Public library assistant interview

sky_bloo

Hi all,

I have just been invited to an interview for a part-time library assistant temporary job, just wondering if anyone has any tips for me?

It says it will be a 20-30 minute interview with a written alphabetical and nurmeracy test included in this, no idea what these will be. I've printed off the person specification so I can have a brief idea what they might ask me,but I'm just wondering if anyone who works in a library or has had experience of the same type of interview could offer me any insight into it.

I always get a bit stumped in interviews when they ask at the end "any questions?" I can never think of something good to ask so any help here would be amazing! It also has in the essential part of the specification "sound knowledge of the procedural and practical issues relating to library services" I really don't have this and I made this clear in my appliction. Can anyone direct me to some information on this I could maybe read?

Sorry and I know it's asking a lot, I just don't want to mess it up, even just getting an interview has been a nice suprise today.

gravitytolls

Oooh, lucky you, it would be my idea of a dream job.

Anyhoo, no help, but much luck and best wishes to you.

Janey7

Can't help with specific details of "procedural and practical issues relating to library services" from the perspective of employees I'm afraid, but hopefully someone who does will be along here to help soon.

If you can't find the info, it may be useful in your interview to talk about your personal experience of using library services as a service user, and then say what you think some of the key issues would be based on your personal experience. If they've invited you for interview knowing that you don't really have specific knowledge, hopefully they will be happy if you can demonstrate common sense, thoughtfulness, and an ability to learn new processes quickly. All the best!

PlutoinCapricorn

For the "any questions" part, I would ask about whether or not they are in danger of being closed because of funding cuts. I would ask what they are doing to attract and keep large numbers of users so they can show that they are in demand. I would ask how they decide which new books to buy: as a user this often seems random to me!
I would ask about possible trouble with certain users - my local library has tightened up its rules a lot so people who come in just to sleep are no longer in evidence.

boat_girl

I was a library manager before my redundancy in October and the tests we used for a library assistants were very simple, obviously couldn't say you would get the same test but basically you would be given 2 large pile of books and you would be asked to sort one pile, all the fiction into alphabetic order and the non fiction into dewey order. Very simple and shows whether you can do one of the basic library tasks. Good luck with it.

Loft_Boy

For the any other questions part some things you may be able to ask

Why has the position become available? Has someone left, are they taking on extra staff due to demand?

Ask the interviewer what do they find enjoyable about working in the library? May give you an insight into the role and it makes it a 2 way conversation (as an interview should be) as an extension to this you can then ask if there is anything they might not enjoy so much or perhaps ask them what they think are the biggest challenges (slightly nicer way of asking the same question)

What are the next steps of the interview process? Is there a 2nd stage or is it just one interview?

At the end of this ask them if there is anything that you said that they would like you to clarify before the interview has finished?

Good Luck

sky_bloo

Thanks for all the replies they're really helpful, I have a week to prepare so hopefully I will feel confident by the time it comes around! The first thing I wrote on my application was that I did not have the knowledge, but would look forward to learning all the policies and procedures so they definitely know I don't have experience in that regard.

boat_girl wrote: »

I was a library manager before my redundancy in October and the tests we used for a library assistants were very simple, obviously couldn't say you would get the same test but basically you would be given 2 large pile of books and you would be asked to sort one pile, all the fiction into alphabetic order and the non fiction into dewey order. Very simple and shows whether you can do one of the basic library tasks. Good luck with it.

I did think this would be one of the tests, but I re-read the letter and it says it is a written alphabetical and numerical test, so maybe something similar I'm hoping!

boat_girl

Sorry, yes just re read and saw it was a written test.

They could gives you a list of books and get you to organise them on paper maybe

Some written tests we would do would be to create a scenario, difficult customer, moaning about fines or something similar and then explain the steps you would go to deal with it, i.e explain the fine, create installment plan, escalate to an sla, use discretion and waive if appropriate that sort of thing. It would show your thought process, written skills, that sort of thing.

We would also do a till test on occasions, cost of items bought plus a small fine and get you to add to them up on till but that could be changed to a written test easily

PlutoinCapricorn

In your position, I would think about issues that apply to public libraries in general, this branch in particular and this particular job.

Google is your best friend here!

I agree with the poster that your experience of using a library will be useful. The more you think about it, the more questions will come up in your mind: for example, what happens when people don't pay their fines/charges? Are these going up to cover increasing costs?

Are there policies and procedures that are set by individual branches or is it all specified by the local council?

Do let us know what happens.

sky_bloo

Thanks all, I will update once I've had the interview. Most of my library access has been throughout my degree and then briefly starting a masters last year so mainly for research and assignments and not so much for pleasure unfortunately, but it is all good experience I guess.

I've googled the library and it's not a large library it doesn't offer that many services, just basic such as audio books, printing, computer access etc. One thing it does have is family tree research facility and my Grandma is a whizz on that haha so I might have a little trip to see her and she can give me the lowdown on ancestry sites!

I'll try and find the library policies, but all I've been able to find so far is about blocking some internet sites and computer safety. I'll keep looking.