1. Help for busy supervisors

2.  How to choose the best applicants
 What to ask during the interviews
 The importance of testing
 How to decide who to hire

3.  You find out they have poor grasp of the alphabet
 They quit after two hours because their back is
killing them
 They tell you they can’t work weekends after all
and is that ok?

4.  Minimum age
 Alphabet and number skills
 Eye for detail
 Fit enough
 Can take instructions willingly
 Works well with others

5.  Can you read the writing?
 Did they fill out the whole form?
 Can they write a sentence?
 Does their employment history look ok?
 Do they have additional skills?

6.  I love libraries
 I have always wanted to work in a library
 I have daytime classes but can work evenings
 I can fit library hours around my other job
 I can work while my children are in school
 I’m a retiree and can work anytime

7.  I have to get a job
 My Dad says I have to get a job
 I need money
 I have bills to pay

8.  The application form
 A list of interview questions
 A copy of written shelving test
 An evaluation sheet
 A note pad and extra pencils

9.  Applicant’s name and the date
 Under child labor laws you must be 16 to work
past 7:00 p.m. during the school year. Are you 16?
If not when will you be?
 This is an evening and weekend job. Which hours
could you work during that time frame?
 Could you work those hours the whole school
year?
 Would you be willing to work evenings and
weekends in the summer?

10.  Tell me about a time when you showed how
reliable you can be
 How would you rate yourself on attendance and
punctuality?
 Could you work 24 hours within a two week pay
period and schedule yourself to have no more that
three days between workdays?
 Shelvers must be able to push heavy carts and to
stretch and bend to reach high or low shelves. Do
you think you can meet these requirements?

11.  What would you do if a patron came and grabbed
an armful of books that you had just put away and
then sat on the floor with them
 What would you do if a patron complained to you
about library services or material?
 Why did you apply for job with this library?
 Do you like to read? What are you reading now?
 Do you use this library?
 What did you like or dislike about your previous
job?

12.  Pay
 Hours
 Let them know that libraries are busy places
 Ask them if they have any question about the job
or the library

13. To find the best
You must always test

14. When the following names are put in alphabetical
order which one will come second?
1. Marshall, Charles
2. Marshall, John
3. Marshall, Thomas Riley
4. Marshall, George Catlett
5. Marshall, James Wilson

15. If you arrange this group of numbers in order
(starting with the lowest) which one will come third?
1. 870.5421
2. 870.5521
3. 860.5924
4. 870.5923
5. 870.5663

16. Name: Paige Booker Date: March 1 2013
Written test score in acceptable range?
Practical test score in acceptable range?
On time for interview?
Hours/flexibility confirmed by candidate?
Physical requirements – positive response?
Communication skills demonstrated?

17.  Did they follow your instructions about the written and
practical tests and did they complete both of them?
 How many errors can you overlook?
 How many points will you deduct for errors?

18.  Shows that a candidate is reliable
 Shows they are serious about applying for the job
 Suggests that they want to make a good
impression on you
 Were they able to give an example of reliable
behavior in the past

19.  Check their answers to all those questions you
asked about working hours
 Can the come in at the hours you want?
 Can they do it all year round?

20.  Did they give confident answers to your questions
about abilities?
 Did they seem daunted when you spoke about all
the pushing, bending and stretching they would be
required to do?

21.  Check your notes on the question sheet
 Did they give you clear and thoughtful answers?
 Did they maintain eye contact and smile?
 Did they follow your instructions for the tests?
 Did they ask any questions about the job?

22.  Were they clean and tidy?
 Any objectionable words on their clothing?
 Were any body parts showing that are normally
covered in a workplace?
 Willing to comply with library dress code?

23.  Test results
 Question sheet with your notes
 Interview Summary Sheet

24.  Can you work with this person?
 Are they a good fit for your team?
 Can you make an accommodation for someone
who may need extra help to succeed?
 How well does your staff reflect your community?

25.  Call your first choice and ask them again if they
can work the hours you need
 Mention the specific hours in their appointment
letter
 Write a short letter to all the people you are not
hiring and thank them for being interested

26. Patricia Tunstall
Indian Trails Public Library
355 Schoenbeck Road
Wheeling IL 60090
ptunstall@indiantrailslibrary.org