You really have to like talking to people, and often a huge chunk of public library work is more like social work, i.e. helping people with job applications, resume writing, getting forms filled out to apply for social services, etc. If this sounds appealing, then keep trying. Most people working in libraries get burned out by working with the public pretty quickly.
You’ll also find that you need a master’s degree in library science to be a true librarian. Lower tier jobs (start as a page/shelver, then move up to working in circulation) are usually obtainable without a bachelor’s degree, but they pay pretty poorly and there’s not a lot of upward mobility. There’s also a lot of competition for library jobs, I’m afraid, although this differs depending on the area.
Can confirm this - worked in library circulation for a couple years, and then as a tech/network support for the same library. They pay is not great in either case but working as a discount social worker was actually kind of fulfilling in a way. You get to know members of the community, their problems, and actually can provide some tangible help.
The most disheartening part is honestly how many libraries transition away from a focus being a public resource to operating as a business. I’ve seen so many old and rare books get binned because they’re not popular enough. Not to mention how many efforts to keep homeless away/limit their resources I’ve seen over the years.
Maybe you'd be interested in archival studies? It can lead to work as a university librarian, or similar work as an archivist. That would be going the college route, so maybe that's not right for you, but it could be a way to get a stable librarian job. Idk whether there are archivist apprenticeships? There might be?
Don't become a librarian. It's a shrinking field and an incredibly competitive job market. More than likely you'll end up as a research assistant for a historian (if you find an academic job at all).
deleted by creator
You really have to like talking to people, and often a huge chunk of public library work is more like social work, i.e. helping people with job applications, resume writing, getting forms filled out to apply for social services, etc. If this sounds appealing, then keep trying. Most people working in libraries get burned out by working with the public pretty quickly.
You’ll also find that you need a master’s degree in library science to be a true librarian. Lower tier jobs (start as a page/shelver, then move up to working in circulation) are usually obtainable without a bachelor’s degree, but they pay pretty poorly and there’s not a lot of upward mobility. There’s also a lot of competition for library jobs, I’m afraid, although this differs depending on the area.
Can confirm this - worked in library circulation for a couple years, and then as a tech/network support for the same library. They pay is not great in either case but working as a discount social worker was actually kind of fulfilling in a way. You get to know members of the community, their problems, and actually can provide some tangible help.
The most disheartening part is honestly how many libraries transition away from a focus being a public resource to operating as a business. I’ve seen so many old and rare books get binned because they’re not popular enough. Not to mention how many efforts to keep homeless away/limit their resources I’ve seen over the years.
Maybe you'd be interested in archival studies? It can lead to work as a university librarian, or similar work as an archivist. That would be going the college route, so maybe that's not right for you, but it could be a way to get a stable librarian job. Idk whether there are archivist apprenticeships? There might be?
Don't become a librarian. It's a shrinking field and an incredibly competitive job market. More than likely you'll end up as a research assistant for a historian (if you find an academic job at all).