Sample interview questions: What motivated you to pursue a career in special collections librarianship?
Sample answer:
I was motivated to pursue a career in special collections librarianship due to my passion for preserving and promoting unique and rare materials that hold significant historical, cultural, or scholarly value. Special collections offer a distinctive opportunity to work with materials that are often irreplaceable and contribute to the overall preservation of our collective knowledge.
One of the main factors that attracted me to this career path is the chance to engage with a wide range of materials that are not typically found in general library collections. Special collections often include rare books, manuscripts, archival materials, maps, photographs, and other unique items that require specialized care and attention. The prospect of working with these materials and being responsible for their preservation and accessibility was incredibly appealing to me.
Additionally, the opportunity to work closely with researchers, scholars, and the local community was a significant motivating factor. Special collections librarians play a crucial role in facilitating access to these unique materials, supporting research inquiries, and providing assistance to visitors looking to explore and utilize the collections. The potential to contribute to someone’s research or help them discover something new and exciting is genuinely fulfilling.
Furthermore, being a special collections librarian allows me to be part of a community of professionals who share similar interests and passions. The collaboration and exchange of knowledge within this specialized field are invaluable, and I am excited about the opportunity to learn from and contribute to this community.<... Read full answer
Source: https://hireabo.com/job/18_0_6/Special%20Collections%20Librarian