|
|
Rank: Newbie
Groups: Member
Joined: 7/9/2008
Posts: 1
Points: 3
Location: Upstate NY
|
I am a recent MLS graduate. I have my teaching certificate for School Media (K-12). I have done two practica in public schools and an internship in a public library. I have been unsuccessful at finding a job after doing a 2.5 month long term subbing position as an elementary school librarian. The librarian positions are very competitive these days in my area. My husband has a job locally so we are not in a position where we could easily relocate.
If I can not find a position soon I will need to find a part time job doing something (anything) to bring in money to pay bills. I would also like to volunteer at some libraries to gain experience. If I were to go the academic library route, how could I gain experience? Do university libraries accept volunteers who are not students? I would love to gain experience with serials and cataloging, but I do not know if university libraries are receptive to volunteers.
|
|
Rank: Newbie
Groups: Member
Joined: 6/7/2008
Posts: 7
Points: 21
|
Hi, I think you are right that most academic libraries would most likely only use students... I worked at a university library and we had more than enough (work study) students needing/wanting to work at, or help out in, our library. We had no need for volunteers. I did find on a quick Google search that the University of Oregon appears to have a library volunteer program outside of its students, but I think that is an exception to the "rule". I would think you would be more likely to gain your needed experience at a volunteer position in a larger 'research oriented' public library... However, now I will vent: It is interesting to me that two times I've tried to volunteer, to gain medical library experience, I was told by the hospitals that they had more than enough volunteers in the library - turned me down cold. Didn't even want 5 hours of my free time per week, and I even told them I was in school for my MLIS. :-( Good luck! :-)
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Management - Moderator
, Member
Joined: 1/2/2008
Posts: 348
Points: 922
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
|
MarieLib wrote:If I were to go the academic library route, how could I gain experience? Do university libraries accept volunteers who are not students? I would love to gain experience with serials and cataloging, but I do not know if university libraries are receptive to volunteers. It depends on the library. We have used volunteers quite often. Our student budget is always used up at the end of the budget year and we accept practicum students, but there is always work and projects that need attentions. I would contact libraries and ask. It cannot hurt. I have heard that some union environments cannot accept volunteers.
Brian C. Gray Head of Reference & Engineering Librarian Kelvin Smith Library Case Western Reserve University http://blog.case.edu/bcg8bcg8@case.edu
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Management - Moderator
, Member
Joined: 1/2/2008
Posts: 348
Points: 922
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
|
ktb2780 wrote:However, now I will vent: It is interesting to me that two times I've tried to volunteer, to gain medical library experience, I was told by the hospitals that they had more than enough volunteers in the library - turned me down cold. Didn't even want 5 hours of my free time per week, and I even told them I was in school for my MLIS. :-( Good luck! :-) This easily could have to do with the policies of the hospital as it relates to privacy and such. To accept a volunteer, you must have enough work available to justify the time in training and paperwork. 5 hours may not tip the scale far enough to justify bringing you in.
Brian C. Gray Head of Reference & Engineering Librarian Kelvin Smith Library Case Western Reserve University http://blog.case.edu/bcg8bcg8@case.edu
|
|
|
Guest |
