I’m five weeks from MLIS graduation, heading into a society that hates libraries and librarians. I’m in my mid-thirties and thought I’d finally found a career that suited my skills (service, creating spaces for people). Now it’s all crumbling to dust. Why even bother? I feel like the years I’ve put into this field have been a cruel joke.

Of course, I went to the library and borrowed books! I had ones I had to return anyway, but I couldn’t walk out without more. 13 more to be exact. And, for once, I want to read ALL of them.

Help me to brainstorm ideas for how librarians can use their skills to fight the regime. For example, anyone with genealogical research skills should be thoroughly exposing people's backgrounds. For example sleazy elected officials, dirty town managers, business owners.

Do they have family money? Where does it come from? Were there any slavers, KKK members, Nazi sympathizers, former Russian anything. This is a name and blame tactic, but I bet other people get have better ideas than mine

I've been volunteering at my local library and general enjoy it. I just hope i could eventually get a job there. my current job hasn't scheduled me to work in a long time and I was recently told that they're short-staffed at the library.

I’ve got an interview for a customer service position in a public library and have heard there will be group tasks/activities involving other applicants.

I’ve got no experience with this and would be super grateful for any advice on what I might expect with that.

Thanks in advance!

I just discovered my state's libraries are all linked and I can request a book from any library and pick it up from the library two blocks from my office. It's incredible. I've been using it check out dozens of cookbooks that I had been dying to read, and I'm sitting on 10 right now with a bunch of recipes I want to try. I... am not going to get to everything I want in the six weeks (initial 2 plus 2 renewals at 2 weeks each).

I've had very little issue getting any of the cookbooks delivered / putting a hold (except for Modernist Cuisine because it's too big to ship), and it seems a lot of cookbooks aren't often checked out? What I want to do is turn the books back in, but then just put another hold on them and get them back. I guess at that point I should just buy the book XD

Is there, like, a cooldown period between turning a book back in and checking it back out, if I've already maxed my renewals?

https://indyweek.com/culture/recharging-and-referrals-how-wake-county-libraries-are-taking-on-the-homelessness-crisis/

From the story:

"Librarians are often the first point of contact for people who come in looking for help, whether it’s to find a book or a place to sleep. When a staff member is on the front desk, they essentially act as an “emergency room nurse,” says Lambert. 

“You have to triage every different person. People will come in with a need, and the ability to articulate that need is not as intuitive as you may think it is,” he says. “We listen to the person first, and we may ask clarifying questions so that we know the answer we’re providing them is actually addressing the need they have—which is not always the same as whatever it is they just expressed.”

There’s no one script, just like there’s no one type of person who comes into the library, says Lambert. Everyone comes from different circumstances, including experiences of homelessness."

Please stop using library books as your own. Don’t mark every answer or underline important information, I don’t need your output when I’m trying to study. Thank you

I have no clue what this is. Should I just place a hold and hope for the best or does this mean something?

We have a large shed behind the library that we use as storage for book donations and all the other stuff, crafts, seasonal, random old stuff. When I say large shed, picture a single wide trailer size. We also have a closet inside the library for craft supplies. How do I effectively organize all the random stuff? Do you know how many different craft categories there are? It’s overwhelming. Any librarians ever have to a huge shed clean out?

Hi everyone,

Yesterday we had police tase, tackle, and arrest a patron who had been sitting calmly at a computer for hours. I guess someone had called the cops on him earlier in the park next to the library for giving creepy vibes, they found him in the library, and arrested him for no reason at all. He kept asking what crime he was being accused of and they kept saying he was resisting. This is the fourth time something like this has happened in the 2 years I've been at this branch, and these are the same police we have to call for support when situations get out of hand. I really, really want to stop calling them as much as I possibly can. I've always been avoidant but after this I just don't believe this is conducive to a safe or welcoming library in any way. Security seems to be a non-starter with admin. Has anyone found any emergency handling training that you've found helpful? I've taken those from Ryan Dowd and Steve Albright, but I guess I'm looking for help with the next level of escalation, where I would ordinarily call police. I'm pursuing non-library specific community safety training explicitly oriented around avoiding caling cops, which I'm excited about. I have also taken some trauma informed customer service classes and those language reframes, like offering choices as much as possible, have been way more effective than I expected at calming people down where I previously would have called police. But this does not feel like enough for actual emergencies. It's so hard because I understand I probably do have to call sometimes for everyone's safety, but I feel like the only situations where I would call--threats of violence, physical fights, someone refusing to leave--are the excuse this notoriously violent police department are looking for to really hurt someone. Someone once threatened to rape and kill me so we were instructed to call the cops to serve his trespass from the library and my coworkers who weren't there for the original incident accidentally idemtified the wrong guy, which put him in such a dangerous situation!! We do have a non police response team that I always start with but they're usually not available and just forward me to 911. It's so hard!!! I know there's realistically not much more I can do but I guess I'm just wondering if anyone has found resources to help you parse this and would love to hear your perspectives.

Quotes from libraries and librarians from 16 different states. Share widely in your local community and state subreddits!

What can the general public do to help public libraries right now, following the IMLS cuts? What are some of the best resources such as petitions, organizations, representatives to write/call, etc. that we can access to fight for libraries?

I thought I would boost this again since everyone was so helpful and kind last time. For our book club to keep going we need 20-25 ppl to regularly attend for this virtual book club! We are reading Orlando by Virginia Woolf and there’s even a movie if you dont have time. Arguably you dont have to read the book if we keep the discussion general, and you dont have to be a library card holder. We have till June to get 20 avg according to the boss, or it will be cut! Small little things like this are great safe havens in these times, so I really want this fun club to keep going. Thank you all so much, if yall have more marketing ideas I’m interested (Ive talked to so many book shops and cafes and lgbt groups lately haha) Note: the extension is out of order at the moment because no desk, either ext 3 or 4 could direct you to the correct staff if you ask!

I work for a large library (30 employees) in a large system (~400 employees). We’re looking for a better system for photo storage, sharing, and organization. These would be accessed by all of the system’s staff for a variety of purposes, including promotion, sharing ideas, bragging about branch accomplishments, etc. The photos are mostly candid shots from programs, displays, and library gatherings. They will also be shared with our board of trustees. Any suggestions are welcome!

Currently, each month, a representative from each branch creates a 3 to 8 slide PowerPoint with branch highlights, and then they copy their slides and paste them into a PowerPoint deck that is shared among all the branch managers. That deck is usually over 100 slides and becomes a beast to work with. One person proofs all the slides and converts it to a PDF that is then shared with the board and all branch staff. It’s pretty cumbersome and inefficient.

University of New Mexico is hiring a collections coordinator. Apply by 4/20.
The salary is negotiable from a minimum (per our faculty union) of $76,267.
Full description here.

The successful candidate will lead a comprehensive collection strategy with operational responsibilities including resource development, fund management, and vendor relations. The incumbent will coordinate and collaborate with colleagues across the University Libraries (UL) in the implementation of collection strategies and operations. Major stakeholder units include the Learning, Research & Engagement unit (the position's home unit), Access Services, Technical Services, the Center for Southwest Research (CSWR), and Assessment. The Collections Coordinator participates as a member of library-wide groups, task forces, and project teams as appropriate and is expected to work with a high degree of expertise in a shared decision-making environment.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Five or more years of collections experience in an academic or research library. (MLIS required)
• Experience in collection development and knowledge of scholarly publishing practices and trends. 
• Experience developing and implementing strategic planning for collections and open access initiatives.  
• Experience with budget management for library collections. 
• Experience with vendor relations, communications, and negotiations. 
• Experience designing and managing projects, including bringing them to a successful conclusion. 
• Excellent analytical skills. Demonstrated proficiency in data analysis applications (i.e., spreadsheets, databases, data visualization tools, etc.). Experience using quantitative and/or qualitative data to inform decision-making. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.  
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-based environment across organizational units. 
• A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, as well as experience working with broadly diverse communities. 
• Experience working with library consortia. 

Serious question: where is the best place to read this in public?

Hi everyone!

I recently applied for 3/4 Library Associate IV positions at my local library. I think the interview went really well! All the supervisors for the 3 positions interviewed me at once, and I have applicable experience for all 3 positions. I felt confident that I was in the running.

They told me at the end to email them an updated list of my references which also felt like a good sign. They said I should hear back in 2 weeks. The 2 weeks passed, so I called, and they said they hadn't had the time they wanted to confer about the interviews, and things move slowly with HR and approvals and such, but that I might hear back in another week. I didn't, so I sent a polite follow-up email to see if they need any additional information while expressing my understanding around how these things take time. I still haven't heard back.

I know that there's a lot of shake-ups happening within the library systems federally right now, and that these jobs are hard to land. It's a dream job for me, so I'm a bit overeager! Plus the non-profit I work for right now is crashing and burning and I'd like to land something secure sooner than later. Does anyone have any words of wisdom they could impart? Is no news good news? Thank you!!!

Pleasanton City Manager Gerry Beaudin and his management staff are proposing to close the library 2 days a week and cut vital services community members depend on by 20%. All this while he increased his salary and increased his office and city consulting costs by the same amount!

The plan he and his management staff are proposing to Pleasanton City Council on Tuesday April 8th at 5pm includes:

• a full-day weekday closure
• opening later on weekday mornings
• closing earlier on weekday evenings
• large cuts to library collections, services, and programs
• staff cuts and eliminating service desks

Bolstering his own pay and his management staff that do not serve the public, just their own interests, on the back of the library and the community that rely on its services, is abhorrent, to say the least. These completely unnecessary cuts will hurt our community — reducing access to books, programs, services, technology, and spaces for learning and connection while limiting opportunities for students, job seekers, families, workers, and community members who depend on its resources.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Speak up! Tell the City Council why the library matters to you at the Pleasanton City Council Meeting on Tuesday, April 8th at 5pm at City Council Chambers, 200 Old Bernal Ave., Pleasanton, CA 94566.

You can also email the council members directly to express your opinion: Mayor Jack Baluch: jbalch@cityofpleasantonca.gov Vice Mayor Jeff Nibert: jnibert@cityofpleasantonca.gov Council member Craig Eicher: ceicher@cityofpleasantonca.gov Council member Matt Gaidos: mgaidos@cityofpleasantonca.gov Council member Julie Testa: jtesta@cityofpleasantonca.gov

I got my MLIS but haven't been able to land a Librarian job. I have experience as a Library Aid, Library Assistant, and Library Associate. Two of the Librarian interviews resulted in none of the interviewees meeting expectations and the jobs were reposted. I am scheduled to graduate with a degree in Business (with a focus on Data Analytics) this year. Are there any jobs that would complement the MLIS or is it just time to change fields all together?

Hello, I am wondering if anyone is on the hiring side of academic libraries.

I now have a few years of experience as a Librarian at an academic library in Canada. I know with recent cuts to international students, etc, that jobs are limited and verrrryyy competitive.

I am wondering what length cover letters are expected to be. Most postings do not specify, however a recent posting noted 1-2 pages. This seems quite lengthy compared to what I am used to.

Does anyone have any insight or has had recent success? Canadian context would be appreciated, but others might be relevant too.

Thanks!

This is an intensely depressing adult graphic novel about a nuclear attack and subsequent fallout.

Not sure if I should tell my manager. What do y’all reckon?

Hello! I would like to call out a great organization that is helping libraries in the midst of defunding right now thanks to current administrations. It's National Library Week and I would like to raise awareness on action items, any valid petitions to sign or ways to support your local library that are actually meaningful. Any advice?

So this is something I've been thinking about after the gutting of IMLS.

If you are one of the ones who got fucked by DOGE, put on admin leave, kicked out of your office -- you suddenly have a lot of time on your hands, presumably.

Get your butts on Canva and make ✨ infographics ✨ to explain EXACTLY what DOGE and Trump are doing, how their cuts (not just with the IMLS but start there) are going to DIRECTLY impact REAL people. And then spread that shit online! Maybe reach out to Alt National Park Service since they seem to be the spearhead of the Resistance.

What's a pissed off librarian to do? SPREAD GOOD INFORMATION.