Recruiting Library Staff: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians

Citation

Cassell, K.A. and Mercado, M.I. (2000), "Recruiting Library Staff: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians", The Bottom Line, Vol. 13 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/bl.2000.17013bae.004

Recruiting Library Staff: A How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians

Low, K.Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc.New York1999

Keywords Librarians, Employers, Recruitment, Selection, Employment

This book presents practical information needed to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for effective staff recruitment. It is intended for all levels of library staff who may be called upon to participate in the recruitment process. The author believes the degree of difficulty in recruiting the brightest and the best depends on the extent of your skill in recruitment. Thus, the author does not distinguish between professional and non-professional staff because every single staff member, regardless of classification, contributes to the over-all success of the library in fulfilling its mission.

Chapter one provides an overview of the recruitment process. The following eight chapters take the reader through such topics as:

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  the identification of potential reasons why the library is an attractive place to work;

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  the process of conducting job analysis and of developing or revising job descriptions;

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  the identification of the skills and characteristics needed for library employees;

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  a practical approach to understanding the importance of image;

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  the determination and promotion of that image; and

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  the range of available recruitment methods offered with the advantages/disadvantages.

This book can be read from cover to cover or opened to any aspect of the recruitment process in which you need information and/or guidance. No matter how you use it, this tool will increase your chances of attracting a high caliber applicant pool from which to choose. The author has filled the book with references, sources, worksheets, summaries and examples of what is needed to enhance the image and recruitment of attractive candidates for your library, bibliographical references, organizations, Internet URLs, which libraries can utilize. We recommend that administrators at all levels, human resources personnel, and librarians should all have this book on their desks for ready reference.

Kay Ann Cassell Associate Director, Programs and Services for the New York Public Library's Branch Libraries

Marina I. Mercado Adjunct Faculty member at Mercy College, New York, and a consultant in international business