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Permalink Reply by Dr. N K Pachauri on April 18, 2011 at 4:39

Librarian Interview Questions

The following is a list of suggested questions and possible responses to use when interviewing potential Library Media Specialists.  Please visit the Office of Library Services Website for additional information at http://schools.nyc.gov/library.  For further support in the interview process, please contact the Office of Library Services at (212) 374-0328.  

1.      How do your background, education, and work experiences qualify you for the position of Library Media Specialist? 

·         Librarian working with grade 7 and above must have a School Librarian Certification (e.g., Teacher of Library – Elementary, Teacher of Library – Secondary, Library Media Specialist) 

·         Librarian should be comfortable using and integrating technology throughout his/her work with students and teachers

·         Librarian should be capable of differentiating learning for all students

·         Librarian should have an understanding of the library’s role in reading motivation and school-wide programming

·         Librarian should have an understanding of inquiry-based learning and teaching information fluency skills

2.      What is your philosophy of education?  How does your vision of the school library fall within this philosophy? The answers to these questions reflect individual beliefs; nonetheless, their vision for the school library should incorporate the following ideas:

·         The school library fosters a community of learning, literacy, and inquiry that leads to high academic achievement

·         The school library is an integral part of the school and serves as a hub for learning and student success

·         The school library has an important role in fostering independent reading

3.      How would you integrate technology and information literacy skills into your work with      students and teachers?

·         Librarian should be comfortable using technology on a consistent basis 

·         Librarian teaches technology and information literacy skills from the Information Fluency Continuum (IFC) 

·         Librarian understands the inquiry process and how to infuse information literacy skills in collaboration with teachers across the curriculum  

·         Librarian expresses knowledge of a particular research methodology (e.g., Independent Investigation Method, Big 6)

·         Librarian should stay up-to-date on the latest technologies and their use for teaching and learning

·         Librarian should provide access to online databases and electronic resources

·         Librarian should ensure the library is integrated into the school’s technology plan

·         Librarian should communicate to students and faculty the ethical and safe use of technology

·         Librarian should offer professional development to teachers on the use of technology and electronic resources for content-area learning

4.  How do you connect what you do in the library with the classroom curriculum?

·         Librarian should collaborate with classroom teachers to design inquiry based units that integrate the teaching and application of information fluency skills

·         Librarian should collaborate with classroom teachers to co-teach whenever possible 

5.      What do you see as the role of the librarian in the school setting and what do you hope to bring to the library?

·         Librarian should be an instructional leader in the school

·         Librarian should provide professional development for teachers 

·         Librarian should communicate regularly with staff, students, and parents about library resources and programs in various forms (e.g., print and electronic newsletters, displays, Web page)

·         Librarians should assist the school in integrating the library program into the Comprehensive Educational Plan (CEP)

6.  What kind of library attracts students, staff and parents?

·         Library should be a central hub for student achievement and independent learning 

·         Library should be a bright, warm and inviting space that welcomes students, staff and parents

·         Library should be a well-maintained space that incorporates comfortable reading areas, an instructional area (for whole groups, small groups and individuals), clear signage, creative displays and technology 

7.  What is library automation?  How do you use and maintain a library automation system?

·         Automation is a software package used to assist building level librarians with the management of the library catalog (OPAC-Online Public Access Catalog), circulation, material and patron activity, as well as the production of a variety of reports and statistics

·         There are many automation programs, some of which are Web-based and others of which are only accessible at the library

·         Librarian should have a basic understanding of the automation process, maintenance of a library automation program, importation and deletion of material records, preserving the integrity of catalog records, the regular back up of data, the use of the system to monitor and prepare reports of library circulation and usage

8.  How would you promote reading?

·         Librarian should provide a wide variety of programming (e.g., author visits, author chats, displays, book talks, summer reading) to  promote reading throughout the school

·         Librarian should use technology to promote reading (e.g., Web-based catalog, author Websites, wikis, blogs)

·         Librarian should collaborate with public library for book talks and community outreach activities

9.      How do you develop and maintain a library collection that will meet the needs of our students, parents, and staff?

·         Librarian should survey the needs and interests of students, teachers and parents in the school 

·         Librarian should use professional review sources (e.g., School Library Journal, Booklist, Horn Book) and collection development/selection tools (e.g., Titlewave) to develop material orders

·         Librarian should regularly read a wide variety of material for school-aged children and young adults

·         Librarian should provide materials in a variety of formats including print, e-books, software, electronic databases, audio/visual, etc.

·         Librarian should continually discard (weed) old, damaged, and out-dated materials to maintain a collection that meets the needs and interests of students, teachers, staff and the curriculum

10.  What type of schedule would you set up for library classes?

·         Librarian should be able to schedule the library space for maximum and most effective use of the space using a flexible schedule and open access

·         A public version of the library’s master schedule should be clearly posted

·         Librarian should schedule classes as a result of planned library use and instruction in order to integrate with classroom learning experiences  

·         The library schedule should provide access to resources, opportunities for independent and group learning, and instruction in information fluency skills 

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Permalink Reply by Dr. N K Pachauri on April 18, 2011 at 4:44

Most libraries today are very team-oriented.  You must convince them that you are a good team player and get along well with others.  Most likely they are looking for a good "fit" for their team.  

They may ask why you chose library science as a career or what drew you to the profession.  They may also ask about your favorite course in library school.  This is where you will talk about your expertise and your passion for library work, and what in particular you can bring to their team.  Give concrete examples of things you have done or plan to do as a librarian.  Search committees frown upon vague, very general, or long-winded responses to their questions.      

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Permalink Reply by Subhash S. Mayangade on March 18, 2014 at 0:34

Dear Pauchori sir,

here is not showed full answers/hints.

kindly send me these  questions and answers/hints send me on my email id

subhashmayangade@gmail.com

Thanks & Regards,

subhash.

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Permalink Reply by Dr. N K Pachauri on April 18, 2011 at 5:02

http://www.job-interview-site.com/Job-Interviewing-tips/

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Permalink Reply by Tara on April 18, 2011 at 5:04

thank u sir

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Permalink Reply by S S Kushwaha on April 19, 2011 at 2:06

that is a positive discution

 

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Permalink Reply by Sarvesh Kumar Yadav on July 10, 2011 at 6:45

Its depend upon the Post. You tell about post then I reply.

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