---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 13 Jul 1995 13:10:27 -0600
From: Jan Kemp <lijhk@TTACS.TTU.EDU>
Subject: To an aspiring serialist

Jennifer,

If I were preparing for an interview as a serials librarian (or any type of
librarian, actually), I would think about the work or school experiences
I'd had which required abilities similar to those needed for the job.  I
wouldn't describe just technical serials-type abilities, but experiences
that required personal qualities such as the abililty to work cooperatively
with others, problem-solving and organizing experience or talents,
attention to detail, patience, ability to meet deadlines and remain calm in
the face of frustration, the ability to train others, that sort of thing.
If you've done these sorts of things and have enjoyed it, one way to answer
the question of why you want to be a serials librarian is to say that you
like to do x, y, and z.

You ask if any librarians accepted jobs because of "outside reasons."  I
hate to admit it, but I've taken all of my library jobs for "outside
reasons."  The first job I took because I didn't think it was a good time
to be picky--the job market was very tough.   A couple of the job changes I
made were due to promotions, and in one case I was looking for any job I
could find so that my husband could attend grad school in a particular
city.  Later I took an entry-level job when we relocated again.

>>From what I've seen as a member of search committees in the past year or
so, I'd say that we are currently in a situation where new graduates might
have to be flexible as they apply for jobs.  I don't know how many serials
jobs are open right now across the country, but you might want to stay
flexible and try for other types of library work as well.  You probably
already know this, but you will learn a great deal from your colleagues and
supervisors in the library where you work.  I'd try to find a job at a
library where I thought I could learn a lot from the people--both in terms
of good library practices and in terms of managerial and supervisory
skills.

You're smart to use the Internet as a means to connect with others and to
gather information.  Good luck in your job search!

Jan Kemp

Head, Acquisitions
Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX