Library assistant interview questions if you have a degree in library science and experience in organizing library activities then library assistant is the perfect suitable job for you. Describe a particularly stressful or chaotic situation at the reference desk. Think back to your reference interview class or look up reference interview and refresh your memorya lot of this is asking questions and thinking creatively, and you know how to do this. The word librarian, for some, may conjure up an image of a fussy, old school marm who is more interested in maintaining silence from people than the people themselves. Several of the examples the author shared demonstrated a real need for refresher courses in customer service and reference interview skills, which distracted from the content and did not inspire a feeling of confidence in the authors skills as a librarian. Patrons can be reticent about expressing the precise nature of their inquiry, so patience and tact may be. Fundamentals of library and information science abdulwahab olanrewaju issa, ph. Five great questions i was asked as a reference librarian. The role of the teacher librarian is considered in more detail by the school library association of south australia slasa, which makes reference to managing the school librarys automated system and recommends that teacher librarians contribute to the. The role of the teacher librarian is considered in more detail by the school library association of south australia slasa, which makes reference to managing the school librarys automated system and recommends that teacher librarians contribute to the school web page or intranet slasa 2003. Sep 10, 20 this video is based on the 6th edition of the publication manual of the american psychological association.
Nebraska star reference manual the reference interview. Library of skillbased interview questions important soft. So, here are a few librarian interview questions to get selected for the interview. The reality is, however, that many librarians are on the cutting edge of many new technologies and much more invested in quality customer. Thomas ottaviano suny geneseo rochester regional library. Public libraries see your reference librarian for the sources that will best fit your needs. Reference books search strategies the quality of resources making recommendations the reference interview directional. The role of librarians in the development of education in nigeria final report by victoria o. Overview basics of legal research legal reference interview finding forms and clinics. Genealogy basics for library staff explore tools and resources library staff need to conduct an effective genealogy reference interview plus basic search strategies and case studies to help hone your skills. Reference services definition reference service is the supreme and ultimate function of the library. Basic reference skills for nonreference librarians, is a fullonline course designed to help librarians who have never done reference work get up to speed. A reference interview is a conversation between a librarian and a library user, usually at a reference desk, in which the librarian responds to the users initial explanation of his or her information need by first attempting to clarify that need and then by directing the user to appropriate information resources. Sometimes the first question a patron asks is really just trying to find out.
It explains how to reference sources within the text of your paper 0. The role of librarians in the 21 st century paper presented by mila m. The questions i saw formed a great resource, so i have taken what were old paper copies of tips and advice and updated it with newer, online content. The evolution of the reference interview scholarly commons at. Examples of how you can cite this in the paper are shown here. I created this resource after cleaning out an old file cabinet in my office where i came across interview questions from my first librarian job search in 2002. The public speaking scenario ive just described to you was real. With my newly minted mls, i thought i better do a good reference interview. Basic reference skills for non reference librarians is a fullonline course designed to help librarians who have never done reference work get up to speed. A librarian s guide jack simpson this book offers novice and experienced reference librarians an introduction to triedandtrue genealogy.
The moment i got the call for an interview, i immediately asked my partner to help me prepare. Librarians guide to genealogical research james swan. What do you do when you get the call to interview for a librarian job. Kroeger reference service as assistance in the use of resources of the library. The oneonone connection with a library patronthe classic reference interviewdoes not count here. Shining a light on the reference librarian role as. Fundamentals of library and information science abdulwahab o. Services association rusa, the reference interview is the heart of the reference transaction and is crucial to the success of the process strong listening and questioning skills are necessary for a positive interaction.
Reference interview 101 kaukauna public library staff training. Library users can consult the staff at the reference desk for help in finding information. Virtual reference interviewing and neutral questioning. The steps of the reference interview state library of iowa. Download 17 librarian interview questions and answers pdf.
Top reference guides, howto books, and finding aids c. American library association is collaborating with jstor to digitize. The accidental health sciences librarian is an excellent starting point, targeted primarily to students and prospective health sciences librarians as it provides a solid overview of this specialty. The goal of the technology reference interview is to figure out how much the patron knows already so the librarian knows where to begin. The most recent search for the referenceinstruction librarian had over 180 qualified applicants which means they got past our initial screen in the online human resources form. Beutter manus music librarian for education and outreach vanderbilt university. Curry texas womans university abstract this paper examined the reference interview literature over the past 10 years to determine how thinking. Comfort in that situation does not necessarily translate to an atease attitude when speaking publically. Basic reference skills for nonreference librarians ecourse. Ramos 35 th alap anniversary forum june 8, 2007 uplb ceat auditorium.
Position definition organizes and supervises the services and activities in the reference services division, including reference, community outreach programs and automated reference services. If youve ever thought a librarians job was easy and if you have, youve already got to know how wrong you are perhaps these questions will highlight some of the challenges faced every day. Reference service is sometimes referred to as reference and information services or reader services. Now i normally dont blog about specific patron encounters, but this one was years ago circa 2003 when i was a newbie librarian. Rajasthan subordinate and ministerial services selection board released the exam date for investigatorinspector posts. Shining a light on the reference librarian role as reference services adapt to users needs. Using a structured reference interview, the librarian works with the library user to clarify their needs and determine what information sources will fill them. Approved by the rusa board of directors, september 7, 2017. How to interview for a librarian job information space.
Following the steps of the reference interview can help library customers articulate what information they really need. Of particular benefit was the fact that even the most basic personal. Patron misconceptions, or why the reference interview is necessary. And of course, a librarian never talks down to a patron or talks at them without listening while doing a reference interview. Entire issues of library journals devoted to genealogy b. Types of reference questions specific item questions citations or partial citations topical questions mixed. Professional competencies for reference and user services. The librarian maintains the books collections of the library as well as other material such as. May 20, 2014 after years of practicing adult collection development skills in a mediumsized suburban public library, i have discovered that specific shortcut rules have become second nature to me. How do you develop and maintain a library collection that will meet the needs of our students, parents, and staff. A man approached the reference desk and asked a simple question.
Part 1 legal research basics coall csl deborah hamilton, strategic services librarian law collection. Download 17 librarian professional interview questions pdf guide. Mlis 7125, genealogy for librarians, 1 valdosta state. Basic reference skills for nonreference librarians is a fullonline course designed to help librarians who have never done reference work get up to speed. Pdf purpose this study aims to explore the effectiveness and learning.
Candidates should give a shortlist of strengths, and back each one up with examples that illustrate the strength. Library philosophy and practice 2008 february 2 the answer to that question will differ greatly depending upon who the patron is. You are not allowed to upload these documents and share on other websites execpt social networking sites. The intent of is for our users to build confidence for their job interview, by using our thousands of interview questions and answers as they practice and prepare for their interview. The 25 most common interview questions, with explanations and red flags, and. Librarian interview questions and answers will guide you that a librarian is an information professional trained in library and information science, which is the organization and management of information services or materials for those with information needs. How do you, the reference provider, work together with a patron to figure out what it is they need to know and how to help them find it. Its easy, though, to let your business reference fears get the better of you and to forget this in the.
This article provides job interview questions with suggested answers for the job positions of school librarian, reference librarian and. What type of schedule would you set up for library classes. Here are a librarians job description, work environment, specializations, educational requirements, skills, interview questions, and salary information. Highsmith, 1998 older but still good favorite free genealogy websites and databases ancestry library edition. Without conducting a thorough reference interview, the librarian was not able to assist the user in identifying the facts which may determine the legal issues involved. So naturally, in a technology interview the librarian will be talking with the patrons. While the reference interview remains the vehicle whereby librarians are able to. You worked hard on something, only to be told to change priorities and do it some other way. Common librarian interview questions with answers wisestep. We believe, most of our visitors can become more likely to succeed in their job interview with hardwork and practice.
Basic reference skills for non reference librarians, is a fullonline course designed to help librarians who have never done reference work get up to speed. The librarian must be effective in identifying the patrons information needs and must do so in a manner that keeps patrons at ease. Maine state library voluntary librarian certification program. A librarians guide is aimed at those who control the most effective of a genealogists resources. As the professional organization for reference and user services, the reference and users services association rusa has developed and updated a model statement of competencies essential for successful reference and user services librarians. The 25 most common interview questions complete guide. Date of the interview is needed, make it as accurate as possible. Libraries unlimited, 2008 librarians guide to genealogical research. To borrow a medical analogy, reference librarians diagnose and treat information deficiencies. He or she may also offer a remote access via internet to virtual sources. Deborah hamilton, strategic services librarian law collection.
Everyone who lives and works in your community needs information. Just the basics music reference workshop vanderbilt university october 10, 20 presented by sara manus music librarian for education and outreach anne potter wilson music library vanderbilt university sara. Discovering the needs of each individual who comes in to the library calls for people skills. To maintain that level, the librarian must complete 5 libraryrelated courses, workshops, or webinars during the calendar year after being issued certification. Project muse the accidental law librarian by anthony aycock.
A free inside look at librarian interview questions and process details for 184 companies all posted anonymously by interview candidates. By the 19th century, the understanding metamorphosed into a building, room, or set of rooms containing a collection of books for the use of the. In light of what taylor says, we can look at the librarianuser interaction with more awareness even if we put aside a possible library anxiety issue there may still be. I present here an annotated rundown of my shortcuts that can help anyone create and maintain viable and successful collections for customers older than 10. An interview kate at the merrimack college library. Library of skillbased interview questions here are nearly 200 sample interview questions that hiring managers can use to spot the presence of important soft skills. Ask this question to learn how much importance a candidate places on maintaining a customeroriented space. A librarian serves as a point of reference who can influence and direct others in their quest. This paper examined the reference interview literature over the past 10 years to determine how thinking. A reference librarian in the digital environment provides digital reference services through email, web forms, ask services, chat reference, videoconferencing or webcamera services, digital reference robots, and collaborative digital reference. Ennis, a graduate of the university of tennessees school of information is a systems librarian, and mitchell, a graduate from georgia college and. The term librarian in this document applies to all who provide reference and informational services directly to library users. Pdf teaching the reference interview through practicebased. If an mls librarian chooses to participate in the certification, he or she will automatically receive an advanced level certification.
Mon, 24 june at 6am analyze african american lives, the first of series of multiepisodic documentaries tracing the genealogy of several notable african americans. Librarianpatron interaction in the virtual environment evelyn l. Jul 01, 2011 there are many definitions of the reference interview, but they all boil down to the same thing. As we can see from the video, its rarely as simple as it seems. Business professional development csusm university. Its also an interesting take on a reference interview for and by librarians. I thought it would be fun to compile a handful of the best, most unique, and most headscratching questions i was asked as a reference librarian. There are many definitions of the reference interview, but they all boil down to the same thing. Download absolutely free librarian job interview questions and answers guide in pdf format.
The practical librarians guide to collection development. Ama writing, citing, tutoring, and studying resources. The reference interview staff website u of i library. Lawyers at this time, as part of their professional training, sat in court and. The accidental law librarian information today, inc. These cover all of the most common jobs, and many of the less common ones too. Oct 11, 2010 reference interview the interpersonal communication which occurs between a reference librarian and a library patron to determine the users specific information needs, which are not necessarily the same as the question initially posed. This is especially true if the question will be coded for follow up, a good reference interview is really essential, and it helps. A free inside look at reference librarian interview questions and process details for other companies all posted anonymously by interview candidates. The importance of the reference interview cannot be stressed enough. For instance, if the patron is a biology graduate student studying cancer, his needs would be scholarly, scientific, current. The consensus is to go for quality, not quantity here.
A librarians guide jack simpson this book offers novice and experienced reference librarians an introduction to triedandtrue genealogy. The reference interview is the heart of the reference transaction and is crucial to the success of the process. Getting hired for a post of a librarian requires a certain level of qualification and experience and, other than that a candidate needs to prepare themselves for the interview process. Itsekor centre for learning resources covenant university ota, nigeria victoria.