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How to Become a Traveling Librarian: Tips, Advice & Reasons to Go...
Do you have a yen to see the world? Experience other cultures? Perhaps your career needs a recharge? Would you like to feel you are making a difference? Do you believe that libraries are key cultural institutions, as necessary as food and health care? When you read this, is your heart rate picking up? Are you ignoring your coffee and cheese danish? (Well, that might be too much to ask…).
These are all excellent reasons to consider going international: for a short-term volunteer stint, an exchange, a two-year contract, or a lifetime career. According to the American Library Association (ALA) member list, there are currently 500+ American librarians employed outside of the United States. There are always positions listed on the library jobs sites, and at least 85 school librarians are recruited annually through agencies.
As an international librarian with 14 years’ experience in nine different countries, Sarah P. has spent the majority of her career watching the market and living the expatriate life (expat for short) as well as answering questions from other librarians who would like to try it. In this era of knowledge at our fingertips, information about international librarianship should be easy to locate. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Most of what can be found is in the form of academic papers from organizations which support international cooperation and librarianship and a few sporadic articles and outdated webpages. Though interesting to read, it is not practical information such as current opportunities, employee reviews, or advice on how to obtain a position. Which is why Sarah has written this book. Her goal is to share her in-depth knowledge about international library work and also to encourage other librarians to try it!
For more information about Sarah P. and for current international library job listings please visit her blog The Traveling Librarian (http://sarahpgibson.wordpress.com and her website (http://www.sarahpgibson.com/index.php...).
These are all excellent reasons to consider going international: for a short-term volunteer stint, an exchange, a two-year contract, or a lifetime career. According to the American Library Association (ALA) member list, there are currently 500+ American librarians employed outside of the United States. There are always positions listed on the library jobs sites, and at least 85 school librarians are recruited annually through agencies.
As an international librarian with 14 years’ experience in nine different countries, Sarah P. has spent the majority of her career watching the market and living the expatriate life (expat for short) as well as answering questions from other librarians who would like to try it. In this era of knowledge at our fingertips, information about international librarianship should be easy to locate. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Most of what can be found is in the form of academic papers from organizations which support international cooperation and librarianship and a few sporadic articles and outdated webpages. Though interesting to read, it is not practical information such as current opportunities, employee reviews, or advice on how to obtain a position. Which is why Sarah has written this book. Her goal is to share her in-depth knowledge about international library work and also to encourage other librarians to try it!
For more information about Sarah P. and for current international library job listings please visit her blog The Traveling Librarian (http://sarahpgibson.wordpress.com and her website (http://www.sarahpgibson.com/index.php...).
94 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 24, 2014
9 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Sarah P. Gibson
6 books2 followersSarah P. Gibson is a librarian and a traveler in addition to being a writer. Actually, she calls herself a storymaker because she loves stories in all forms. Reading is one of her top choices but she also loves stories in live action form and has enjoyed sharing storytelling in various places, from campfires in Saudi Arabia to library basements in Maine...
To learn more about Sarah please visit www.sarahpgibson.com and for librarians and teachers interested in international work and travel please read my blog, The Traveling Librarian (http://sarahpgibson.wordpress.com).
From Amazon.
To learn more about Sarah please visit www.sarahpgibson.com and for librarians and teachers interested in international work and travel please read my blog, The Traveling Librarian (http://sarahpgibson.wordpress.com).
From Amazon.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 5, 2020
Solid information considering it is the only one of its kind. Wouldn't necessarily recommend for people who aren't librarians or don't plan on getting an MLIS in the future. Also, this book is weirdly not proofread and it has minor grammatical errors. I don't think it takes away from its ethos--it is what it is and it is a very niche book.
March 7, 2015
An informative well thought out book. If you are a librarian and looking into having a career overseas this is a great place to start. I read Sarah's blog a few years ago and it inspired me to become an International School Librarian. I'm currently living and working in China in an International School and am loving my new career abroad.
January 6, 2017
This is probably as comprehensive a review of international library jobs and how to apply for them as you will find. Unfortunately it is highly weighted towards school library jobs since that is where the majority of the jobs are. It also looks like the opportunities are better for new graduates and mid-career librarians. Still, it was interesting to see the possibilities out there.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews