At the library... official MoneySavingExpert.com discussion

bodgerella

The situation regarding public library jobs is this.
Most jobs are full time= 35-40 hour week. There are part time or job share posts but these are few and far between. The people who work on the counter are predominently library assistants pay between 8,000 to14,000 per year. There are also Library supervisors/managers who have worked their way up from library assiatant over several years and their pay can rise up to 21,000 plus depending on the size of the library but a small branch library supervisor normally earns about 14-17,000 tops. Expected to work 5 days per week inc evenings and weekends.There is no extra shift pay. Librarians are different-they are specialist officers who tend to work mostly behind the scenes and have a management and professional function, normally qualified to postgraduate level, some of these people are also chartered so it can take many years to achieve full qualifications. Earnings start at about 15,000 rising upwards. The main problem with all of these jobs is like all Council jobs is people tend to stay in them for reasons of security and pensions etc. Getting one of these jobs, or indeed a promotion once in, is difficult and when you go to the library you will see that the average age of the staff is normally over 35 up to 60 as no one is moving. Add to this the "nice" job image (Martin..?) that libraries have means masses of applicants for every job. I recently shortlisted from 130 applicants for a 4 hour sunday assistant vacancy. Another factor is that most Councils have a redeployment policy so new vacacncies can often be filled by internal staff. Gaps caused by holiday periods and shifts are filled by casual staff and this nowadays is the only way in to a library job. So good luck finding that library job-they're like gold dust. You may need to wait 10 years until some library workers start retiring!
Den

bodgerella

PS
I do like working there though!!
Den

chap48lin

pink_poodle_queen wrote: »

What I find sadly amusing is the number of librarians who use this website! Clearly it reflects the poor wages we receive - well below the UK average - yet we have to deal with some pretty unpleasant situations day-in-day-out, particularly those in public libraries. Fortunately I got out of public libraries early on in my career, did my degree, and got into academic libraries; the wages are still well below average, but at least we don't have to put up with the same hassles as those of our colleagues in the public service! I can't remember when I last went into a public library, but I do remember it certainly wasn't quiet, peaceful, not conducive to study/work. That is NO reflection on the staff, but is a reflection on those misusing the valuable service offered.

As another poor librarian, I can only endorse what my colleagues say about the work. General public opinion is that librarian's pay is on a par with teachers. In my ac. library we are paid same as an admin person with just a-levels, and well below rec. basic salary for the profession. "Is it 'cos I'se in a mainly female profession?"

aloiseb

On the library course I attended recently, about 20% of the other people on it were ex-teachers, several of whom were hoping to qualify for a less stressful job. So maybe this is where Martin is coming from? Libraries are less stressful workplaces than secondary schools! That's hardly news.

In the library where I now work, nobody gets thumped or shouted out (much)- bored to death occasionally, if they stand still beside one of the more garrulous elderly people who come in for someone to talk to, but that's the biggest hazard. Stress levels are considerably smaller than dealing with my stroppy kids at home after school.....

But no, it's not a quiet workplace - especially during Baby Rhyme Time.

pennyfrog

When I did work experience at school it was in a library. I went on to work on Saturdays while I did A Levels at school- then was offered holiday work during my breaks from uni. I even met my hubby while he was on a work course there and I was on summer break. Much as I loved it- I have to agree that it was in no way the cliche tippy-toe round the bookshelf place that some seem to think. I remember joys such as a colleague getting a pile of books thrown at her by a drunk, the temper tantrums of people disputing fines- the attitude of local yobs and so on.
And this was back in the 80's!!! Those 'quiet please' libraries probably haven't existed since about the 1930's!

SpendCurber

I started a part time library job a few months ago. I have a full time job and work at the library a couple nights a week. Its a university library and is very quiet (esp in comparison to bar work which I've done previously...finishing a busy, loud shift at 1am after a full days work was hell!), there are plenty of extra shifts to pick up on eves and Sat and I spend most of my time on here finding other ways to make money :money:.

I'm only issuing books and so didnt require library experience....its been a life saver and i'd def recommend it.

vaguelyconfused

I recently graduated and therefore left my relief pool library assistant job which I worked 3 days a week alongside my studies.

I'd agree that it's anything but peaceful, but it is a fantasticly energising experience working with a diverse set of people.

However, particularly in this economic climate, finding an available post in the library is nearly impossible. The last post advertised before I departed had in excess of 100 applicants who were willing to relocate from hundreds of miles away for only part time work. Alongside this the local authority is looking to close libraries and sustain the ones left open with at least some voluntary workers whilst RFID machines will do much of the issuing/returns.

I think perhaps the list of opportunities to earn extra income needs a little updating in this regard?

Joleen1009

I'm a library assistant in a public library, and I had to work really hard to get this job. There is no one who works here who has just got the job as a little casual part time peaceful thing at all.

I find it very bizarre that this has been included as well, but to be honest, it sums up the public on a whole's opinion of what it's like to work in a library. We are always getting school leavers asking for part time jobs, but they just wouldn't get a look in, as there are about 12 other more experienced people who will all be fighting for the same job too.

Plus there are a lot of cuts coming, so even experienced staff who see it as a job they are actually interested in and not something on the side are going to struggle to find the work in libraries.

I'd recommend going to work in a bookies if you are after this type of work. They generally need more staff in summer, and at weekends, to cover increased opening hours and business. The rate of staff turnover is high so they are always recruiting.

isaminx

Agree with mushypeas. Yesterday at the "peaceful" library: Grizzling and crying toddlers, mobiles ringing, people having loud discussions, playing computer games with the sound on. Bring back the silence, please. Library used to be peaceful~but no longer.

edinburgher

I'm also a qualified librarian and was very glad to have only had a brief stint in public libraries - obnoxious customers refusing to pay fines accrued on fines for books they took to Sardinia for a month and then forgot about, the folk looking at !!!!!! in a public environment and one strange chap who used to come in just to mess up the order of books. Now, like all librarians, I'm precious when it comes to keeping things arranged, but come on - what sort of twerp visits somewhere just to be a pain in the !!!?

I quickly left for a membership library, which was a bit nicer (although people really expect a lot for their fees!), had several posts with them and am now working in Records Management for the civil service (after a brief stint being an 'elibrarian').

I'd like to get back into working in a library environment, but would like to add my voice to the litany of people pointing out how poorly researched this suggestion is.

There are no jobs in this field, even for those of us with professional experience and qualifications. I recently applied for an evening job in a local university library (trying to save up for my wedding) and faced a grilling by a four person panel for a zero hour casual shelving contract. Glad to say I didn't get it, but the competition for even the lowest paid jobs is *ridiculous*.

Also, if you have a uni that teaches library studies within about 50 miles, add at least 50 applicants onto the shortlist for each post. Took me 30 applications just to get an interview after graduating...

Still, relatively few complaints, as it's a profession that put a roof over my head for several years and allowed me to meet my wonderful fiancee.