HELP! Employment question for the Librarians on the board.

[WannabeLibrarian]

I have asked questions of you before, quite recently, and you were very kind. I have since changed my talk name and I can't remember what name I last used when I asked the questions but I am the same person.

I am studying for my MSc in Lib and Info studies. I am thinking of stopping once I have completed the PG Diploma at the end of this year. I desperately need library experience since I was accepted onto the distance learning course with a background in Information work.

New question

My local village library is advertising for a Saturday Assistant. This would be a perfect job for me for a year or two whilst I still have a toddler and one starting school.

The application form is very basic. In fact, there isn't even a section for education. There is a section asking why I want the job and a section asking me to outline the duties in my last job.

So, do I mention my MSc or not? Should I pretend to be a SAHM with a career behind me who is looking for a nice little Saturday job or should I mention my MSc and how I am looking to gain library experience plus have a job that works around other commitments?

I would really like this job.

Non-Librarians are free to chime in with their opinion also.

I don't know about the MSc but I would think that being keen to gain library experience would be a positive thing to put down, not just any old Saturday job. I really wanted to get a graduate scheme training place and then go on to study librarianship but never got through an interview, and in the end I've become a legal secretary but in local government instead.

Good luck, will look out for the advice to you and want to know how this works out, hope to hear that you do indeed get the job.

A library assistant is an unqualified post, you would be taking basic enquiries, checking out books and shelving. AFAIK (I have only worked in specialist libraries, but my mum works in a public library) public libraries have very few professional posts nowadays - there will probably be just the one qualified librarian who oversees a number of libraries.

I don't think there's any harm in mentioning your MSc - but I think would be a good idea to stress that you are currently a SAHM just looking for a nice little Saturday job, so that they don't worry that you think it will lead to a professional post IYSWIM.

Explain that you have taken the MSc because you hope to pursue a career in public libraries in a few years time, but for the time being while your children are very young, you are looking a for a job that will fit around them. This job would be ideal as it would allow you to gain some experience of working in a library environment - don't say that it will allow you to put to use what you have learnt during your MSc because it won't!

hope that makes sense!

I'm not a librarian so feel free to ignore me but I would mention it if only because it shows an interest in what the library does and is there for. When I'm interviewing people I pay a lot of attention to evidence of their interest in my business - they all claim it but it's sometimes there for interview but without any evidence. If I were selecting a library assistant I would want someone who believed in the purpose of libraries - and rate that ahead of someone who just wanted a job that fitted round other things. You need to be realistic about what it offers - but it sounds like you are. Good luck.

"don't say that it will allow you to put to use what you have learnt during your MSc because it won't" - ]]]]]]

That will be easy since I feel I have learnt very little of practical value!

Do you think it will be OK to mention the job fitting in with family since it is just a Saturday job?

Should I say something about the job complimenting my studies?

Oops - that wasn't intentional. Ignore that - it's not a link.

My aim is to work in a University Library and maybe a decent Secondary school library some years down the line.

Would I be better off holding out for a Library Assistant job in a library or Primary/Secondary school? I do see them advertised from time to time.

I actually don't have an interest in working in a public library as a qualified Librarian. But I like the idea of working Saturdays as an assistant as it fits in so well with still having a one year old and takes the pressure off me a bit. It gives me the option to change my mind about doing a disertation and go for the full MSc since I'd retain my 2 mornings of childcare for DD2

Yes, say it is specifically in connection with your studies. We have no problem with appointing possibly "over-qualified" people in roles like Saturday work, so long as there is a mutual agreement that you can't expect the job to be regraded to professional level when you finish your MSc.
We have someone in exactly your position in post right now, as it happens.
She gets relevant work experience and a few extra sovs, we get someone with a lively interest in our work . Everyone's a winner!
My only misgiving here is whether you will in fact be better qualified than the Saturday Supervisor/Branch Librarian you will be working with.
If they have a say in shortlisting/appointing and are uncomfortable with that, it's going to be quite hard for you to get round it...

Can you remind me whereabouts in the UK you are Wannabe?
Have you contacted local colleges/schools to see if they maintain a bank of casuals to cover out of hours/weekend service?
London's academic libraries are stuffed with people like you covering weekends and evenings

Hi Wannabe - I am a librarian and started by working in my local library in the sixth form and in a college library in my vacations. This experience was far more useful than anything I learnt on my post graduate course! I never finished the Masters part of this course (a dissertation) but cannot imagine any of my employers - over the years would have been remotely impressed by a masters in information studies but were more interested in the fact that I had actual work experience. I would definitely go for it if it suits your other commitments. Even if you wanted to go in for a more specialised area of work in the long term, the experience you will get in a public library - dealing with enquiries etc will be useful.

TI'm not worried that the library will assume I have too high expectations, I am more worried that they will assume I will leave within a year.

Typos and poor grammar Let me assure you I draft my essays and proof read my job applications.

Thank you everyone for your advice so far. I am desperate to do some practical work, however menial it is.

Marina - I am on the South Coast. Appx 90 mins by train to London.

I might write to my most local University and see if they keep alist of bank staff. Do 6th form colleges open out of hours? I have a teacher husband so I am available through holidays too.

Another option is to try and arrange a 4 week work experience placement for the month of August but most academic libraries are shut then aren't they?

Not many academic libraries are shut in August.They are often doing housekeeping work and may be in need of some temporary help. I would write to the librarians and see if there are any jobs going.

Great idea. Thanks

We may be "shut" but I don't recommend applying to us . We are having our annual deep clean plus a major stock audit, a man in a van is coming in to paint over (note, not fix) a disgusting flood stain on the wall by the issue desk, IT are ripping cables out of walls and generally it will be chaos
Most sensible librarians realise that Saturday postholders don't stick around to collect their Long Service Gold Watch so I hope the people you've applied to don't have unrealistic expectations in that regard.
Wannabe, I'd see if there are any medical libraries serving nurses/health professionals. IME these are often busy year-round...