-spaces online for employees, and so on. If you can build them or assess and recommend them, great! But even just being aware of what is out there and how to use it, what special skills are required that are a bit different from more traditional modes, this should help you.

Bookstore

Although obviously it's because you are around books, it is also good to get experience in the distribution network and the general book business. Libraries must order books too!

Printing Store/Plant

Working at a printing store or plant can help you learn about the distribution and production of the books that are sent out to libraries. Understanding this process can help you make good decisions when ordering books.

Teaching

This can include being with kids, holding mini workshops, tutoring, and so on. Teaching helps you gain great communication skills such as being able to communicate in multiple learning styles. Some people need things broken down certain ways, and some people need things quickly or can figure out more on their own. Learning people's styles and how to handle them is great for reference work.

In the end...

It is about having meaningful experience. Working in the kitchen of a restaurant is not going to give you valuable experience for a library except perhaps working with others. Taking that next step and becoming a server instead shows customer service, great communication and memory skills, and the ability to work on your feet as well as working with others. It is all in the way you use your experiences.

What are some other part time jobs that would give great library-related experience?

What Librarians Want for their Libraries

A little while ago, I asked a few librarians what they would want if they could redesign their library or any aspect on it. Being a student at a school with an exceptional library, it did not occur to me that many of these things would even be problems, so they were interesting to see.

Some of the requests:

1. Study rooms

This was a huge request and it is sad to see that many libraries don't already accommodate this.  At my university library, you must reserve a study room in advance. By the time I usually even think about doing this, all of the rooms have been reserved well in advance. There are plenty of group areas so usually this has not been an issue, and many buildings on campus are open in the evenings so we can use the lobbies in those as well, but regardless it would be nice to have a lot more quieter areas.

2. Outlets

Oh, the pain of outlets. During the design phase of many libraries, laptops weren't a common thing and outlets weren't viewed as needed. My library has alleviated this problem by using the multiple outlet surge protectors, but this may not be a solution for all libraries given the locations of the outlets to begin with.  If your study tables are in the middle of the floor and outlets are along the walls, there is going to be a problem.

3. Better Lighting

I worked in my community college library for a little while and I noticed this problem as well. I have to ask, how difficult is it to update to LED lighting? Bright areas enhance studying so much and makes me want to be in a library.

4. Hacker lab / Technology Sandbox

It is so much fun to explore technology and it seems like a library would be the perfect place to do it. Unfortunately, books are becoming less relevant as more technology reveals itself, but libraries could easily transform to accommodate this. My library has a technology sandbox that has smart boards, a quad screen, Microsoft surfaces and more. It's small, but it's constantly filled and used.

There were plenty of other library specific requests as well, such as separating offices better and cutting down on the size of the circulation desk. How would you want to improve your library? Do you have a system of recommendations for improvements on the library?