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.
An important question to ask is how the individual feels today's libraries should impact the community. You will be looking for someone who wants to make the community stronger, make connections with members of the community, and understands the power a public institution can have within the community. A good candidate will be enthusiastic about reading and writing literacy programs, job fairs, and free computer literacy classes.
You should be ask questions about the applicant's attitude toward customer service. Public libraries have many patrons, and not all of them are easy to handle. You need employees with the right kind of temperament, who are adaptable, and willing to go out of their way to assist patrons. This includes assistance with research projects and explaining the ins and out of categorization.
If you get a general answer on the customer service question, you might ask the job applicant for a specific example of a time a difficult client presented a challenge for them. This will tell you a lot about their ability to remain composed in difficult situations and about their level of problem solving skills.
A question involving assisting college students with their research will tell you a lot about the applicant's qualifications. Here you want to see someone with knowledge about what information is available in this particular center and how a student can request other books within the library system. It is important for the staffer to be organized and resourceful. The librarian's responsibility is to point out the resources available, not do the work for the student.
You might ask a candidate how the facility could be improved to create an atmosphere more conducive to learning without regard to gender, age, or status of the patrons. A good answer should include setting up stations with good lighting, comfortable chairs, and attractive accessories. These stations should be free of clutter and immaculately maintained. Hours of operation need to reflect the needs of patrons who work for a living.
With the importance of technology in today's society a critical question should concern the place social media has in the life of modern libraries. You need someone who acknowledges the importance of a positive social media presence and has had experience with the different platforms. This individual must know how to effectively target the library's audience.
Libraries today have to be more than repositories for tapes and books that card holding patrons can borrow. Libraries have to be forward looking and interactive. This requires an enthusiastic staff that understands the distinction.
An important question to ask is how the individual feels today's libraries should impact the community. You will be looking for someone who wants to make the community stronger, make connections with members of the community, and understands the power a public institution can have within the community. A good candidate will be enthusiastic about reading and writing literacy programs, job fairs, and free computer literacy classes.
You should be ask questions about the applicant's attitude toward customer service. Public libraries have many patrons, and not all of them are easy to handle. You need employees with the right kind of temperament, who are adaptable, and willing to go out of their way to assist patrons. This includes assistance with research projects and explaining the ins and out of categorization.
If you get a general answer on the customer service question, you might ask the job applicant for a specific example of a time a difficult client presented a challenge for them. This will tell you a lot about their ability to remain composed in difficult situations and about their level of problem solving skills.
A question involving assisting college students with their research will tell you a lot about the applicant's qualifications. Here you want to see someone with knowledge about what information is available in this particular center and how a student can request other books within the library system. It is important for the staffer to be organized and resourceful. The librarian's responsibility is to point out the resources available, not do the work for the student.
You might ask a candidate how the facility could be improved to create an atmosphere more conducive to learning without regard to gender, age, or status of the patrons. A good answer should include setting up stations with good lighting, comfortable chairs, and attractive accessories. These stations should be free of clutter and immaculately maintained. Hours of operation need to reflect the needs of patrons who work for a living.
With the importance of technology in today's society a critical question should concern the place social media has in the life of modern libraries. You need someone who acknowledges the importance of a positive social media presence and has had experience with the different platforms. This individual must know how to effectively target the library's audience.
Libraries today have to be more than repositories for tapes and books that card holding patrons can borrow. Libraries have to be forward looking and interactive. This requires an enthusiastic staff that understands the distinction.
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