Friday, August 31, 2018

Questions Interviewers Need To Ask Applicants When Library Staffing LA's Public Facilities

By Kathleen Fox


Americans are not reading as much as they used to. The percentage has come down significantly over the last four years. Those who do read often use electronic devices instead of buying or borrowing books. Half of Americans can't even read at the eighth grade level. If libraries are going to remain relevant, the staff must have forward thinking ideas and be open to new ways of doing things. Interview questions asked when library staffing LA institutions should reflect this.

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.

You might ask a job applicant for a specific instance when he or she had to handle a difficult patron. The answer will give you a good sense of the applicant's ability to remain composed under pressure. You can also assess the skill level the applicant has reached when it comes to problem solving.

In order to assess the candidate's qualifications, you might ask a question regarding assisting college students with research projects. You will be looking for specific knowledge about relevant works available in this facility and how willing the applicant is to teach college students how to request literature from libraries within the system. You want an applicant who understands the difference between assistance and doing the work for the student.

You can ask the job applicant about the best approach to create an atmosphere within the center that is conducive to learning regardless of the age, gender, or status of the client. A good answer is to set up stations in the library with comfortable chairs, good lighting, and potted plants. The library should be immaculate and free of clutter. Whenever possible hours of operation should reflect an acknowledgement of the needs of working clients.

An important question to ask in today's media savvy culture is the place of social media in a public institution. You are looking for someone who has experience with different social media platforms and marketing. You also need an individual who understands the importance of targeting a specific audience.

It is no longer sufficient for libraries to act only as repositories for books and tapes that are there for their clients, in good standing, to borrow. It must be interactive and forward looking. To achieve that the staff in place must understand that distinction.




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