u/strix_nebulosa_6978

Hi, I'm looking for some advice from librarians who have relocated, especially if you've moved to a more competitive job market with librarian experience under your belt.

I currently work as an Adult Services Librarian in a Florida public library system. I've been with the system for about 9 years, including 4 years as a librarian after completing my master's. My duties have included general programming, teaching technology classes, managing volunteers, coordinating outreach, serving on system-wide committees, and most recently getting a makerspace organized and running smoothly.

My partner relocated to the Orlando area recently for a new job, and I've been watching the job market for a few months and there don't seem to be many librarian openings. When they do appear, they're often youth librarian positions or part-time. I'm hoping to find something in adult services or reference but I wouldn't be opposed to an academic library.

I'm trying to decide on the best strategy and would love to hear from people who have been through something similar. And if you are in the Orlando area and have specific insights, I would love to talk privately!

Some questions I have:

1. Is it realistic to wait for an Adult Services/Reference Librarian opening that matches my experience, or do those positions tend to get filled internally before an external candidate has much of a chance?

2. Would you recommend taking an hourly Library Assistant position just to get into a system, with the hope of moving into a librarian position later? Has anyone successfully done that, or is it difficult to move back into a professional role once you've stepped down?

3. How valuable is networking when trying to relocate? If it's important, what kinds of networking actually helped you? State library associations? Conferences? Reaching out to managers?

I actually really love my current position, so I'm not looking to leave immediately or take just any job.

Thank you in advance for any words of advice!

Hi, I'm looking for some advice from librarians who have relocated, especially if you've moved to a more competitive job market with librarian experience under your belt.

I currently work as an Adult Services Librarian in a Florida public library system. I've been with the system for about 9 years, including 4 years as a librarian after completing my master's. My duties have included general programming, teaching technology classes, managing volunteers, coordinating outreach, serving on system-wide committees, and most recently getting a makerspace organized and running smoothly.

My partner relocated to the Orlando area recently for a new job, and I've been watching the job market for a few months and there don't seem to be many librarian openings. When they do appear, they're often youth librarian positions or part-time. I'm hoping to find something in adult services or reference but I wouldn't be opposed to an academic library.

I'm trying to decide on the best strategy and would love to hear from people who have been through something similar. And if you are in the Orlando area and have specific insights, I would love to talk privately!

Some questions I have:

1. Is it realistic to wait for an Adult Services/Reference Librarian opening that matches my experience, or do those positions tend to get filled internally before an external candidate has much of a chance?

2. Would you recommend taking an hourly Library Assistant position just to get into a system, with the hope of moving into a librarian position later? Has anyone successfully done that, or is it difficult to move back into a professional role once you've stepped down?

3. How valuable is networking when trying to relocate? If it's important, what kinds of networking actually helped you? State library associations? Conferences? Reaching out to managers?

I actually really love my current position, so I'm not looking to leave immediately or take just any job.

Thank you in advance for any words of advice!