My job as a librarian is to answer questions. Sometimes the questions are interesting, sometimes they aren't. Sometimes they reveal incredible things about the people asking, sometimes they are as mundane as it gets. But I love my job. Questions encourage curiosity and that's what I'm all about. "Do you like your job?" is probably the question I get asked the most. The people asking usually mention that working in a library is their idea of a dream job. I understand and I agree. However, keep in mind that nightmares are also dreams, and working in the library might not be for everyone. A lot of people come to library work as a second career. Sometimes it works out perfectly, but sometimes they wind up with a situation they were not prepared for. Here are some questions to ask yourself if you are considering library employment: 1. Am I prepared to work with the public? This of course assumes that you're wondering about public libraries. The public library means the public. Everyone is invited. We do not judge and we do not exclude based on any criteria you can think of, the exception being that you are a known felon. If that were the case, I would report you when you walked in. But unless your behavior, odor, or appearance are disturbing others who are trying to use the library, you are welcome. Think about all of the different types of people in the world. Now pretend they all want your help and you are obligated to help them. Does this sound like something you could do? What if someone asked you for help researching a question that absolutely turned your stomach? This is unlikely, but it does happen. It has happened to me. Think about an environment where anyone is welcome and you are on the front lines. Be honest and just think about it. 2. Does it pay enough? The funding for a library can really vary depending on the state or city it is in. Make sure you get a feel for the political and financial climate of the library you are interested in. 3. Am I a curious person? This is the most relevant question to me. Librarians are a group of people who are so interested in everything that they signed up to become professional generalists. We are usually not suited for other jobs because other jobs don't allow us to indulge our curiosity to the extent we'd like. If you are always asking questions, I believe you would fit right in with us. If you can answer the questions above without flinching, I would consider that a clue! The best thing you can do is go into your public library and talk to the librarians. Ask them what they like about their jobs, but listen twice as hard when you ask them what they don't like about their jobs. It will speak volumes, if you'll pardon the pun. Good luck!
Article Source: http://www.bizymoms.com/expert-advice
Please visit Josh Hanagarne, aka the World's Strongest Librarian, at his blog where he writes about books, Russian Kettlebells, and Library careers.