Job Analysis Pt. 2

Youth Services Librarian, St. Louis Public Library

According to the ad for a Youth Services Librarian at the St. Louis Public Library, the position requires someone with "outstanding verbal and written communication skills."  They are also looking for someone who has a strong commitment to serving a diverse population.  The position also requires that the candidate have an MLS from an ALA accredited school, and 3-5 years experience working with youth.  They want someone who can do storytelling and that has program skills.  They also want a librarian who has a strong knowledge of children and teen literature, and someone who can do community outreach.

Right now, I have over 8 years experience working with youth.  I have planned and run programs for most of my time at the Benton Harbor Public Library.  I also run collection development for the Teen Department, have developed a Junior Graphic Novel collection, and helped in the selection of our Adult Graphic Novel collection.  I have volunteered to run story time at my library when my boss was unable.  I was in charge of story time for the last month of our Summer Reading Program because my boss had a broken arm.  I also have run teen and youth book groups.  I've done community out reach to local schools (even those that are out of the normal age range of the patrons I serve in the Teen Department).

I also have strong written skills.  I've done well in my past writing classes, especially Technical Writing.  I have some grammar and punctuation problems, but I am pretty good at editing, especially with some help.  I've been published in VOYA (Voices of Youth Advocates), and I am going to be published next year in the Johns Hopkins Press.

What I lack to be qualified for my dream job is my MLIS.  I need to finish my Master's Degree, and I plan on doing the Graduate Certificate in Public Library Services to Children and Young Adults.

Director of Exhibitions, Indiana State Museum (Indianapolis)

This job would require some different skills than the job as a Youth Services Librarian.  According to their ad, the Indiana State Museum wants someone who has strong management skills and who is able to manage staff schedules and budgets.  This person would most likely also have to be creative.  He or she would need strong communication skills as well.  

There is a certificate program within Wayne State University that would work well for this position.  So, if I wanted to be the Director of Exhibitions at a museum I would want to complete my MLIS and then do the Graduate Certificate in Arts and Museum Librarianship.  Another option would be the joint Master's program with the MLIS and the MA in History Degree program.

I am not sure what else I would do to get the job as the Director of Exhibitions other than to try to get a lower level job at a museum now so that I could start working within that environment.