If there is one thing that can be said about most librarians and library professionals, it is that we are passionate– passionate about libraries, what they do, who they serve, and how they support others. And if there is one phrase I hear more than any other when interviewing candidates for library leadership positions, it is: I have a passion for libraries.
Passion for our work is important, and hiring authorities are definitely looking for people who have passion for their work and for libraries. But how could we describe that passion in a way that helps us stand out in an applicant pool that is chock full of librarians that are passionate about libraries?
Serving our constituents as broadly as possible is quite often the focus of our work in libraries. But in an interview setting, being broad and general about your love and passion for the work you are doing does not offer much insight into what you specifically bring to the table for a potential future employer. For example, when I ask a candidate, “what makes you uniquely qualified to be the best candidate for this position?” the most popular answer is “my passion for libraries.” And why wouldn’t we be passionate about libraries? Libraries are the best! Knowledge is power! Everyone should be using them. We know that we are not the highest paid professionals or the fastest growing industry – our passion for libraries may make us unique in the general populace, but not among our peers when interviewing for positions in the library profession.
So, professing our love for libraries as a whole may be exactly the right thing to say to someone we meet on an airplane, but it’s not as helpful in an interview setting. That is the time to be specific about your love of libraries. Take a moment to think about the details of the work you do and why you love it. Do you love working with the public? Advocating for libraries at community events? Providing storytimes and introducing parents to new children’s books and authors? Connecting with teens? Solving problems? Talk specifically about the work you are doing and what you love about it. For example, if someone were to ask me what I love about my job, I could say that I am passionate about libraries, which is certainly true. But I paint a much clearer picture when I talk about the specifics of my work. I deeply enjoy learning about new services and programs our colleagues are bringing to their communities. It is exciting to share with a potential applicant that others respect and value their work as a library leader. It is incredibly meaningful to me to help individuals see their own potential and watch them grow and develop in this profession.
There is so much to love about libraries and librarians. And I want to hear all the details.
