Preparing for Your Resource Sharing Interview: 8 Key Questions You May Be Asked

Interviewing for a resource sharing librarian role? You’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll go over some of the most common resource sharing interview questions you may encounter and provide tips on how to ace your interview.

As a resource sharing librarian, you’ll be responsible for managing interlibrary loans, document deliveries, and coordinating access to materials between libraries. Strong communication, project management, and customer service skills are must-haves for this role

During your interview, hiring managers will be evaluating your skills and assessing whether you’d be a good fit for their resource sharing team. Here are 8 questions you may be asked and how to prepare winning responses:

1. What experience do you have with interlibrary loan systems?

Resource sharing relies heavily on interlibrary loan (ILL) systems to share materials between libraries. Interviewers want to know that you have hands-on experience using major ILL platforms like OCLC WorldShare ILL, Relais ILL, Tipasa, or ILLiad.

When answering, specify the ILL systems you’ve used, your level of experience with each, and any special training you’ve received Highlight skills like importing and exporting records, custom holdings setup, report generation, and knowledge of ILL workflows Quantify your ILL transaction volumes if possible. Discussing your hands-on ILL expertise will showcase your readiness to handle resource sharing workflows.

2. How would you handle an unhappy or frustrated library user?

Resource sharing heavily involves direct user interactions. Interviewers want to know you can diplomatically deal with any issues. Share an example of successfully resolving a tricky user situation. Emphasize listening skills being empathetic and taking ownership of issues. Outline how you followed-up to ensure the patron was satisfied. You want to demonstrate excellent customer service skills.

For bonus points, discuss any training in customer service techniques, conflict resolution, or de-escalation thatprepared you to calmly handle even the most difficult interactions. Your response should illustrate that you can maintain composure and represent your library well even when users are upset.

3. What experience do you have developing policies and procedures?

In resource sharing roles, you’ll need to regularly develop and update policies and procedures like interlibrary loan guidelines, resource sharing agreements, workflow documentation, and patron instructions for requesting materials.

Discuss examples of creating policies and procedures from past library experience. What resources or best practices did you consult when developing them? How did you get stakeholder input? Highlight that you can create understandable, actionable policies and procedures. Being able to develop clear documentation is key for resource sharing.

4. How do you stay current on trends and best practices in resource sharing?

Resource sharing is constantly evolving, so continuing education is a must. Discuss professional development activities like attending conferences, webinars, workshops, trainings, and courses related to interlibrary loan, document delivery, and resource sharing.

Examples may include Rethinking Resource Sharing conferences, ALA courses, state/regional ILL meetings, OCLC Resource Sharing training, and American Library Association webinars. Reading professional blogs, listservs, publications and being active in professional associations are other good options. Demonstrate you make ongoing learning and skills development a priority.

5. Tell me about a time you successfully managed a special project with tight deadlines.

Resource sharing librarians frequently juggle special projects like launching new ILL management systems, migrating data, implementing document delivery services, negotiating sharing agreements, or rolling out ILL policy changes. Discuss a past project that showcases skills like planning, meeting deadlines, attention to detail, communication, and stakeholder engagement.

Emphasize how you created timelines, assigned tasks, provided project updates, and delivered the finished project on schedule. Examples might include a software implementation, workflow redesign, service expansion, improving turnaround times, launching a new delivery method, or updated policies. Prove you have the project management skills crucial for resource sharing initiatives.

6. How would you promote and market interlibrary loan/resource sharing services?

A key part of resource sharing roles is promoting services and resources to users. Discuss marketing tactics you would employ, like creating brochures/flyers, webpage content, social media posts, bulletin board displays, presentations, email campaigns, and events like Interlibrary Loan Day. Show you understand how to creatively get the word out to users and increase resource sharing utilization.

For extra credit, quantify past results from your marketing efforts such as increased transactions, higher web traffic, or boosted attendance at presentations. Data illustrating successful promotions will powerfully bolster your response.

7. What qualities are important for succeeding in a cooperative, team-oriented role?

Resource sharing involves extensive cooperation between libraries. Share qualities that make you an excellent team player like communication skills, flexibility, service orientation, accountability, positivity, patience, empathy, and being even-keeled. Pull relevant examples from past team experiences that demonstrate these traits in action.

Position yourself as someone who builds partnerships, forges relationships, and represents their library well while collaborating. Strong interpersonal abilities are a must for smooth cooperation, so spotlight these soft skills.

8. What questions do you have for us?

Always close interviews by asking 1-2 thoughtful questions. This demonstrates sincere interest in the role and opens a dialogue. Tailor questions based on your research of the library/university and the position’s responsibilities.

Examples include asking about challenges currently facing the resource sharing department, upcoming projects, what success looks like in the role, the work culture, opportunities for professional development, or future plans for the library’s resource sharing services. Avoid basic questions answered on the library website or in the job posting. Your questions should offer insights into the role while also making a positive last impression.

With preparation and practice, you can tackle any resource sharing interview question with confidence. Use these tips to highlight your specialized expertise in areas like interlibrary loan systems, customer service, policy development, project management, and relationship building. Leverage past experience managing and promoting resource sharing services when possible.

Show the hiring team that you have the technical know-how, soft skills, and professionalism to take on complex, collaborative resource sharing initiatives and provide excellent service. If you present yourself as a passionate, skilled resource sharing advocate who stays up-to-date and gets results, you’ll be ready to interlibrary loan your way to success!