What is the best way to get a job at a public library?

Question

I'm an English Literature major. It has always been my dream to work at a public library, and I've learned that it's often hard to get what you want in life. What's the best way for me to win out over the competition?

Answer 1

Libraries hire staff at all levels, so it depends on what you want to do at the library?  Shelve books?  Staff the reference desk?  The first step is to check the web site of the library to see their careers page, and become familiar with the jobs they have available and the requirements for each.  Once you see a job for which you are qualified, then apply.  However, without an advanced degree in library science, you won't really be able to get very far up the ladder. If it is truly your dream to work in a library as a career, you may want to look into such a degree.

Answer 2

The biggest obstacle in public library hiring may be your city residency.  

Many libraries - for some reason - only hire employees if they live their town or city. If you live just outside it, you're automatically turned down regardless if you have the best qualifications than other candidates.

Your best bet is to apply in the public library in the town/city where you live to see if you can land a job there before trying those out-of-town and have the strong possibility of getting disappointed.  You should also consider applying for jobs at a college or university library... not certain if they have the strict residency requirements a public library would have, but they should be fairly looser.

A few years ago, I tried to apply for a job in a public library for shelving books (no experience necessary), but got denied at the door because I lived outside city lines (I live in a town bordering the city).

Good luck!