I've worked in libraries of one sort or another most of my adult life. It's a great place for someone who loves books.
What your job title is, and what that means My job title is Library Aide II. That means I can do more skilled clerical work than a Library Aide I, but I don't have to supervise people, which is what an Aide III does. It also means I don't have a masters degree in Library Science, or I would be a librarian
A description of a typical day I work in Acquisitions, which means we order the new books for the Library. I go to my work station - I don't have my own office, or even a cube, and start my computer. I look at e-mail, then usual I cancel orders that we've received notice that we can't get. Then I might order books, or search on websites for out of print books to replace old ones that have worn out. I also decide where we are going to buy books, but I don't get to decide which titles we buy. And I sometimes receive books, which is opening the boxes and checking the invoices and paying the invoices.
What you need in the way of training/education/experience to do this job Actually, you need a high school diploma, and you need to pass a civil service test. But a lot of the people I work with have college degrees, but not in practical stuff. I'm a writer. I know people who are writers, editors, musicians, artists, and also people with degrees in philosophy and ancient history.
You learn on the job - it varies from department to department, as well as library to library.
Why you like it and (if you dare) I get to know what books the library is going to get right away. I get to see the new books as they come in. I read book reviews as part of my job.
Why you dislike it It's boring at times, and it doesn't pay all that well. Also, I sometimes think I could be doing more with my abilities and talents.
What sorts of things can go wrong at your job? Occasionally, the books fall off the truck, or something like that. Generally, the worst occupational hazard is paper cuts. Sometimes, we get the wrong book, or too many books, and have to send them back.
What kind of person thrives in your job You have to like books, and you need to like people well enough to get along with the other people. If you work in a more public setting, like checking books out to people, you have to like dealing with the public. I decided I didn't, which is why I'm in acquisitions now.
Anything else you can think of that would give her an idea of what it might be like to choose your career? Spend a whole day at a library. Ask if it's okay to watch what the people who work there are doing. They may even let you help.
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my job
Date: 2003-04-23 08:59 pm (UTC)What your job title is, and what that means
My job title is Library Aide II. That means I can do more skilled clerical work than a Library Aide I, but I don't have to supervise people, which is what an Aide III does. It also means I don't have a masters degree in Library Science, or I would be a librarian
A description of a typical day
I work in Acquisitions, which means we order the new books for the Library. I go to my work station - I don't have my own office, or even a cube, and start my computer. I look at e-mail, then usual I cancel orders that we've received notice that we can't get. Then I might order books, or search on websites for out of print books to replace old ones that have worn out. I also decide where we are going to buy books, but I don't get to decide which titles we buy. And I sometimes receive books, which is opening the boxes and checking the invoices and paying the invoices.
What you need in the way of training/education/experience to do this job
Actually, you need a high school diploma, and you need to pass a civil service test. But a lot of the people I work with have college degrees, but not in practical stuff. I'm a writer. I know people who are writers, editors, musicians, artists, and also people with degrees in philosophy and ancient history.
You learn on the job - it varies from department to department, as well as library to library.
Why you like it and (if you dare)
I get to know what books the library is going to get right away. I get to see the new books as they come in. I read book reviews as part of my job.
Why you dislike it
It's boring at times, and it doesn't pay all that well. Also, I sometimes think I could be doing more with my abilities and talents.
What sorts of things can go wrong at your job?
Occasionally, the books fall off the truck, or something like that. Generally, the worst occupational hazard is paper cuts.
Sometimes, we get the wrong book, or too many books, and have to send them back.
What kind of person thrives in your job
You have to like books, and you need to like people well enough to get along with the other people. If you work in a more public setting, like checking books out to people, you have to like dealing with the public. I decided I didn't, which is why I'm in acquisitions now.
Anything else you can think of that would give her an idea of what it might be like to choose your career?
Spend a whole day at a library. Ask if it's okay to watch what the people who work there are doing. They may even let you help.