General
A survey in 1970 of all libraries of all types in the 3-county Detroit metropolitan area conducted by the Wayne State University Department of Library Science (116 libraries responding, including 57% of the school libraries, 94% of the academic libraries, 80% of the special libraries, and 92% of the public libraries) showed that75% of all libraries of all types reported no preference for any particular age level, while 25% indicated their greatest need was for librarians under 35 years of age; the need for black librarians was reported only by the large public and school library systems; and 4 school districts and 10 public libraries reported their greatest need was for male librarians. (Source)
The experience of a single new 1976 library school graduate without previous experience in the 1976 job market applying for specifically advertised professional-level library openings by submitting a job-specific cover letter and resume showed thatthe following was the response rate to 206 applications:
TYPE OF LIBRARY # LIBRARIES # RESPONDING (%)
academic 106 87 82%
public 48 35 73%
special 34 24 71%
federal 7 4 57%
state 6 5 83%
cooperative 5 5 100%
TOTAL 206 160 78%
TYPE OF POSITION
administrative 80 65 81%
reference 66 50 75%
acquisitions/technical services 30 22 73%
circulation 22 17 77%
cataloging 5 3 60%
media/microforms 3 3 100%
TOTAL 206 160 78%
Ibid…. showed thatthe following was the average wait for a response:
TYPE OF LIBRARY # LIBRARIES 3 RESPONDING
academic 87 17
public 35 17
special 24 14
federal 4 45
state 5 10
cooperative 5 12
TOTAL 106 17
TYPE OF POSITION
administrative 65 18
reference 50 19
acquisitions/technical services 22 14
circulation 17 14
cataloging 3 7
media/microforms 3 17
TOTAL 160 17
Ibid…. showed that, of the 160 libraries requesting further information, 33 (21%) requested formal applications, 24 (15%) requested references and 19 (12%) requested transcripts. However, almost all the employers offering extensive consideration did ask for references. (Source)
Ibid…. showed that, of the 106 positions for which responses were received, the average wait was as follows:
TYPE OF LIBRARY # LIBRARIES AVERAGE WAIT (DAYS)
academic 52 44
public 26 37
special 18 25
federal 4 45
state 3 47
cooperative 3 26
TOTAL 106 39
TYPE OF POSITION
administrative 44 42
reference 33 40
acquisitions/technical services 17 35
circulation 8 31
cataloging 2 31
media/microforms 2 21
TOTAL 106 39
A survey reported in 1977 of the larger employers of librarians in the state of Indiana, including academic, public, special, and school libraries (31 institutions or systems queried; 30 responding) showed thatthe top-ranked criteria for hiring (ranked #1 by 20 respondents) was how the candidate handled the personal interview. Further, 18 ranked work experience second or third, and 20 ranked recommendations from former employers second or third. 27 ranked library school grades as fourth, fifth, or sixth in importance. (Source)
A study of academic job advertisements at 5-year intervals (1959,1964, 1969, 1974, and 1979) over a 20-year period taken from 3 library journals (Library Journal, ALA Bulletin/American Libraries, and College and Research Libraries/College and Research Libraries News), excluding jobs that were primarily administrative or technical in nature for a total of 1,254 jobs, showed thatoverall the types of jobs available were as follows:
cataloger 362 jobs, 28.9% of total
reference librarian 246 jobs, 19.6% of total
subject specialist 178 jobs, 14.2% of total
general librarian 177 jobs, 14.1% of total
technical services librarian 158 jobs, 12.6% of total
branch head 56 jobs, 4.5% ot total
circulation librarian 53 jobs, 4.2% of total
rare book/special collections librarian 18 jobs, 1.4% of total
bibliographic instruction librarian 6 jobs, .5% of total (Source)
Ibid…. showed that, in 1959, 48 (26.0%) of the jobs advertised required an M.L.S., of which only 9 (4.9%) of the jobs required an ALA-accredited M.L.S., while by 1979, 244 (97.6%) of the jobs required an M.L.S., of which 193 (77.2%) required an ALA-accredited M.L.S. (Source)
Ibid…. showed that, in 1959, 70 (37.8%) of the jobs advertised required library experience, of which 20 (10.8%) required specialized experience, while by 1979, 171 (68.4%) of the jobs required library experience, of which 138 (55.2%) required specialized experience. (Source)
Ibid…. showed that, in 1959, 1 (.5%) job required a subject master’s degree and no particular subject was specified, while by 1979 69 (27.6%) of the jobs required a subject master’s degree, of which 40 (16.0%) required a specific subject area. (Source)
Ibid…. showed that generally the number of qualifications for professional jobs had increased during the 20-year period. Specifically, the number of jobs requiring:
a foreign language increased from 38 (20.5%) of the jobs in 1959 to 88 (35.2%) of the jobs in 1979;
computer expertise increased from 0 in 1959 to 103 (41.2%) of the jobs in 1979;
subject background increased from 20 (10.8%) of the jobs in 1959 to 81 (32.4%) of the jobs in 1979;
AV knowledge increased from 1 (.5%) of the jobs in 1959 to 18 (7.2%) of the jobs in 1979;
teaching experience increased from 2 (1.1%) of the jobs in 1959 to 11 (4.4%) of the jobs in 1979;
specific library expertise increased from 10 (5.4%) of the jobs in 1959 to 52 (20.8%) of the jobs in 1979;
communicative ability increased from 2 (1.1%) of the jobs in 1959 to 34 (13.6%) of the jobs in 1979;
administrative ability increased from 1 (.5%) job in 1959 to 28 (11.2%) of the jobs in 1979. (Source)
A review of the help-wanted ads in American Libraries and Library Journal for odd-numbered years from 1961 through 1979 plus 1980 for all aspects of librarianship at all levels showed thatfrom 1967 on the number of M.L.S.’s granted exceeded jobs advertised as follows:
YEAR TOTAL ADS IN INDEX M.L.S. DEGREES INDEX
AL & LJ GRANTED
1961 2,826 100 1,931 100
1963 3,159 112 2,363 122
1965 3,673 130 3,211 166
1967 4,401 156 4,489 233
1969 3,171 112 5,932 307
1971 1,505 53 7,001 363
1973 1,071 38 7,696 393
1975 1,105 39 8,091 419
1977 1,215 43 7,572 392
1979 1,384 49 5,906 306
1980 1,508 53 5,374 278
A study reported in 1981 of academic job openings listed in Library Journal during the period 1970-79 (2,531 openings) showed that1,237 (49%) were public service positions, 897 (35%) were technical services openings, and 397 (16%) were administrative openings. (Source)
Ibid…. showed thata cyclical pattern of job availability took place during the decade, beginning with a decline in 1970-72 (from 263 positions in 1970 to 167 in 1972) followed by an upswing in 1973-76 (from 229 positions in 1973 to 354 positions in 1976), which was followed by another decline in 1977-79 (from 317 positions in 1977 to 200 positions in 1979). (Source)
Ibid…. showed thatthe regional distribution of job openings listed generally corresponded to the distribution of academic librarians employed in that region (based on 1970 statistics) in the Southeast, Southwest, and West, while the Northeast had fewer openings compared to the number of academic librarians employed in that area and the Midwest had more. Specifically:
Northeast 26% openings 32% present positions
Southwest 15% openings 16% present positions
Midwest 33% openings 26% present positions
Southwest 10% openings 10% present positions
West 16% openings 16% present positions (Source)
Academic
A 1977 survey of the cataloging department heads in the library of each of the universities with American Library Association accredited graduate library programs (survey size: 60 libraries; responding: 42 or 70%) showed that25 (60%) respondents reported a preference to hire their catalogers just out of library school, while 8 (19%) required new cataloging employees to have at least 2 years of experience. 4 (9%) respondents reported they hired both new and experienced catalogers, while 5 (12%) did not answer the question. (Source)
A survey reported in 1978 of 407 academic and public libraries who had filled professional positions (61% [no number given] responding with 233 or 57% usable responses) showed thatthere was an average of 73 applicants for each academic library position and 47 for each public library position. Broken down by level: entry level averaged 92 applicants per position for academic libraries and 65 for public libraries, departmental level averaged 58 applicants per academic library position and 36 per public library position, administrative level averaged 73 applicants per academic position and 50 per public position. (Source)
Ibid…. showed thatin academic libraries there was an average of 110 applicants per reference position, 109 per audiovisual position, 69 per acquisitions, and 55 per cataloging position [conflicting data given concerning circulation], while in public libraries there was an average of 31 applicants per cataloging position and 26 per reference position, with no data available for other positions. (Source)
Ibid…. showed that over 50% of the respondents ranked the following factors “very” or “most” important in candidates’ obtaining an interview: vita (60%), experience (56%), letters of recommendation (54%), initial application letter accompanying vita (52%). (Source)
Ibid…. showed thatthe following factors were “very” or “most” important in making the final selection: knowledgeability (88%), ability to articulate this knowledge (79%), community relationship (62%), personality (42%), and appearance (33%). ((Source)
Ibid…. showed that respondents reported hiring someone known to a search committee member prior to the search in 25% of the academic library cases and 21% of the public library cases. (Source)
Ibid…. showed that71% of the academic libraries reported affirmative action of “somewhat” or “considerable” importance in the hiring process, compared to 41% of the public libraries so reporting. In both groups 5% of the positions were filled with ethnic minorities, and both groups estimated that about 5% of the applicant pool consisted of ethnic minorities. (Source)
Ibid…. showed thatin academic libraries females were hired in 47% of the cases with the pool estimated at 48%, while in public libraries 37% of the positions were filled by females out of an estimated pool of 30%. (Source)
Ibid…. showed thatin 66% of the cases the hiring institution paid either unconditionally or conditionally for the interview costs. (The condition usually meant the costs were paid unless the applicant turned down an offered position.) (Source)
Ibid…. showed that25% of respondents felt that the applicant should request letters of recommendation, 33% preferred for the committee to request them in their own way, 16% preferred letters sent only upon committee request, and 10% preferred phone references in lieu of letters. (Source)
A study of academic job advertisements at 5-year intervals (1959,1964, 1969, 1974, and 1979) over a 20-year period taken from 3 library journals (Library Journal, ALA Bulletin/American Libraries, and College and Research Libraries/College and Research Libraries News), excluding jobs which were primarily administrative or technical in nature for a total of 1,254 jobs, showed thatthe percentage of advertised positions offering faculty status, while fluctuating, did not substantially change over the 20-year period. Specifically, in 1959, 85 (45.9%) of the positions indicated faculty status, while in 1979, 112 (44.8%) of the positions indicated faculty status. (Source)
Ibid…. showed thatoverall the types of jobs available were as follows:
cataloger 362 jobs, 28.9% of total
reference librarian 246 jobs, 19.6% of total
subject specialist 178 jobs, 14.2% of total
general librarian 177 jobs, 14.1% of total
technical services librarian 158 jobs, 12.6% of total
branch head 56 jobs, 4.5% ot total
circulation librarian 53 jobs, 4.2% of total
rare book/special collections librarian 18 jobs, 1.4% of total
bibliographic instruction librarian 6 jobs, .5% of total (Source)
Ibid…. showed that, in 1959, 48 (26.0%) of the jobs advertised required an M.L.S., of which only 9 (4.9%) of the jobs required an ALA-accredited M.L.S., while by 1979, 244 (97.6%) of the jobs required an M.L.S., of which 193 (77.2%) required an ALA-accredited M.L.S. (Source)
Ibid…. showed that, in 1959, 70 (37.8%) of the jobs advertised required library experience, of which 20 (10.8%) required specialized experience, while by 1979, 171 (68.4%) of the jobs required library experience, of which 138 (55.2%) required specialized experience. (Source)
Ibid…. showed that, in 1959, 1 (.5%) job required a subject master’s degree and no particular subject was specifled, while by 1979 69 (27.6%) of the jobs required a subject master’s degree, of which 40 (16.0%) required a specific subject area. (Source)
A 1979 survey of members of the ACRL Discussion Group of Personnel Officers (sample size: 45; responding: 30) concerning entry-level requirements for professionals showed that24 out of 27 agreed that previous nonprofessional experience was an important requirement for an entry-level position. The “majority” also indicated that the experience should be in an academic library. (Source)
Ibid…. showed that4 respondents reported that a foreign language was required for entry-level positions in their libraries, 16 reported that it was “very important” or “helpful,” while only 1 respondent reported it was unimportant. The languages most often required were Romance languages (26 respondents) or German (22 respondents). (Source)
Ibid…. showed that20 respondents reported cataloging as requiring a foreign language, 11 reported “some reference positions” requiring foreign languages, and 7 reported subject specialists positions requiring a foreign language. (Source)
A survey reported in 1980 of the membership of the Association of College and Research Libraries Discussion Group of Personnel Officers of research libraries concerning the importance of resume elements (population: 54; responding: 38 or 70.4%) showed thatthe 10 resume elements rated most highly by respondents out of 43 were the following (listed in descending order of importance):
1. previous experience in librarianship
2. current address
3. telephone number
4. dates of employment in previous positions
5. brief description of duties in previous positions
6. colleges and universities attended
7. years degrees awarded
8. foreign-language skills
9. full chronological accounting for time after completion of education
10. list of references (names and addresses) (Source)
Public
A survey reported in 1978 of 407 academic and public libraries who had filled professional positions (61% [no number given] responding with 233 or 57% usable responses) showed thatthere was an average of 73 applicants for each academic library positions and 47 for each public library position. Broken down by level: entry level averaged 92 applicants per position for academic libraries and 65 for public libraries, departmental level averaged 58 applicants per academic library position and 36 per public library position, administrative level averaged 73 applicants per academic position and 50 per public position. (Source)
Ibid…. showed thatin academic libraries there was an average of 110 applicants per reference position, 109 per audiovisual position, 69 per acquisitions, and 55 per cataloging position [conflicting data given concerning circulation], while in public libraries there was an average of 31 applicants per cataloging position and 26 per reference position, with no data available for other positions. (Source)
Ibid…. showed thatover 50% of the respondents ranked the following factors “very” or “most” important in candidates’ obtaining an interview: vita (60%), experience (56%), letters of recommendation (54%), initial application letter accompanying vita (52%). (Source)
Ibid…. showed thatthe following factors were “very” or “most” important in making the final selection: knowledgeability (88%), ability to articulate this knowledge (79%), community relationship (62%), personality (42%), and appearance (33%). (Source)
Ibid…. showed that respondents reported hiring someone known to a search committee member prior to the search in 25% of the academic library cases and 21% of the public library cases. (Source)
Ibid…. showed that71% of the academic libraries reported affirmative action of “somewhat” or “considerable” importance in the hiring process, compared to 41% of the public libraries so reporting. In both groups 5% of the positions were filled with ethnic minorities, and both groups estimated that about 5% of the applicant pool consisted of ethnic minorities. (Source)
Ibid…. showed thatin academic libraries females were hired in 47% of the cases with the pool estimated at 48%, while in public libraries 37% of positions were filled by females out of an estimated pool of 30%. (Source)
Ibid…. showed thatin 66% of the cases the hiring institution paid either unconditionally or conditionally for the interview costs. (The condition usually meant the costs were paid unless the applicant turned down an offered position.) (Source)
Ibid…. showed that25% of respondents felt that the applicant should request letters of recommendation, 33% preferred for the committee to request them in their own way, 16% preferred letters sent only upon committee request, and 10% preferred phone references in lieu of letters. (Source)