1. What are the job responsibilities of a Librarian?
Answer:
The main job responsibilities of a librarian include:
i. Maintaining library material- Select, acquire, catalog, classify and circulate the resources.
ii. Perform strategic in-depth research work.
iii. Answering the reader's inquiry and helping them with the resources.
iv. Promoting library resources and facilities.
v. Providing proper supervisory duties.
vi. Work on library budget and resources.
vii. Conduct literature searches and support independent learning.
2. What are the skills required to be a successful Librarian?
Answer:
A librarian needs to possess the following skills:
i. Curiosity coupled with excellent research skills.
ii. Should be well organized and must possess attention to detail.
iii. Excellent communication and people skills couple with a temperament that makes readers feel invited.
iv. Self-Motivated, Dependable and Adaptable.
v. Proficient in using library system and other computer application.
vi. To make the best of this question, have some examples of each of these skills and tell them to the interviewer.
3. How will you ensure an excellent service to your readers?
Answer:
A librarian needs to be approachable and must possess a temperament that keeps the environment inviting and stress free. This question is usually asked to see if you possess a customer-oriented approach.
To answer this question you can say something like: "I value my readers deeply. Providing customer service means helping them with valuable resources and resolve their problems. A library can flourish only if it assists its readers well in procuring and locating the resources. This requires a lot of patience. Having been in this profession for last 5 years, I can handle different types of situations quite easily."
4. How will you help a student with their research work?
Answer:
A library is a place where you can get your required information - authentic and all at one place. And, this motivates the students to go to a library when they need to make a project or carry out some research.
Your answer to this question tell the interviewer if you are organized and resourceful.
To answer this question you can say something like: "After knowing the student's research topic, I compile a list of books that can be helpful to them. If the students are looking for reference material related to some course I guide them accordingly and give access to that resource.
As an additional resource, I give them access to historical documents, newspaper articles, newspaper articles, magazines, etc. Our computer system and database play a crucial role in performing this job effectively."
5. Which library management software do you use?
Answer:
The library management software have really made it very easy for us to manage the libraries and keep them more organized.
The interviewer expect you to possess some computer skills. Talk about the software you have used in your previous jobs.
To answer this question you can say something like: "I am confident of using XYZ software. I have been using it for more than a year now. However, if you need me to learn any other software for this library, it won't be a problem, as I'm a quick learner."
6. How has digitalization of information changed the work for Librarian?
Answer:
A librarian has to be an expert in dealing with both physical and digital information. He should be able to take care of:
i. Information availability: A librarian should able to classify and categorize information and make it easy to retrieve and use.
ii. In-depth high-value research: Digital information is vast and dealing with high volume is difficult to manage. Most of the people find it difficult to do proper research. Librarians act as a go to resource here.
iii. Store digital information: With the penetration of technology in every field, the librarians need make a transition from storing physical assets to manage digital assets. This needs them to be familiar with the new systems and tools.
7. How important is the environment of the library?
Answer:
A library is a place that should promote learning. Students, teachers, professors, children, parents, and all other people should find the environment welcoming. It should cater to their need of getting information and find an opportunity to learn.
To answer this question you can say something like: "I have made proper signage and put up a few display boards which make navigation easy. I ensure that there is no undue disturbance. I also maintain the cleanliness of the library and eliminate clutter. I ensure there is proper lighting and seating arrangement. The books are well managed and kept in a proper manner."
8. As a librarian can you use social media to promote the library?
Answer:
Social media platforms help to establish online presence which can help to increase engagement. It can also market the library as an important community institution. With this question, the interviewer is trying to understand if you have some good marketing knowledge and are you aware of your target audience. With private libraries, this question becomes all the more important.
To answer it effectively, you can say something like: "Social media plays an important role in the success of any institution these days. Some of the activities that I can take up to promote our library on Social media are - Promote it as a community treasure, plan some events, book fairs, author visits and announce them on various social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter to reach a wide range of audience. I can also put up list of books which have been added in the library to increase the foot fall in the library."
