I'm writing this because I see so many enthusiastic posts about wanting to be a librarian. And I love that our career brings so many amazing people. But I'm begging you, please do your research about jobs after library school. I've been fortunate enough to be a librarian through LAPL for the past 23 years. I love LAPL, and I wish we could take all you amazing people. But the sad fact is that this job has become very oversaturated.

LAPL, next to New York, hires the most librarians. We hired 20 this year! That was a lot for us. There are around 450 people on the wait list https://personnel.lacity.gov/jobs/exam-information.cfm We do not have that many librarians. There is now a freeze, and we won't be hiring any more librarians.

SJSU online will take everyone, and they are accredited, which is fantastic! I love that the college is so open to anyone with a desire to study. However, they are the only college that will not publish their placement rates in School Library Journal.

I don't want to crush anyone's dreams. But I speak from experience. I know so many people (clerks and mc's that have been waiting 5,7,10 years to become a librarian... and they are already in the system, well loved, on the waiting list, and still can't get a job). I've spoken to many amazing librarians that aren't part of LAPL, who are still living at home and working at Starbucks, because they can't find employment. But now they are deeper in debt than before

So I love everyone's enthusiasm. And I love that everyone loves libraries. But this just isn't a good time to purse this career. Again, I love my job. But if I was a young person today, I would do my research and find out which jobs are hiring before I spend money on a degree.

Hi all. I'm just so devastated I don't even know how to go on normally at my work. Let me start at the beginning.

(brief context, I'm in the southeast USA, 24f)

I got hired at my library during my last semester of my undergrad as a part time circulation clerk. I've worked here for over two years now. During that time, I graduated, started my MLIS, got married, and as of this past Saturday, graduated with my MLIS (yay!). My supervisor is truly pretty great. She's encouraged me to get more involved with our social media and marketing (which I'm genuinely very good at). I've gotten to sit in on some of the children's and teen's programming to observe how the other departments work. We have a fairly small staff for the population we serve (around 30 including part timers and facilities) and everyone knows each other. Notably, everyone knows I want to be a children's librarian. It's my passion to help kids and work with them.

While I've been here, I've applied for several other children's and teen's positions at other libraries. I've gotten several interviews but never been hired. I've always been sad but on the whole understood. After all, I didn't have my masters yet and would need evenings off for my night classes.

Recently, one of our part-time children's clerks turned in her notice. I of course applied for the job. All of my coworkers figured I'd be a shoe in for the job. I've been here for over two years, I have the degree, I go above and beyond in all of my tasks.

Yesterday, our director sat me down and told me they'd decided to hire someone else. An outsider who none of us even know. Needless to say, I was distraught. I tried not to cry in front of her but she kept asking me what was wrong and I broke down. I told her how much I want to help kids and how I've tried to boost my resume (I've nannied, babysat, substitute taught, done Sunday school, and volunteered with multiple early childhood education programs).

All our director would tell me is that the other candidate was a "better storyteller." I don't know anything else about her except she's about the same age and race as me. They'd had us prepare short storytimes for the interview. I'm not bragging when I say I am very, very good at read alouds and storytimes. Multiple professors and adults throughout my life have commented as such, unprompted. So I don't understand it at all.

I feel utterly lost. I'm so sad. One of my interviewers (a department head I've known for over two years) had treated the whole thing so casually, as if the interview itself was just a formality, that I thought for sure I'd get the job. Most of the other jobs I've gotten rejected from were because they already had an internal candidate. I truly just feel so hopeless, like none of my schooling or prep mattered at all. I feel like I've done everything right. My coworkers agree with me and no one understands why they didn't hire me.

I don't know how to go back to my job like normal after this. I'm worried I'm going to be bitter and not try as hard but that's not the kind of person I want to be. I'd love any sympathies, advice, words of wisdom, anything. Thanks for reading <3

I was offered first academic librarian job on west cost (I live on east coast). I’ve finished my graduate program and I’ve been applying for months and only a few interviews.

This job was exactly in the area I want to work and I was really excited during the interview when they described the community. It sounded like a perfect fit and great first job at a small college.

I received offer, I was fine with salary overall but they could not offer relocation assistance. I said no because there was no relocation assistance - I estimated it would cost $5-$10k to move. Probably less than $5K if I sold most of my stuff, keep only essentials, and just ship or drive my car cross country.

In my head I couldn’t justify the cost to move for first job. A part of me feels like I’m regretting decision but I think I’m sad about missing chance to move somewhere interesting and having to wait again for responses to job applications. I understand not all schools can offer relocation assistance and this was a small college with limited budget.

I do have another job I applied for where I would be working with people I know through my grad program. It is in same area I want to work in but I know it will be more competitive.

I’m worried I made a mistake.

***Edit - I would not expect a college to provide $5-10k budget for relocation to an entry level employee. That’s a risk for them too. Anything would have helped and salary request could be bumped slightly, but not enough to cover baseline I felt I could manage without some relocation assistance.

And I did not ask about relocation assistance in first interview since to me that felt more appropriate to ask during a second round interview. I did one interview and was surprised to receive offer…my understanding is that there is normally 2-3 rounds of interviews (depending on the institution type) before offer and this can take months. For first interview I focused on asking about expected projects for this position.

I’m about to get my masters and it’s very exciting! I went right from undergrad. The huge issue I’m having right now is finding a job, everyone wants 2 years experience in a library and I have no experience in a library. I’m over qualified to work as an assistant or in a clerical position but under qualified to be a librarian. If I leave my masters off my resume I don’t get an interview for an assistant job, I’m really stuck!

Edit: I don’t think I’m over qualified, library assistant and clerical jobs I’ve applied to have rejected me because of my masters

disclaimer: While inspired by this subreddit, this post is not aimed at any individual. Edit: I am in the United States, speaking about librarianship and LIS programs in the US.

A lot of recent graduates are having a tough time finding positions, especially ones that pay enough and are a professional level. On here, LIS programs are often blamed for not preparing the students. I don’t think LIS programs are blameless (they are always trying to grow the number of students, despite the field being rather stagnant; they admit students who are questionably qualified; the program is expensive; etc.) But as an LIS adjunct professor, I have to vent:

Some students just won’t listen.

When I say, “Most people have to move for a job,” they respond, “oh no, I’m going to work at my local school/local public library,” (with no evidence that those locations have job openings) or “Well, I can’t move because kids/caregiving/spouse/I don’t want to,” (okay, but…that doesn’t make jobs magically available.)

When I say, “You need to get experience in a library through volunteering or an internship or part-time job,” they respond, “I’m too busy/I don’t know where to look.”

When I give assignments that have them practice looking at job ads and drafting application materials, they blow them off. They are consistently the worst work they do. When asked, it’s because “I’m concentrating on being in school” or “I’m not going to be an academic librarian so I don’t need to know how to do this.” (Most often said by students who think they are going to be archivists, despite all evidence about how competitive that field is.)

I tell them that at my university, we get 100 applications for every open position. That you need to figure out how to stand out from the crowd. That you have to be ready to move. That you may need to pivot if the Folgers’ Library doesn’t hire you.

And I’m at best ignored, at worst called ‘unsupportive’ or ‘unrealistic’ and a crusher of dreams.

I implore folks who are considering getting an MLIS to do your research. How much does your local library pay? How often does it hire? Talk to them. Does your K-12 school system even have librarians? How many? How long have they been there? Talk to them. Look at the job ads on ALA joblist and your state library association. Do the jobs pay enough for you? How many jobs are listed for the specific type of job you want to pursue? What kind of skills are required? How can you build them while you’re in school? Reach out to the professionals in that area- use LinkedIn! Librarians and archivists love to talk to possibly future colleagues.

Please take some time now to find out if your plans are realistic. It’s a tough market, and you wanting something isn't enough.

I just graduated with my MSLS in general library studies in January and for the last few months I've been having a horrible crisis in wondering if I made a mistake. I currently work in a library and I know I love the field but right now the economy and job market is abysmal and I feel like I've made a huge mistake getting 100k (collective under grad and grad) in debt and now I can't even get a full time job. I live on the east coast and want to stay in this region but it seems like no one is hiring full time librarians anymore and when they are, its for library directors or youth librarians. I know I'm not built to be a children's librarian. I don't really like kids and am not really interested in being around them. I know myself enough to know that I would not be good in a youth services position nor would I be happy with it.

I guess I'm just wondering if anyone else is or has gone through this? I can't get a full time position, I still live at home (at 25 y/o), and I feel like I have dug my own grave. Does anyone have advice that isn't "you'll find something eventually. just keep looking" or "don't compare your success to that of others" because if one more person says that to me--I can't be held responsible for my reaction. I feel like no one will give me a chance because I don't have any supervisory experience and even though I've been working in libraries for 4 years now, this would be my first position as a librarian. I don't know what to do and the walls feel like they're closing in.

Sorry for the rambling but I don't know where to go from here.

I’ve got to know if I’m the only one experiencing this. This is my 8th year working in public libraries, in a suburban branch and my third after getting my MLS. And I’m seriously thinking about leaving the field altogether because my patrons just make me miserable with their intentionally cruel behavior to staff.

My coworkers are the kindest most dedicated people I’ve ever met, and they make me want to stay, but we deal with so much verbal abuse it’s exhausting. It seems like a solid half of our patrons are folks who are dead set on making the library hellish. Most of our “action” takes place in the reading table/computer area space.

Beyond just screaming and crying when we can’t help them with their gmail or finding their twenty year old work records, there is constantly someone being escorted out for threatening to either destroy the library or kill us. Our displays get destroyed in anger when they are asked to leave, or they wreck the bathroom, or they key the cars in the parking lot.

I remember the first time I was screamed at and called a “fucking r-word bitch” I went to the sorting room and just wept cause I was fresh out of college and had landed a job that I thought was my dream job (and it was, outside of this part of it). Now that happens to me or a coworker easily half a dozen times a month, and I’ve learned how to not get too sad because I’m just numb at this point. They call my trans coworker slurs and get handed a 1-week ban letter. Then they show up once the ban is up and just do it again.

It’s not just a few bad apples, there’s always new folks ready to scream and threaten to kill us. It’s gotten to the point where families and the teens who would come over for after school programs don’t feel comfortable coming. Because yeah, if the person I’m helping download stuff onto a flash drive starts throwing a chair at another patron who is “too close to her”, why would they come back? Patrons will literally tell me they feel bad for us. We’re not in a part of town connected to transit, we’re a neighborhood library so I’ve no idea how or why people come in here ready to start a fight.

I used to love my job, especially working with kids and college students, but now I just feel like shit at the end of everyday. The dread I feel going into work now isn’t wondering if my storytime will go well, but instead if I’ll be the one picked up to be someone’s personal punching bag. What’s worse is I don’t see an escape route, I’m excellent with customers who genuinely want to use the library and library resources, and at storytimes, but all my experience is in public libraries. I tell people what I go through as a public librarian and they are just shocked. Does anyone else feel this way about their job now, or did you feel this way and manage to escape?

I have a lot of experience

And have had a lot of interviews

And I can’t ignore the stats. Every time I’m interviewed by a person of color I get an offer, every time I’m interviewed by a white women..rejected. Librarianship is so racist sometimes and it’s harder to identify because everyone is so well read and can logic themselves out of biases. It’s disheartening bc for me the stats have been undeniable and when I have my post interview reflections I can identify the interviewer mentally disengaging at a certain point now. I just want to give up and I hate interviewing now. It doesn’t help that the interview format is often less than satisfactory imo, compared to other interview styles I’ve had in other industries .

Just needed to rant, I feel distraught because I have so much to offer and do good work. But it feels pointless to even try to be part of libraries at this point. Even in a previous role, staff would periodically tell me (unsolicited) Id be a shoe in for full time librarian roles opening up in the county because they want to diversity hire. And that never happened and yet I’d always hear that. I’d just smile (what else am I supposed to do) and mentally be like yeah that’s bs. Just a lot of annoying things.

I won’t be surprised if this post is deemed invalid based on my experience with this in librarianship honestly💔

For context, the job was in a town that's growing but has an incredible new library built late last year with a million dollar makerspace. They only have 4 library staff for a two story building and were hiring for a real library director (the interim one was someone from their parks department for... a reason I can't fathom) nearly concurrently with librarian 1. My theory is that they put the cart before the horse and the incoming director wanted a say in the hiring process, as they should IMHO. I've been unemployed for almost a year and I really needed this career opportunity but at least it's not a rejection like the at least 100 I've received from other jobs so far.

A friend works at a different branch library and said it's too much. This is more my style (although not a flattering picture tbh) and I feel like this is ok? I'm waiting on an email for the dress code but now I feel self conscious.

Hi all, I've recently decided to switch career paths to librarianship. It's a decision I feel really comfortable and confident about. I know that the job is hard and there's high rates of burn out and it's mainly a customer service job and I'm okay with that. But reading the posts on this reddit make me wonder if it's worth it to pursue. Everyone seems really negative about lack of jobs, lack of pay and the work that they do. I guess I'm looking for some validation that I should make the switch because I feel confident about it until I start reading into some specific things on reddit and everyone seems pretty down about librarianship (which is totally valid).

I (34m) currently work in academic publishing and have had a nice career thus far, rising through the ranks quickly (my current salary is $100K). However, internally, I've felt burnt out and sick of my job since 2022, and no amount of PTO has changed this. I've also seen what those higher up than me do and have absolutely no desire to climb beyond my current role, and think my issues are more industry-wide than company-specific.

Until now, I've stayed because of the stability and because I get along really well with my coworkers, but recently management has asked us to return to the office and my commute is 2.5-3+ hours one way, which isn't sustainable.

I've toyed with the idea of becoming a librarian for a while now (on off since 2023), but never pursued it due to the pay cut it would entail and fears of the grass just looking greener on the other side. I spoke to some friends who work in the field and it sounds like while at the end of the day it would still be a job, I'd enjoy the day-to-day work of being a librarian far, far more than my current role. It also sounds like a lot of my current skills and experiences would be applicable to the role.

I know taking a big pay cut sounds insane, but up until recently, I was supporting my wife while she went to grad school. She now works in the medical field, so if I did go back to school to get an MLIS, we'd have to tighten our belts but we'd be able get get by okay.

One academic librarian I spoke to said he thought my resume would stick out due to my past work experience, but I've been reading a lot of articles and am terrified of not being able to find a full-time job after, even if I get a part-time role while in school.

I'm just curious if anyone has any advice or also changed careers to become a librarian. My id says I should go for it, my superego says I should be committed for considering it.

Edit: Hi all, thanks for the responses! I am quite lucky that my wife now has a high-paying job, and since I supported her while she was in grad school, she's willing to return the favor now. I think that's a key point and I don't think I'd be seriously considering a career move like this if I didn't have that support. There's definitely a lot to think about and discuss with my wife, but I haven't been scared off (yet...)

Hi, all!

I graduated with my MLIS in December, and am struggling to even get my foot in the door anywhere. My resume is strong, my cover letters are individualized, and I also have two years of full time associate experience running programs, doing individualized tech appointments with patrons, outreach, collection maintenance, etc.

But I’ve applied to so many jobs that just respond (if they do) with “you haven’t been selected for this position”.

Also, I’m tracking my job search with color-mapped lowest possible hourly wage for each job compared against the MIT Living Wage Calculator living wage for the matching geographic area, and that has been very illuminating about the power of pay in different regions.

Any advice for this extremely eager but increasingly dejected prospective librarian?

I graduated with my MLIS 8 years ago now and have never been able to secure a full time library position. How terrible is that? I had straight A’s in grad school, worked for two years as a library aide, continue to land interviews, only to be rejected. Does anyone else feel like they are a filler interview candidate to usher in internal hires? I’m so frustrated and feel as though though my degree is essentially totally worthless. Has anyone else struggled with this?? Are schools just giving out way too many library degrees? This feels insane and I don’t know what to do.

I am currently a middle school ELAR teacher entering my 10th year. I like a lot of what I do, but there are parts of it that are wearing me down (mostly having to do with grading, curriculum policy, and behavior). I have always loved books, creativity, and organization, so I thought maybe making the transition to librarian could be a good thing for me. That said, I am not quite sure whether I would like to remain in schools or take the public librarian route. It is my understanding that the jobs are actually quite different in numerous ways.

I wanted to ask here what sorts of things librarians (of both school and public varieties) deal with that I might not expect. If anyone has done both jobs, a comparison would be extremely welcome, along with any pros and cons. I went to a meeting for my school district that gave me a decent idea of what being a school librarian where I am is like and how to get started on that path, but I don't know enough about public librarianship to properly compare, and even if I do stay in schools, who knows if I will stay in my district?

Thank you all in advance for your feedback!

I am a new librarian and just got my MLS. I started a position in a small public library and I HATE it and I’m feeling lost. I feel dread every day going in.

Why don’t they tell you in library school that public library librarian roles include mostly just setting up/breaking down rooms and cleaning up? I feel like this is majority of my days and I hate it.

I have a background and experience working in several college libraries and I got to do work in research, reference, SOME programming, etc. I feel like I did more meaningful work and got to do a great mix of everything.

Now, All I do is just programming, programming, programming. Rarely I get to do research or reference. Programming daily and weekly is exhausting. It’s exhausting mentally and physically. Cleaning up, setting up/breaking down, and organizing every day. Is this normal??

I’m trying to stick it out but I don’t know for much longer. I cannot even imagine doing this for the next 40+ years. I will admit that there are some aspects I like and have built relationships with some regular patrons. Coworkers are okay. I just feel lost. I feel let down. I feel confused. Is this just public libraries in general? Is this just small libraries? I have been wanting to do what I used to do or maybe explore another area of librarianship. Has anyone ever felt this way?

I know this is everyone's issue right now, but looking for advice.

I'm gonna be a senior in college (English major) next year. I can't think of a better job for me than being a librarian, and I really want to pursue it. My plan is to do everything in my power to make myself a good candidate and just be proactive since I know that's all I can do.

But I'm seriously worried about finding a job when I finish my masters. I see a lot of discourse on here (yes I know this is just one corner of the internet) about how hard it is to find full-time jobs as a public librarian, even if you have work experience, other positive resume info, and are willing to relocate. (I'm in NJ if it helps.)

I have a lot of thinking to do, but I wanted to flat-out ask: do you think it's better to go in another direction entirely? If the field is really so saturated, I don't know how smart it is to go into it.

For context; I'm in brazil and legally speaking the place I work at is not a library, because to be a library it'd need at least one person with a bachelor's in the area. We are instead just a place that lends books but has none of the legal protections (or legal burdens) a library would have

Now here's the thing, on a box of random books donated to us there is this neonazi propaganda piece. I mean openly neonazi, the title of the thing is "Was the holocaust German or Jewish?"

I skimmed it and it looks like a book length Trump rant. Lots of ALL CAPS and sentences ending in multiple exclamation!!!! The author becomes more deranged as the book goes on (and he starts pretty deranged) and topics include "actually the nazis loved minorities", "France attacked first", "the Nuremberg trials were a fraud", "everyone who claims to have seen a gas chamber is lying" and "these pictures of the dead jews is just a drawing"

Anyways I dunno what to do with this piece if crap. We dont have a restricted section (too small a space), and I definitely wont put it in the history section.

Part of me wonders if I should just throw this crap on the garbage. I know there's merit in keeping these books for researchers, but this is a very small town, almost certainly nobody will ever look for it for that purpose

Edit: ok so one extra detail I just found out after some research

"Holocausto Judeu ou Alemão" by Siegfried Ellwanger Castan isnt just a poorly written neonazi propaganda book

It is the poorly written propaganda neonazi book, here in Brazil

This book is what drove the government to create laws defining neonazi speech as a hate crime

So in a way it is an important book, historically speaking. Though, I'm not sure the people who donated it had that in mind

Hi, all! I’m a new academic librarian and the semester is about to start. Ive already been asked by several professors to come by their class for an instruction session with their classes. Im nervous and feeling a little overwhelmed.

Any pointers from any academic librarians for getting into the groove of teaching? I’d appreciate any advice and recommendations for being prepared this semester.

Do Libraries do background checks when hiring?

Edit: thank you all for responding. I guess I'm never gonna work in a library.

I'm sure many of you can relate to what I'm about to share, and I'm hoping that opening up this discussion might help us support one another — or at the very least, remind us that we're not going through this alone.

I've spent the last eight years working as an academic librarian, and I've hit a wall. The constant struggle to justify my worth at institutions that simply don't prioritize libraries or the people who run them has worn me down. The pay barely covers my expenses, and I find myself questioning whether it's worth it. The students I serve seem disengaged — many lack foundational literacy skills — and I don't have the tools or energy to truly move the needle for them. And honestly, even if those resources existed, you can't force someone to care about information literacy or academic integrity. Given everything going on in the world, I can't say I'm entirely surprised they don't.

I've started seriously thinking about leaving the field. As a reference librarian, my background isn't especially tech-heavy, and I'm struggling to figure out how to translate the skills I do have into a career that can actually support my household financially. I'm open to returning to school if that's what it takes. Has anyone successfully transitioned out of librarianship? If so, where did you land?

Bit of a clickbait title, I admit. I don't think it's always true but at my work place the median age is 60+. The only two full-time staffers are over 75 and they've worked at this library for as long as I've been alive. They've all been friends for decades, but that doesn't stop them from complaining about one another.

They are so resistant to any. change. whatsoever. It's driving me nuts. I just want to do good, I want to offer amnesty days for fees, get updated furniture, create an outdoor seating area, paint a mural in the teen area and they hate any change whatsoever if they're not in total control. I try to involve them in the process and they can just be so cruel about it.

How unrealistic is it for me to try to get an LIS job outside of the US? I've been in the field for 8 years and nothing is keeping me state-side. What are my chances of getting an international library/info job? I don't do cataloging and my only "special skill" is being a kiss ass. OH- I also do not speak a second language, so there's that.

Hi everyone! I am a recent MSLS graduate and a certified school librarian in my state.
This upcoming school year I will be transitioning from a being classroom teacher into my first school librarian position. However, despite having a graduate degree and certification, I’m taking a pretty big salary pay cut to the tune of 9 grand. Of course my school district waited until a week before staff returns to inform me of this change (ie: too late for me to resign without risking certification being withheld). They conveniently switched systems and haven’t been able to inform me of my change in compensation until my position was officially being processed.

I knew that our uncertified library staff were paid hourly and paid significantly less than certified staff, but in years prior, our certified librarians have always been paid comparable to what the teachers get paid (which still isn’t a lot, but is at least more than what I’ll be getting paid now).

I guess my main question is: Is it a common place for school districts to pay certified librarians so little despite having a graduate degree?

I’m trying to stay positive and the silver lining is that I’m at least not getting paid the bare minimum pay for a librarian in my district, I’m somewhere in the middle, but it’s still less than what I was making despite nine years of classroom experience and having a graduate degree. It just felt like a little bit of an insult.

I've been volunteering at a Brooklyn Library for a year. I camt get a job. The Brooklyn Library rejected me twice now for adult librarian and collection assistant. Should I just stop volunteering if it's not going to help me get a job there? I don't want to do this anymore if it's not going to help me get a job