Interview Questions Answers
Answer
Librarian working with grade 7 and above must have a School Librarian Certification (e.g., Teacher of Library – Elementary, Teacher of Library – Secondary, Library Media Specialist)
Librarian should be comfortable using and integrating technology throughout his/her work with students and teachers
Librarian should be capable of differentiating learning for all students
Librarian should have an understanding of the library’s role in reading motivation and school-wide programming
Librarian should have an understanding of inquiry-based learning and teaching information fluency skills
Question No:2 What is your philosophy of education? How does your vision of the school library fall within this philosophy?
Answer
The answers to these questions reflect individual beliefs; nonetheless, their vision for the school library should incorporate the following ideas:
The school library fosters a community of learning, literacy, and inquiry that leads to high academic achievement
The school library is an integral part of the school and serves as a hub for learning and student success
The school library has an important role in fostering independent reading
Question No:3 How would you integrate technology and information literacy skills into your work with students and teachers?
Answer
Librarian should be comfortable using technology on a consistent basis
Librarian teaches technology and information literacy skills from the Information Fluency Continuum (IFC)
Librarian understands the inquiry process and how to infuse information literacy skills in collaboration with teachers across the curriculum
Librarian expresses knowledge of a particular research methodology (e.g., Independent Investigation Method, Big 6)
Librarian should stay up-to-date on the latest technologies and their use for teaching and learning
Librarian should provide access to online databases and electronic resources
Librarian should ensure the library is integrated into the school’s technology plan
Librarian should communicate to students and faculty the ethical and safe use of technology
Librarian should offer professional development to teachers on the use of technology and electronic resources for content-area learning
Question No:4 How do you connect what you do in the library with the classroom curriculum?
Answer
Librarian should collaborate with classroom teachers to design inquiry based units that integrate the teaching and application of information fluency skills
Librarian should collaborate with classroom teachers to co-teach whenever possible
Question No:5 What do you see as the role of the librarian in the school setting and what do you hope to bring to the library?
Answer
Librarian should be an instructional leader in the school
Librarian should provide professional development for teachers
Librarian should communicate regularly with staff, students, and parents about library resources and programs in various forms (e.g., print and electronic newsletters, displays, Web page)
Librarians should assist the school in integrating the library program into the Comprehensive Educational Plan (CEP)
Question No:6 What kind of library attracts students, staff and parents?
Answer
Library should be a central hub for student achievement and independent learning
Library should be a bright, warm and inviting space that welcomes students, staff and parents
Library should be a well-maintained space that incorporates comfortable reading areas, an instructional area (for whole groups, small groups and individuals), clear signage, creative displays and technology
Question No:7 What is library automation? How do you use and maintain a library automation system?
Answer
Automation is a software package used to assist building level librarians with the management of the library catalog (OPAC-Online Public Access Catalog), circulation, material and patron activity, as well as the production of a variety of reports and statistics
There are many automation programs, some of which are Web-based and others of which are only accessible at the library
Librarian should have a basic understanding of the automation process, maintenance of a library automation program, importation and deletion of material records, preserving the integrity of catalog records, the regular back up of data, the use of the system to monitor and prepare reports of library circulation and usage
Question No:8 How would you promote reading?
Answer
Librarian should provide a wide variety of programming (e.g., author visits, author chats, displays, book talks, summer reading) to promote reading throughout the school
Librarian should use technology to promote reading (e.g., Web-based catalog, author Websites, wikis, blogs)
Librarian should collaborate with public library for book talks and community outreach activities
Question No:9 How do you develop and maintain a library collection that will meet the needs of our students, parents, and staff?
Answer
Librarian should survey the needs and interests of students, teachers and parents in the school
Librarian should use professional review sources (e.g., School Library Journal, Booklist, Horn Book) and collection development/selection tools (e.g., Titlewave) to develop material orders
Librarian should regularly read a wide variety of material for school-aged children and young adults
Librarian should provide materials in a variety of formats including print, e-books, software, electronic databases, audio/visual, etc.
Librarian should continually discard (weed) old, damaged, and out-dated materials to maintain a collection that meets the needs and interests of students, teachers, staff and the curriculum
Question No:10. What type of schedule would you set up for library classes?
Answer
Librarian should be able to schedule the library space for maximum and most effective use of the space using a flexible schedule and open access
A public version of the library’s master schedule should be clearly posted
Librarian should schedule classes as a result of planned library use and instruction in order to integrate with classroom learning experiences
The library schedule should provide access to resources, opportunities for independent and group learning, and instruction in information fluency skills
Question No:11 What is library automation? How do you use and maintain a library automation system?
Answer
► Automation is a software package used to assist building level librarians with the management of the library catalog (OPAC-Online Public Access Catalog), circulation, material and patron activity, as well as the production of a variety of reports and statistics
► There are many automation programs, some of which are Web-based and others of which are only accessible at the library
► Librarian should have a basic understanding of the automation process, maintenance of a library automation program, importation and deletion of material records, preserving the integrity of catalog records, the regular back up of data, the use of the system to monitor and prepare reports of library circulation and usage
Question No:12 How do your background, education, and work experiences qualify you for the position of Library Media Specialist?
Answer
| ► Librarian working with grade 7 and above must have a School Librarian Certification (e.g., Teacher of Library - Elementary, Teacher of Library - Secondary, Library Media Specialist) ► Librarian should be comfortable using and integrating technology throughout his/her work with students and teachers ► Librarian should be capable of differentiating learning for all students ► Librarian should have an understanding of the library’s role in reading motivation and school-wide programming ► Librarian should have an understanding of inquiry-based learning and teaching information fluency skills |
Question No:13 How do you develop and maintain a library collection that will meet the needs of our students, parents, and staff?
Answer
► Librarian should survey the needs and interests of students, teachers and parents in the school
► Librarian should use professional review sources (e.g., School Library Journal, Booklist, Horn Book) and collection development/selection tools (e.g., Titlewave) to develop material orders
► Librarian should regularly read a wide variety of material for school-aged children and young adults
► Librarian should provide materials in a variety of formats including print, e-books, software, electronic databases, audio/visual, etc.
► Librarian should continually discard (weed) old, damaged, and out-dated materials to maintain a collection that meets the needs and interests of students, teachers, staff and the curriculum
Question No:14 What are your qualifications for the job of a librarian?
Answer
Most job postings today require a qualification of some sort. Therefore, it would be a wise idea to carry along any and every document relevant to your profile. Of course, the interviewer may or may not have time to view the documents, but carrying those two or three pieces of paper would mean a lot if the interviewer has time to go through them.
Question No:15 what kind of library attracts students, staff and parents?
Answer
► Library should be a central hub for student achievement and independent learning
► Library should be a bright, warm and inviting space that welcomes students, staff and parents
► Library should be a well-maintained space that incorporates comfortable reading areas, an instructional area (for whole groups, small groups and individuals), clear signage, creative displays and technology
► Library should be a bright, warm and inviting space that welcomes students, staff and parents
► Library should be a well-maintained space that incorporates comfortable reading areas, an instructional area (for whole groups, small groups and individuals), clear signage, creative displays and technology
