Americans do not read as much as they did in the past. There are significantly fewer readers today than there were four years ago. Instead of borrowing or buying traditional books, many have turned to electronic devices. It is a sad fact that only half of Americans today can read above an eighth grade level. Libraries throughout the country are reflecting these changes. There is a demand for staff open to new ways of doing things and forward thinking. When considering new library staffing LA communities need to ask relevant questions.
You need to know whether applicants believe libraries have the capacity to impact communities. You want to hire staff that appreciates the role of libraries in communities to make them stronger and address the needs of its citizens. Libraries have the power to produce change by sponsoring job fairs and computer, reading and writing literacy programs.
Customer service is an important part of any staffing role. Libraries are open to the public, and not all patrons are easy to get along with. Staff must be adaptable and have the right temperament for the job. Going the extra mile is part of the job. Librarians are regularly called on to help patrons with research projects and explain the way works are categorized.
It's easy to give a general answer to the question of customer service, so the person doing the interviewing might ask the applicant to give a concrete example of how he or she handled a difficult client. You are looking for someone who knows how to remain composed in a difficult situation and has problem solving skills.
Asking how the job applicant would handle assisting college students with research will give you an idea of how qualified he or she is. You need to have people in place with an intimate knowledge of what resources are available at their location. The staff must be able to help students with requests for books available at other libraries within their system. Staff members must be resourceful and organized.
You might want to ask the candidate how he or she would go about improving current library conditions to make them more conducive to learning, without regard to the patron's age, status, or gender. One valid answer might be creating stations with easy chairs, good lighting, and healthy plants in pots. This area, as with all the facility, must be kept free of clutter. The hours the library is open to the public should reflect the fact that many of the patrons are working adults.
No interview would be complete without questioning applicants about the role they think social media should play in libraries. You want to hire an individual with enthusiasm about the positive aspects of social media, who has some experience with the various platforms, and understands how to market the library's resources to a targeted audience.
Libraries can't survive by clinging to their tradition as a repository for books that only card carrying patrons can check out. They must be interactive and forward thinking. Libraries need staff willing to recognize the distinction and build on it.
You need to know whether applicants believe libraries have the capacity to impact communities. You want to hire staff that appreciates the role of libraries in communities to make them stronger and address the needs of its citizens. Libraries have the power to produce change by sponsoring job fairs and computer, reading and writing literacy programs.
Customer service is an important part of any staffing role. Libraries are open to the public, and not all patrons are easy to get along with. Staff must be adaptable and have the right temperament for the job. Going the extra mile is part of the job. Librarians are regularly called on to help patrons with research projects and explain the way works are categorized.
It's easy to give a general answer to the question of customer service, so the person doing the interviewing might ask the applicant to give a concrete example of how he or she handled a difficult client. You are looking for someone who knows how to remain composed in a difficult situation and has problem solving skills.
Asking how the job applicant would handle assisting college students with research will give you an idea of how qualified he or she is. You need to have people in place with an intimate knowledge of what resources are available at their location. The staff must be able to help students with requests for books available at other libraries within their system. Staff members must be resourceful and organized.
You might want to ask the candidate how he or she would go about improving current library conditions to make them more conducive to learning, without regard to the patron's age, status, or gender. One valid answer might be creating stations with easy chairs, good lighting, and healthy plants in pots. This area, as with all the facility, must be kept free of clutter. The hours the library is open to the public should reflect the fact that many of the patrons are working adults.
No interview would be complete without questioning applicants about the role they think social media should play in libraries. You want to hire an individual with enthusiasm about the positive aspects of social media, who has some experience with the various platforms, and understands how to market the library's resources to a targeted audience.
Libraries can't survive by clinging to their tradition as a repository for books that only card carrying patrons can check out. They must be interactive and forward thinking. Libraries need staff willing to recognize the distinction and build on it.
About the Author:
When you are searching for information about library staffing LA residents can come to our web pages today. More details are available at http://www.wjmoon.com/Library-Consulting-Services.html now.
Comments
Post a Comment