School Librarian Interview Questions

Murphy: Thank you so much for speaking with me today. I am excited for this interview with you.
Lewis: It is my pleasure! I am so glad to help you out. Like I always say, the media specialist position is the
best one in the county!
Murphy: Alright, let’s get started.

 Why did you choose to pursue a degree to become a media specialist/school librarian? Where did you

receive your training? What was your experience like?

o I chose to pursue a media specialist degree from Valdosta State University because I wanted to

get into a school library setting. I wanted to do more after being an English Language Arts

teacher in middle school for 20 plus years.

o I got my degree from Valdosta State University. My experience was great. I enjoyed every

minute of it.

 How do you go about determining the collection needs of your library?

o In this library, our collection needs are determined by input from students and teachers. I look for

high interest books as well as high interest, lower Lexiles. We have a lot of graphic novels in our

library now!

 What is your background with technology?

o I have learned my technology on the job. I have attended trainings that our district provides for

many different technologies.

 How do you see the role of the library in the overall reading program of the school?
o In middle school, the reading program is controlled by the curriculum and PLCs. I try to help as

much as I can. I am available to teachers whenever they need me. I love to plan with them if they

want to “team teach” with me.

 What do you enjoy reading? About how much do you read each week or month?
o I love historical fiction. I don’t get to read as much as I would like unless it is over a break.

 What is your experience in leading professional development? What is your role in leading technology

related professional development?

o I do not get to lead professional developments. I send out information whenever I can as well as

talk to teachers one-on-one about new things or ideas. have instructional technology staff that is

in charge of the instructional technology side of things.

 Do you have certifications or skills which would be an asset to the school community?
o I helped to come up with the Books on Blankets that we have been doing the last couple of years

with our zone librarians. Students are invited to come hang out with us and read books on

blankets outside.

 How do you ensure your own continued professional growth?

o I go to trainings as well as read some professional development books. I have also been to many

conferences including the GAETC conference in years past. I do a lot of research on new trends

and high interest books.

 How can librarians promote and encourage professional reading among the faculty?
o I like to talk to teachers on a one-to-one basis. I also email the teachers as well giving them

information on things that are coming up. I pop into classrooms from time to time to see if

teachers need anything from me.

 What are some of the ways you encourage reluctant teachers to utilize the library?
o Again, talking to them one-on-one and emailing. Our library is always open, and I encourage

teachers to come by any time or to email me with any questions or concerns.

 What is your experience with adolescent literacy?

o Being an English Language Arts teacher for as long as I taught, I learned a lot especially with

middle school students.

 What can the school librarian do to help struggling readers?

o High interest, low Lexile level books like graphic novels. The graphic novels do not look like

they would be a lower-level Lexile. I like to talk to them about their likes and dislikes. I do not

read aloud like I used to do. Students come in every two weeks to check out new books, so I am

available to help them find books as needed.

 Would you say that the school librarian position is an administrator, a teacher, or both?
o I feel like a teacher most of the time. I do not want to get into an administrator role. There are

times that administration needs me as an administrator type person, but it is not often.

 As a school librarian, what are your expectations of the school administration regarding the library

program?
 o Our administration has been great. They let me do what I need to do for the media center. It has

been working great since I came here from my previous school.

 Describe the role that the “library aide” or “para pro” plays in the day-to-day operations of the school

library?
o In our district, we do not have library aides or para pros. Before COVID, I would ask for parent

volunteers to help around the library which helped a lot around here.

 Are your books cataloged and shelved according to genre?

o They are not. That is something that I would like to look in to, but there is no time right now.

 What role do you see school libraries and school librarians playing in the future?
o In the future, I think school libraries and librarians will change. They are already changing from

what we used to know to places now where you might have a Makerspace, or the librarian might

not actually look or act like a librarian. It also depends on the school’s administration.