All Jobs for INALJ can be found here: http://inalj.com/?p=1441 Updated daily
Naomi House’s interview with success story Hava.
Naomi: How did you find your current job?
Hava: Well, I currently work at the Twin Falls Public Library as the Circulation Manager; I was originally hired as a Circulation Clerk but then was promoted almost three years ago to Circulation Manager. I love my job and love where I work at, but back in July, I saw a posting for Library Director for the American Falls District Library, and decided to go for it. I have been hired and start in American Falls on January 2, 2013.
Naomi: Favorite library you have been to?
Hava: I’ve only been to a few libraries, the biggest of which was the Phoenix Public Library, but I have to say, I still love my Twin Falls Public Library the most. It’s a gorgeous building with these huge windows and lovely pillars…It’s a wonderful place. I will miss it when I move to American Falls, but the chance to spread my wings and really grow in the library profession just can’t be missed.
Naomi: Favorite book?
Hava: Oh gosh! I have such a hard time with that question, because it usually depends on which book I just finished. I recently finished “The Big Flatline” (it’s about peak oil and how the lack of cheap oil going forward is going to be hard on our economy) – I really enjoyed that one. It was very well-written and easy to understand. I also recently finished “The Hot Zone,” about viruses and how they spread around the world – it’s not a book for the weak stomached, because it gets really graphic in parts, but it was sure an eye-opening book for me. I love non-fiction. 🙂 I would have to say that one of my ultimate favorite non-fiction book, however, is “Unbroken” – that story was amazing. If you haven’t read it yet, you must read it soon!!
Naomi: Favorite thing about libraries/ library technology?
Hava: My favorite thing about libraries is the treasure trove of information in it. I am an information geek. I read almost exclusively non-fiction because I just love to learn, and there are so many things to learn in this world, I will never be bored. If I want to learn about a new topic (like, say, how to raise crops in winter using hoop houses and cold frames) I go to the library, do a search to find the applicable Dewey Decimal number, go to that shelf, and just start browsing. I’ll come home with 15 books on a topic, and then delve right in. I couldn’t afford to do that at B&N or Amazon.
Naomi: Any websites or feeds or blogs we should be following?
Hava: I have a whole slew of websites that I follow; if you’re interested in getting a library job, however, then you can’t go wrong with http://hiringlibrarians.com. From reading the posts every day on that site, I found out how long my cover letter should be, how long my resume should be, what my interview outfit should look like…everything. I think of INAJ as the place to find the library postings, and HiringLibrarians as the place to find out how to get one of those jobs posted. 🙂 They are both indispensable to a librarian on the job hunt.
Naomi: Best piece of job hunting advice?
Hava: Don’t be afraid to go after a job. The worst they can do is not hire you. I do not have a Master’s in Library Science (yet!) and so to many people, the fact that I was just hired as a library director is an anathema to them. There is a big divide in the library world over whether or not an MLS should be required for every higher position in the library hierarchy, and I happen to belong to the group that thinks an MLS is important, but that experience, drive, and a can-do spirit is just as important, if not more so. Anyway, if the job posting doesn’t specifically disallow you based on education credentials, then go for it! I beat out several people with MLSs for this position that I’m starting in January, so I know it can be done. 🙂 Good luck!!
I have been working at the Twin Falls Public Library in Twin Falls, Idaho for over five years now, and have really loved it. I am also going to school part-time (I am currently working on my bachelor’s degree) and someday will be able to claim that all-important master’s degree. Because I’m going to school part-time though, it’ll be a while! I have been an avid reader since elementary school, and I should have known that I would become a librarian someday, but to be honest, I sort of stumbled into the profession. Once I discovered the library world, though, there was no going back!