I chose to interview Julia, my supervising librarian, for this assignment. I conducted the interview today at 11:00 AM (October 29th) and have included the questions and her responses below. I selected Julia because she has been instrumental in my development during my internship at Beaumont Public Library. Her mentorship has been invaluable, she is approachable, enthusiastic, and deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of library professionals. As the head of Outreach Services, Julia has given me hands-on experience by involving me in numerous community outreach events. These opportunities have allowed me to see firsthand how public libraries connect with and serve their communities beyond the building's walls. Through observing her leadership and participating in these programs, I have gained practical insights into what makes an effective librarian and how to build meaningful relationships with diverse patron populations.
1. What key differences did you notice between working as a school librarian and transitioning to public library management, and what skills transferred well between these roles?
The biggest difference Julia noticed was the diversity of her patron base. In school libraries, she worked with a specific age group and had the luxury of seeing the same students repeatedly, building long-term relationships. At the public library, she serves everyone from toddlers at storytime to senior citizens learning technology, sometimes all in the same hour. However, her teaching background transferred beautifully, she still uses those instructional skills daily, whether she's teaching someone to use the catalog system, leading a book club discussion, or training new staff. The classroom management skills also help when the library gets busy or when she needs to handle difficult patron situations diplomatically.
2. How did pursuing your MLIS while working as a credentialed librarian shape your approach to library management and professional development?
Julia found that doing both simultaneously gave her a unique advantage. The theory she was learning in her MLIS courses could be immediately applied and tested in her real-world work environment. She remembers taking a collection development course while actively building the school library's collection, which made the coursework feel incredibly relevant. Being credentialed as a teacher-librarian gave her classroom credibility, but the MLIS opened doors to broader library management roles. She appreciated learning about different library types—academic, special, public, even though she knew she loved public libraries. That comprehensive education helps her understand the larger information science ecosystem and collaborate better with other institutions.
3. What are the most important skills or qualities you look for when hiring or mentoring new librarians at Beaumont Public Library?
Julia emphasized that technical library skills can be taught, but she looks for three essential qualities: genuine enthusiasm for helping people, flexibility, and problem-solving abilities. Public libraries are incredibly dynamic environments where you might help someone find a romance novel, troubleshoot a computer issue, calm a distressed patron, and plan a community program all within an hour. She values staff who don't see questions as interruptions but as opportunities to connect. She also looks for continuous learners, people who stay current with technology and evolving library services. Her teaching background makes her particularly attuned to mentoring potential; she loves developing new librarians and watching them discover their own strengths within the profession.
4. How has public library work evolved during your 8 years at Beaumont, and what trends do you see shaping the future of public libraries?
Julia has watched the library transform from primarily a book-lending institution to a true community hub. When she started, most questions were about the catalog; now she gets as many questions about WiFi passwords, job applications, and notary services. The library has become the information safety net for the community. She's added maker spaces, expanded technology lending (hotspots, tablets, laptops), and developed partnerships with local organizations. Looking forward, she sees libraries becoming even more essential as third spaces—neutral places where people can gather, learn, and connect. She's passionate about addressing digital equity and sees libraries playing a crucial role in bridging the digital divide. She also believes library workers need to evolve into community connectors and social workers as much as information specialists.
5. What advice would you give to someone considering a career change into librarianship, based on your own transition from teaching?
Julia's advice is to first volunteer or work part-time in a library if possible to understand the reality versus the perception. Many people think library work is quiet and bookish, but it's actually very social and constantly changing. Her teaching burnout came from feeling constrained by curriculum requirements and testing pressures, and she loves that libraries offer more autonomy and creativity. However, she warns that public libraries come with their own challenges, limited budgets, serving vulnerable populations, and being open to scrutiny as a public institution. For career changers, she emphasizes that transferable skills matter enormously. Her teaching experience wasn't wasted; it became her superpower. She encourages people to think about what they love about their current work and find ways those passions can translate into library services.
6. What aspects of public library work are most fulfilling to you, and what keeps you passionate about this career?
What Julia loves most is the daily impact she sees. Unlike teaching where you might wait months to see if a lesson stuck, library work offers immediate gratification, the moment someone's face lights up when they find the perfect book, or when a patron finally gets their resume printed for a job interview. She loves being part of people's lifelong learning journeys at every stage. After eight years, she still gets excited introducing someone to their first library card or helping a regular patron discover a new author. The variety also keeps her engaged; no two days are identical. Moving from Riverside to Beaumont allowed her to serve a smaller, tight-knit community where she really knows her patrons, which feels more personal than the larger system. She also appreciates that libraries are fundamentally about equity and access, values that align with why she became an educator in the first place.
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