What's it like working in a library

[Hello1290]

Has anyone worked in a local council library. Is it a nice job ?

Yes and yes! Unfortunately library jobs are pretty rare these days. You're rarely bored. Downsides are pay and getting a lot of colds (working with lots of people and poor ventilation). It's a lot like retail but people tend to be less rude.

Thank you for replying. I have seen a local job advertised and I do love books! I'm concerned about rowdy groups or people being aggressive but I guess that can happen anywhere if you work with the general public.

Very quiet??

I can't speak for myself but the people staffing my local library never seem that happy in their work .

You're lucky to find paid positions in public libraries around here, now - our council have largely got rid of paid staff in favour of volunteers, who are well-meaning but also part of why our service is now not what it should be.

You could treat it as a stepping stone - I work in a university library and we do get people from the public libraries joining us. But I wouldn't expect it to work out as a long term thing, because the public library sector is basically chronically underfunded and first in line for cuts, and with so many volunteers happy to potter in for their four hours a week, why would councils feel the need to pay for staffing?

I loved my library job back in the late 1990s in Newcastle upon Tyne. Possibly by favourite job ever! Nice people, clean environment, decent hours, lots of books...

My first job was in a library on Saturdays. I worked there all the way through 6th form. Sadly I think those jobs have all disappeared now. Our local library is lovely and does have staff but not many as they’re not open every day.

I loved working there, it was so easy going. I used to get annoyed that I couldn’t just sit there and read though.
I now work in a stressful senior role in the city and have often wondered if I will eventually quit and work in a library again, like coming full circle.

It’s a pretty mindless job similar to retail. Stamp the books out. Scan them back in and put them back on the shelves. People are more polite than retail and it’s quieter. A nice easy min wage job if that’s what you’re looking for.

I worked in an NHS medical library & did a L3 diploma. I checked in and out book loans & signing up new users, but a large part of my time was spent troubleshooting IT issues.

After some training from a qualified librarian I showed people how to search for and access research articles, manage references, and eventually conduct literature searches. I also sourced copies of research articles and book chapters for colleagues across our Trust to support ongoing study and professional development.

Sometimes I helped people navigate new systems, like a pull printing system, the ebook library or a new way of making mileage claims. I also processed new books and disposals.

In a public library I'd imagine you'd get a lot of enquiries for help with using computers - job searches, online forms, benefit applications - and probably support some people with v limited IT skills.

I'd expect you'd need to demonstrate good IT skills (MS Office type stuff) in application & at interview.

I found it quite difficult to move between sectors - despite a couple of years experience I couldn't even get shortlisted for academic library assistant roles (I got interviews for general admin roles at the same institutions, so I don't think my application style was the issue).

It’s more like working in a community centre than retail and certainly could not be described as a nice or quiet job. There are lots of different roles within libraries I suspect those saying it is just stamping books and stacking shelves haven’t worked in or indeed visited a library in the last 15 years.

I couldn't even get shortlisted for academic library assistant roles
I applied for - and didn't get - a PT LA role in a uni law library with public and academic library experience and a master's in law from the uni itself

In our local library, it's mainly posh parents and grandparents, so nice clientele. Lots of kids groups through the day, some adult groups using the community room.

It also appears the role requires good IT skills to be able to help customers on the computers.

From reading the replies it seems the role has changed over the years and it is more about giving out information, helping/hosting events etc
I still like the sound of it though :) Thanks everyone.

I am a qualified Librarian, I currently work at a university library. As others have said library work is about much more than stamping out books, in a public library it really will be helping people use PCs, giving out information etc. Maybe getting to help with children's library rhyme times and things.

One word of advice for your application form, if it says why do you want to work in a library don't just say it's because you like books! When I see that on an application form it makes me think the applicant actually knows nothing about what the job involves. List any customer service experience you have / working with the public etc. And then add liking books / reading as an extra bonus!

Thanks for this tip Fruity. I do have recent experience of working with the general public so hopefully this will help my application :)