Interview+Questions+Hit

Here are the four lists of Interview Questions! These questions really helped me to prepare for my interview today, and the group that interviewed me were very impressed with the questions I asked, so I want to thank all the LM_Netters that responded to my post! Thanks so much! Victoria Scannello

1. How would you handle discipline? 2. How will you go about collaborating with teachers, even some reluctant ones? 3. How will you promote reading in the library/ media center? 4. I had someone once ask me in an interview to describe one of my weaknesses. Who wants to admit that? I would suggest giving a weakness that is a really a compliment... 5. They will ask you about Boys who don’t Read and how you would combat that. 6. How can you get middle school students to read? 7. Lastly - middle schoolers thrive on competition - use this hook to get them reading and class by class competition etc. 8. They may ask why you want to work for that district 9. what will you do to promote the library 10. what do you consider your strengths 11. how will you handle disruptive students 12. how will you encourage collaboration with faculty 13. What is your level of technology knowledge, can you set up a web page or trouble shoot technology problems? 14. What automation systems are you familiar with 15. They may ask about your student teaching experience.
 * LIST ONE: QUESTIONS FOR THE CANDIDATE:**

23. The principal asked me what I needed from her to do the best job in the library. I had a lot of trouble with that question b/c I had only thought of what I would do… 24. They may ask you collection development questions, acquisitions questions... 25. Do you have a favorite book that you would recommend to a reluctant reader? 26. What is the best part of this job? 27. Why should we hire you? 28. What would be some goals for the library? 29. What would you do in a book challenge? (know the steps to take)


 * 1) Give us a brief introduction on what brings you here today.


 * 1) What role does the media center play in a school?


 * 1) What is your role in the school community?


 * 1) How would you envision yourself interacting with staff?


 * 1) How will you help the Planning Team in developing curriculum and the program of studies?


 * 1) Describe the atmosphere you would find most appropriate for a high school media center. For example, if students were in the media center for a study hall, would you expect silence, quiet talking, or anything goes?


 * 1) What types of activities would be appropriate for students to be engaged in during this time?


 * 1) Talk about how you would handle a student who was creating a disturbance.
 * 2) There has been a lot of talk about technology replacing books and libraries becoming obsolete. What is your opinion on this? Which do you feel is most important for you to promote in the media center?


 * 1) How would you go about selecting an opening day collection? What tools and resources would you use?


 * 1) With a limited budget, how will you make decisions about where to spend your money?


 * 1) In your Library, what percentage of the materials would be novels or books, what percentage would be on-line licensing for reference materials, what percentage would be hands-on reference materials and what percentage would be print periodicals?


 * 1) Are there additional methods you could use to obtain materials once the budget has been expended?


 * 1) What are the three most important things for you to do in getting a new media center up and running?


 * 1) What is your favorite Young Adult book or author?


 * 1) How can you assist other teachers when they are looking to infuse technology into their lessons?


 * 1) Can you use a Smart Board?


 * 1) What library automation systems are you familiar with?


 * 1) On a daily basis, where would your priorities fall among the following tasks: shelving books, assisting students, processing books, planning with staff, working with classes on various aspects of research projects?


 * 1) How would you react if a parent calls you and has a problem with a text or book in the library and wants it pulled from the shelves?


 * 1) If you had to describe yourself, what 3 words would describe you?


 * 1) What questions do you have of us?

Questions the Librarian Candidate Should Ask: 1. Make sure and ask about the technology in the library. 2. Ask them about the budget, such as how much do you get yearly 3. Ask them about the curriculum. Talk to them about integrating the library into the curriculum and planning lessons with teachers. 4. Ask to see the library (I'm sure they'll give you a tour). Ask about the technology available to you. 5. Ask what catalog is in use and whether it's a Union catalog. 6. Ask about a book club. 7. What is the budget for libraries district-wide? 8. What types of resources are available to students, school-wide and district-wide (databases, online encyclopedias, etc)? 9. How much (or how little) responsibility does the librarian have in regards to computer software and hardware (maintaining computers, ordering software, etc) 10. How much opportunity is there for collaboration in the librarian's schedule (fixed or flex) and do the teachers usually collaborate with the librarian on lessons or units? 11. You might want to know why the person in the job now is leaving. If there has been a turnover in librarians in the last few years it could raise a red flag 12. What would your hours be? Are they the same as faculty? Are summer hours required or allowed? 13. Is there a flex or fixed schedule? 14. Is there an aide assigned to library? or is this person shared with another dept.? 15. How is the library budget managed? 16. Research Middle School Concept.
 * LIST THREE: QUESTIONS CANDIDATE SHOULD ASK INTERVIEWER**

how many books are grades required to read each year

26. Tell them that you believe that the LMC should be the HUB of the school. 27. Tell them that you want to have a book club and have contests etc. 28. If you are technologically savvy, tell the interviewers that you want to teach the students to do PowerPoint presentations as an alternative to written reports since it gives the student the opportunity to improve speaking skills and also Microsoft Publisher because it is a marketable skill, and helps students with writing skills.

=**General Questions**= 7. What do you think your greatest strength as a librarian would be? =**Professional Development**= Could include state Association conferences, in-service workshops, regional library consortium programs, etc., in: • Technology applications, including library automation systems, website development, etc. • New resources, including book examination and review programs, online database training • Curriculum and information-literacy issues, including cyber-ethics, collaboration strategies, • Marketing techniques, book repair, etc. =**Technology**= Candidate should be able to discuss web-design skills, rationale and strategies for developing and uploading pathfinders; e.g.,: selection/evaluation of useful links, etc. In other words: has the candidate done any research about this library’s programs/services? Have they looked at the school website? The Library website? Developing essential questions to focus their research; difference between free web and invisible web. Value of using quality/authoritative sources such as subscription databases Boolean search strategies Comparison of web vs. print resources Possible Info-skills cycle course to ensure that all students continue development of info-lit skills taught in lower grades. Ongoing collaboration with grade level teams to ensure that skills are developed sequentially and utilized across the curriculum in both simple and complex research activities. =**Collaboration**= Collaborating with teachers; developing authentic inquiry-based learning activities, teaching effective info-lit skills Try to find ways to connect to the classroom curriculum. I would highlight how you see yourself making the library program integral. =**Library Management**= Note: it is important for candidates to know – up front – if there is no library support staff! =**Collection Development**= __Books__: review journals such as School Library Journal, Library Media Connection, VOYA (for middle and/or high schools) annual Best Books programs from nationally-known presenters, Regional Library consortium’s Book Evaluation meetings. __Subscription databases__: review journals such as Library Media Connection, Classroom connect. Should test (use free trials) databases with student AND teachers before purchasing! __Websites__: Librarians’ Index to the Internet, Surfaquarium, Classroom Connect, LM_Net Importance of balanced collections to support the curriculum to meet the standards - and "that is where I would need your aid for financial and administrative support." I would have discussed the role of the librarian as a team player and a master teacher. Collection development to meet curriculum needs; having new materials available as soon as possible, letting teachers know what is available for use Since reading is so important, I would talk about how as the librarian we usually read hundreds of reviews and generally know what's the best that's out there and can provide teachers with great read aloud selections, ideas for author studies, our school does a lot with character development, interesting language (writing traits) so I really try to locate books that will meet those needs for the classroom teacher who really doesn't have time. =**Information Literacy**= Teach cyber-ethics, as part of all computer skills and research activities Collaborate with teachers to design projects that require critical and creative thinking skills, not just regurgitation of facts. Knowledge of: multiple learning styles; core content curriculum standards; teaching resources that offer project ideas Skilled at teaching the research process. Collaborative attitude Describe some of the ways you would promote a love of reading to students in general, and specifically to boys. =**Lesson Planning**= Possible responses: Knowledge of middle school curriculum, philosophy, developmental stages of early adolescence. Providing resources and materials to meet personal, non-academic needs and interests; range of reading levels, variety of formats, etc. Providing instruction in independent learning skills; providing a non-judgmental haven for exploring new ideas. You might want to think about presenting a mini lesson. The principal may ask what would make a perfect lesson. You can mention collaboration, meeting standards, engaging students, using technology, etc. Take a book or two with a prepared a "mini" lesson. =**Questions to ask**= To find out if they truly understand what libraries should be doing--- most will say the library is the 'heart of the school'--but you might want to follow-up with a question such as, "Exactly how does the library become the” heart" of the school?" Is there is a committee on professional development in the district that you could sit on, what the past history and/or policy is of district allowing employees to attend conferences and workshops, whether they have a push in or go out philosophy or if there is in-house professional development, also who decides if and when people attend them and who pays for it, including expenses. Let them know that you are serious about keeping abreast of new developments and up to date in your skills so you can better serve your population. You will want to know if they even have any goals or if they just need a warm-body in the library. If they have goals, you should find things like: student involvement in literary activities and research, teacher-librarian collaboration on activities, providing resources that reflect the curriculum, providing services that help students achieve success in areas of reading, research, and / or academic achievement through teacher-librarian instruction. This will give you an idea of IF they are even aware of what is happening or IF the teachers and librarian(s) have worked together. They will give probably give you hours, but you will want to know how many classes they expect you to "cover"--what types of extra assignments you will need to provide for the teachers—if you are babysitting for teachers, then there's a good reason for some librarians to leave. If you have to be the librarian AND the teacher AND the disciplinarian AND the clerical assistant, then burn-out it a probable cause for the turn-over.) If you're doing bus duty, hall duty, study-hall, etc., then you're a para-professional within the classroom, not the librarian! If they say "teacher evaluation form," then suggest that they use a form that truly reflects your job duties AND provide them with one—many available through LM_NETters!) There should be two or three different key people involved. Also, when you bring up the area of purchasing materials, you might also want to ask if the materials will be approved based upon YOUR qualifications as the librarian in the selection of those materials--"Will my requests for purchases need to be approved line by line or merely by amount?"—sometimes if an administrator wants to oversee EVERY item, including books for the library, there are problems. You should be given the professional authority to make purchases based upon professional qualifications and your budget NOT by the judgment of an administrator who wants to oversee every title.) If there are no procedures (you take care of the problems), then explain that you will need to also write a policy regarding "disciplinary procedures while in the library" for the students. What are the areas of "need"?—If budget is small and needs are large, then there are problems. If there is no plan to increase the budget or ideas for ways to assist the librarian in this area, you also may have problems--perhaps librarians have been forced to meet goals without the financial support needed to help them. =**General Helpful Hints**= Brush up on the four areas of the SLMS position as outlined in Information Power. Be prepared to highlight one or two strong accomplishments, present yourself as thoughtful and enthusiastic. Let the principal know how recent studies indicate that school librarians, supported by a healthy budget, a full-time professional librarian, and an assistant have significantly positive effects on student achievement. If you intend to fully integrate information skills within the curriculum by collaborating with teachers, let the principal know this.
 * 1) How will you promote the use of the media center by both teachers and students?
 * 2) Describe the atmosphere you will create in the library.
 * 3) Why do you want to work at this school?
 * 4) Tell us about yourself.
 * 5) Why would you like to be a librarian?
 * 6) What qualities do you feel are necessary to have when working with students?
 * 7) What do you feel like are the 3 most important qualities of a good librarian?
 * 1) How will you evaluate the library services?
 * 1) Would you be able to attend the training in June?
 * 2) Describe a recent learning experience – other than your coursework for certification – that would help you in this job. (In other words – is the candidate a life-long learner?)
 * 1) There has been a lot of talk about technology replacing books and libraries becoming obsolete. What is your opinion on this? Which do you feel is most important for you to promote in the media center?
 * 2) What automation system(s) are you familiar with? What age do you feel it is appropriate for students to learn to use the OPAC?
 * 3) How comfortable are you with creating a web page? What is your experience with creating and maintaining web pages?
 * 4) What do you do to keep current in the field of library science, children’s literature and/or technology?
 * 5) Tell us about your knowledge concerning technology. How would you work with teachers and students to integrate computer skills in to the curriculum? What are your troubleshooting skills?
 * 6) What experience have you had with the Internet? Should Internet access be monitored?
 * 7) Rate your computer skills on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the most skilled. What programs are you comfortable using?
 * 1) Many of our students think they just need to go online and Google for information. What else do YOU think they need to know, to be effective web-searchers?
 * 1) How would you make sure that all students develop critical web-searching skills?
 * 1) Give an example of an integrated project you have worked with a teacher on.
 * 2) Give an example of a project that didn't work well and what you learned from that project.
 * 3) How will you get teachers to collaborate with you?
 * 1) We have block scheduling for library classes, are you familiar with block vs. open scheduling? Which do you think you would be more comfortable implementing?
 * 1) How would you manage the daily work: checking books in/out, shelving, reports, maintaining the computers and automation system?
 * 2) How would you handle a student who is a consistent behavioral problem?
 * 3) What are the three most important things for you to do your first month of work?
 * 4) You will have a full-time assistant at each of the schools. What would be the role each of you would play? How would volunteers fit into the equation?
 * 5) This LMC is a one-person operation: how would you prioritize all the responsibilities of managing a library program for a school this size?
 * 1) How would you envision a typical day or week, having to split your time between two buildings?
 * 2) Describe the routine and strategies you feel are necessary to promote a smooth-running library.
 * 3) What kind of atmosphere would you like your library to have?
 * 4) Request to see a copy of the past year's library schedule. Ask who determines the library schedule and what the degree of flexibility is.
 * 1) How do you go about choosing books/media for your collection? What do you look for?
 * 1) How will you handle controversial subjects in the media center?
 * 2) What happens when you get a letter from a parent raising a concern over a book in your collection?
 * 3) What is your favorite picture book/author and chapter book/author?
 * 4) Please name some recent young adult books/authors that are of high interest to this age group.
 * 5) With assessments and standards becoming increasingly important in schools, how would you structure the library programs to accommodate this?
 * 1) Do magazines circulate?
 * 1) Teachers have been complaining that kids are just copying stuff off the Web, and then handing that in as ‘research.’ What would you suggest for dealing with this problem?
 * 1) How can you help teachers develop effective inquiry-based learning activities?
 * 1) How would you correlate AR with our state’s Reading Initiative?
 * 2) How do you feel about being a resource person?
 * 3) Explain what you do to teach information literacy skills beginning in preschool. Where is your portfolio? What kind of activities and lessons does it display?
 * 1) Why do you want to work with these grade levels?
 * 1) How do you see (middle school) philosophy impacting the library’s mission and goals?
 * 1) Describe what a thirty minute visit to the library with a class of first graders might look like.
 * 1) Do students check-in/out their own books?
 * 2) Is Accelerated Reader (AR) a big or small focus?
 * 3) Will I be on curriculum committees?
 * 4) What are the expectations of the administration? The teachers?
 * 5) Will I be able to present staff developments (ex. Big6 skills, copyright, etc.)?
 * 6) Meet with grade level teams?
 * 7) Does the media specialist have the opportunity to serve on curriculum and leadership committees? Which district committees does the media specialist have the opportunity to serve on?
 * 8) School-wide programs (discipline, character, etc.) that I need to be aware of?
 * 9) What is expected of you/staff/faculty support for the library program...both in the school and in the library?
 * 10) What is the philosophy of the administration regarding the library?
 * 1) What professional development schedule and opportunities exist?
 * 1) When would you plan with the teachers?
 * 2) How have the teachers and the librarian(s) worked together in the past?
 * 3) Are teachers collaborative? How?
 * 4) How much planning time does your librarian have?
 * 5) Is a substitute provided when your librarian is absent? Library clerk?
 * 6) How dependent (the LMS is) on the computer teacher and vice -versa.
 * 7) How many students, how many classes, how often the classes come to the library.
 * 8) What other duties are expected to be performed?
 * 9) What are the administrations' long-term goals regarding the library program?
 * 1) What are some of the best projects that YOU (as an administrator) have seen regarding collaborative efforts?
 * 1) What would a daily / weekly schedule for the library / librarian look like at this school?
 * 1) Do you have a part-time/full-time assistant? Do you have any parent volunteers?
 * 1) What extra duties will be required of the librarian?
 * 1) Who will be evaluating you as the library media specialist? Will that person be using a librarian evaluation form or a teacher evaluation form?
 * 1) Who would you speak to regarding budgets, purchases, disciplinary problems, etc?
 * 1) Ask if there are disciplinary problems within the library? What are the rules regarding discipline problems? What are the procedures?
 * 1) Budget, size of budget.
 * 1) What are your hours? Do you have to work longer than the teachers? Days after regular school session is over? Coming in earlier than the teachers?
 * 2) What is your vision for the future of the library and what is my role in any changes?
 * 3) How will you help me, and the faculty, integrate Gardner's Intelligences in all the assignments?
 * 4) If the present librarian is there; ask what program they developed or put a lot of time and effort into that they would want to see continued with the next person.
 * 5) What is the philosophy of the administration regarding the library?
 * 6) What are the administration's long-term goals?
 * 7) How long was previous librarian there? Why did they leave?