Unlocking Employment Opportunities for Library and Information Science Graduates

Many a time, graduates of library and information science (LIS) complain of a lack of employment opportunities. Sometimes, they even criticize other non-LIS graduates for taking up their jobs in the library. This trend may not be limited to only librarianship. What this implies is that every tree that bears fruit would not escape stoning.

However, our trained graduates deserve better. But, my dear graduate of LIS, nobody will bring an employment letter to your doorstep. You have to go out and get it or even fight for it.

Ask those who are employed in libraries, and they will tell you about three or four of their colleagues who have resigned, and whose positions were not filled. Therefore, there are vacancies in libraries. But they get filled by anointed candidates.

Anointed candidates are people with strong connections, such as the son of the vice-chancellor, cousin of the registrar, or acquaintance of the principal officers. Even politicians send people who will be employed in the library. 

Anointed candidates are people with a strong relationship with the higher echelons of society. Most of the time, they are square pegs in round holes.

Because of this, the head of the library, such as the university librarian, would not announce the vacancies but search within his network for competent people to fill these positions.

To secure a position, you need passion, competence, skills, and sometimes experience. You must be passionate about librarianship and be ready to meet your clientele's information needs at an extra cost. Librarianship is a caregiving profession; you must show altruism in meeting user needs and enthusiasm for the profession.

Secondly, you need a track record of excellence. In library school, you must be an active member or executive of your professional bodies, such as the departmental association, faculty association, Nigerian Library Association, African Library Association, and International Federation of Library Associations, among others. Participate actively in committees, campaigns, seminars, and conferences. What will be the outcome of this?

You will be aware of who is who in the profession. You will know the trends and connect with the reality of your future calling and gain acquaintance with your potential employers.

Thirdly, you need to network and stay connected with the acquaintances you have created. Build relationships with the professionals you have worked with. Call them occasionally, text regularly, and connect with them on all their social media platforms.

Volunteering has proven to be the most secure strategy to secure a library job. During your mid-semester breaks, long holidays, before your service year, and at every opportunity, volunteer to work in a library. At no cost or with a stipend, you will learn about the world of work. But make sure the university librarian gives you a commendation letter. This will be your passport to secure juicy employment.

And lastly, you cannot be regarded as a librarian without a master's degree in Library and Information Science! Therefore, as a first-degree graduate of LIS, you must immediately enrol for a master's degree. This is a cogent requirement to strengthen your job search and sustain your interest in the profession.

During your job hunt, get a contact list of principal officers in the aspired or proposed potential institutions, organizations, or libraries. Send unsolicited resumes, CVs, and cover letters. With religious adherence to the above strategies in your cover letter, you will be scheduled for an interview and eventual employment.

During the waiting period, be self-employed. Engage in alternate sources of income for library professionals. You might want to read my previous articles.

Dear graduate of library and information science, there are jobs and vacancies for you, but you need to wake up and smell the coffee.

Azeez ADEOYE

Wizard Librarian

+234 (703) 0292959

adeoyeazeez144076@gmail.com