Library Media Assistant Interview Questions: Page 1
Original Post:
Not long ago, I remembered a post that listed questions to ask a prospective
library clerk. I did not save it and I could not find it in LM_NET
Archives. We are conducting interviews for a new library clerk in the near
future. Do you have suggestions for possible questions? I'd appreciate any
help.
____
An LM-Net sent me the original hit post by Mindy Doler. Since so many have
asked for hit here it is again and additional information can be found on
page 2.
_____
I would TEST for typing ability and alphabetizing skills. Do they like
kids? Do they have patience with kids?
I would be concerned about their general demeanor and ask a scenario type
question, like an event that would be stressful and how they would
react -since PR is such an important thing in the media center. Some of the
most competent people on paper can have some of the most volatile or
inappropriate reactions.
Not any particular questions to offer, but a general suggestion. Rather
than questions, pose a couple of scenarios that are unusual but not uncommon
in your library and ask the interviewee how they would handle the situation.
The advantage of scenarios rather than questions is that with questions you
are almost directing the kind of answer you want, but with a scenario you
are requiring the applicant to think about many sides of a situation and
giving a gut reaction based on knowledge, training, experience, and values.
Here is an example: A student enters the library to use a computer for an
assignment. A bit later you are shelving books near the student and notice
a game site displayed on the computer. What do you do?
Another example: A teacher calls to schedule a library visit with her class
and when you look at the schedule you see that another teacher has signed up
for the same time period, but there's no indication of what that visit is
for. Your library can handle two classes at a time, depending on what they
are doing. The librarian isn't available to ask about the situation. How
will you handle this?
Our librarian feels that anyone that works in a high school library should
be a voracious reader. Two of the questions in my interview were "What
kinds of material do you read?" and "Who is your favorite author?"
Another one dealt with prioritizing tasks.
Have you had experience checking books out using an automated system? Are
you comfortable with computers? (Library automation)
How do you respond to the student who loves to read but forgot to return her
overdue books for the second week in a row?
Some people like to have lots of details and others like to approach a task
and decide how to do it along the way. How do you like to approach a task?
Tell us why you're interested in this position.
Do you know or are you familiar with the Dewey Decimal System?
Can you be flexible around your schedule? Starting time and/or ending
time-within the 8:00 to 4:30 range.
Much of the job will be re-shelving and book processing are you comfortable
with that?
Sometimes creative opportunities arise such as displays, posters, etc.
Would you be interested those opportunities?
Often students come ask for information for reports, etc - what would be
your steps in assisting them?
What library experience do you have?
Are you comfortable giving directions to adult volunteers?
What do you feel is the most important aspect of student discipline?
You are helping a student when a teacher comes up and needs a book checked
out immediately so she can get back to class. How do you respond?
I am on my 3rd assistant in 9 years (one, promoted; one, moved), and have
never been even allowed to sit in on the interviewing process. So, there
are a lot of things they never seem to ask:
Are you familiar with a computer? With MS Office?
How do you feel about doing data entry 90% of the time? How fast do you
accurately type?
Give the person a spelling test, and listen for proper grammar.
Ask if timeliness is a priority (my current assistant is never here by the
appointed time, and she only lives @ 2 miles away)
Check to see if they can read and type what they read accurately. My
current aide has terrible language skills; she can barely read (definitely
needs new glasses)--has to pick up every page, put it down, type a line,
pick up the page/paper again, etc. etc. And she is so loud I can barely
stand it! Plus, she has this 'good old country habit' of slapping kids on
the shoulder (which is a definite no-no in high school).
I need to tell you this because there are no requirements, except that it
is a live body to fill the assistant position. The principal and central
office don't think any skills are necessary.
NOHS Media Assistant Interview Questions
Do you know these pieces of Audio/Visual equipment?
* Overhead
* TV/ VCR/ DVD
* Scan converter/ LCD projector
* Cassette player/ slide projector/ Opaque projector
* Binder/ dye-cut machine
* Laminator
Ask a scenario type questions. Give an event that would be stressful and
how they would react -since PR is such an important thing in the media
center.
There are 2 classes researching in the media center, plus students in on
passes, a teacher sends a student to the media center with a note that
she/he is having a problem with their computer and I have to leave the media
center for a period of time. How would you react to these situations?
1. How do you respond to the student who loves to read but forgot to
return her overdue books for the second week in a row?
2. You are helping a student when a teacher comes up and needs a book
checked out immediately so she can get back to class. How do you respond?
Prioritizing tasks
Much of the job will be re-shelving and book processing are you comfortable
with that? Do you have any physical limitations?
Are you comfortable with computers? How much of your day do you spend on
the computer (at home and at work)?
* Word
* Excel
* Email
* Internet and search engines
* Do you know what a LAN is?
* What do YOU do when your computer does not work?
What do you know about the Dewey Decimal System?
Sometimes creative opportunities arise such as displays, posters, etc.
Would you be interested those opportunities?
What kinds of material do you read? Who is your favorite author?
Can you be flexible around your schedule? Starting time and/or ending
time-within the 8:00 to 4:30 range.
Martha Oldham
Librarian
Lawrence High School
Lawrence, Kansas
66046
Library Page: http://library.lhs.usd497.org
Personal Page: http://teachers.usd497.org/moldham/
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