These slides are from my 2021 Atlantic Provinces Library Association conference presentation of the same name. I discuss the pros and cons of library contract work, navigating the application and interview process, and provide suggestions as to how you can maximize your time in a short-term role. This presentation is intended for early career or new library school graduates, but the skills presented in this presentation are broadly applicable to many fields.
2. about me
worked in both public and academic libraries
as a library assistant, library technician,
librarian
academic+public library
experience
summer placement students - supporting TD
Summer Reading
student assistants within academic library
term librarian hiring committee
hiring experience
Bachelor of Music - Memorial University, April
2017
Master of Library and Information Science -
Western University, December 2018
Began Master of Arts in Ethnomusicology,
Memorial University, Sept 2020
(relatively) recent
graduate
8 months; 8 weeks; 10 months; 2 weeks; 13
weeks; multiple temporary assignments within
public library system
variety of contract
lengths
3. define 'gig economy'
identify what you want from a short-term contract
connect skills, knowledge, experiences, to job ads
precisely & with confidence
ask specific & effective interview questions
OBJECTIVES
intro
4. defining the 'gig economy'
term popularitzed by Diane Mulcahy, author of The Gig Economy: The Complete Guide to Getting
Better Work, Taking More Time Off, and Financing the Life You Want" (2016)
refers to short-term, precarious work in the private sector, primarily facilitated by apps (e.g., uber,
taskrabbit)
5. flexible schedule
work as much or as little as you
want
save up to take vacation, spend
time with family, etc
expectation
reliance on contract and on-call
staff along with staff who work
part-time involuntarily or whose
hours fall below the threshold for
employee benefits (Henniger et
al.)
physical and emotional strain
(Lacey)
Disproportionately affects women,
BIPOC, 2SLGBTQ+, people with
disabiltiies (Leonard-Boland)
reality for
libraries
gig economy
EXPECTATIONS VS REALITY
HENNINGER, EAN, ET AL. “PERCEPTIONS AND EXPERIENCES OF PRECARIOUS EMPLOYMENT IN CANADIAN LIBRARIES: AN EXPLORATORY
STUDY.” PARTNERSHIP: THE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION PRACTICE AND RESEARCH, VOL. 14, NO. 2, 2, SEPT. 2019.
JOURNAL.LIB.UOGUELPH.CA, DOI:10.21083/PARTNERSHIP.V14I2.5169.
LACEY, SAJNI. “VIEW OF JOB PRECARITY, CONTRACT WORK, AND SELF-CARE.” PARTNERSHIP: THE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF LIBRARY AND
INFORMATION PRACTICE AND RESEARCH, VOL. 14, NO. 1, MAY 2019, DOI:HTTPS://DOI.ORG/10.21083/PARTNERSHIP.V14I1.5212.
LEONARD-BOLAND, JOSEPH. “SURVEYS HIGHLIGHT NEED TO BARGAIN AGAINST PRECARIOUS EMPLOYMENT IN LIBRARY SECTOR.” CANADIAN
UNION OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES, 5 NOV. 2018, HTTPS://CUPE.CA/SURVEYS-HIGHLIGHT-NEED-BARGAIN-AGAINST-PRECARIOUS-EMPLOYMENT-
LIBRARY-SECTOR.
6. limited-term appointme
precarious labour -
72 number of jobs posted in total
41 of those full-time permanent - 61%
24 positions were management-level - 33%
31 that involve some level of precarity - 43%
(limited-term/auxiliary/on-call position,
under 35 hrs/week, less than livable wage)
point-in-time
check: may 17/21
SAULNIER, CHRISTINE. A LIVING WAGE FOR ST. JOHN’S, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR. CANADIAN CENTRE FOR POLICY ALTERNATIVES, 9
MAY 2019, HTTPS://WWW.POLICYALTERNATIVES.CA/PUBLICATIONS/REPORTS/LIVING-WAGE-ST-JOHNS-NEWFOUNDLAND-AND-LABRADOR.
7. why work contracts at all?
if you have little or no library
experience already it can be difficult
to get started
competitive job markets mean the
most qualified, longest-standing
employees are likely first in line for
permanent positions
can give you a variety of different
experience and boost your resume
9. open with what excited you
about the posting, where you
found it, what uniquely
qualifies you for the position
explain why you're the only
person who can do this job
cover letter
make sure you're using the
language in the ad to
describe your qualifications
tailor your experience
nobody will give you a job
you didn't apply for.
you don't know how many
people have applied or what
your chances are.
apply widely & often
applying
10. Qualifications: Requires a strong knowledge of adult nonfiction, library materials
selection practices and tools, public library systems and current library trends. Must
demonstrate strong organizational and communications skills as well as strong
interpersonal skills, initiative and attention to detail. The required knowledge and
abilities would normally be acquired through successful completion of a Masters in
Library Science/Library Information Science (MLS/MLIS) degree from an accredited
university or equivalent combination and experience working in public libraries.
11. hard skills:
knowledge of adult nonfiction
selection practices and tools
public library systems
current library trends
soft skills:
organization
communication
interpersonal skills
initiative
attention to detail
requirements:
MLS/MLIS/relevant experience
12. know where your areas of
expertise are and don't
overstate your knowledge
be honest about what you
know, and explain how you
plan to compensate or adjust
for areas in which you have
less experience
bridge knowledge gaps
indicate your interest by
asking about exactly what
the organization is looking
for by filling this position
ask about projects within
your areas of interest
ask strategic questions
using the last exercise, tie
each soft + hard skill to at
least 2 examples of your own
relevant experience
prepare answering questions
using the examples listed
know your experience
interviewing
13. asking good questions
Q: What types of work do you want to do?
Project-based, team-based, short vs long
deadlines?
"I'm interested in group-based project
work. What opportunities are there to
collaborate with other in the library
system?"
"I like working as part of a group. Does
this position involve committee work?"
Q: What does the organization want to
have completed by the end of the contract?
Keeping things running? Overseeing a
project to completion?
"What does an average day look like in
this position?"
"What does a successful term as
[position title] look like?"
employer's needs your needs
14. ensure you have enough time
to meet the objectives you've
set out for yourself and that
are required of you. schedule
check-ins, set up multiple
goal posts throughout your
contract to keep yourself on
track
plan, plan, plan
keep track of what work
you're doing day to day
keep meticulous notes
in the role
connect with coworkers
individually, ask about their
projects, work experience
look for opportunities to
work together
meet with your
coworkers
15. if you're launching back into
the job hunt, ask potential
references early to vouch for
you
ask for references
show gratitude to those who
spent extra time helping you
adjust, explaining
institutional norms, break
room rules, job duties or
anything else.
this goes a long way towards
establishing your
professional network
thank your mentors
present your work in a
document demonstrating
what you worked on and
completed
if non-contract employees
submit annual reports of
their work, ask for a template
or collective agreement for
structure
highlight your
accomplishments
as the contract ends
18. additional resources
Harvey, David. A Brief History of Neoliberalism, Oxford University Press, 2005.
Poverty and Employment Precarity in Southern Ontario. The Precarity Penalty: The Impact of Employment Precarity on Individuals, Households and
Communities - and What to Do about It. PEPSO, May 2015.
Ravenelle, Alexandrea J. Hustle and Gig: Struggling and Surviving in the Sharing Economy. 1st ed., University of California Press, 2019. JSTOR,
www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctvcwp0kc.