Acquisitions Librarian Mock Interview

17 Acquisitions Librarian Interview Questions with 45+ User Answer Examples

1. 1.

   Why do you want a career as an acquisitions librarian?

   User-Submitted Answers

   1. Be part of the development and innovative section.
   2. I enjoy curating a collection that supports the community; I am interested in current trends in literature and popular culture, and I am adept at anticipating the needs and interests of readers.
   3. I think its a challenging department to work in that still serves the community. I am attracted to the business environment and would like to have this type experience to build my knowledge about collection development.

2. 2.

   What major challenges and problems did you face at your last position?

   User-Submitted Answers

   1. Since I am still fairly new I was still face with the challenge of being able to answer really in depth reference questions.
   2. The high volume of students to assist working alone.
   3. Making use of limited budget funds to serve the diverse needs and collection interests of our community; helping staff remain united and motivated in a period of extraordinary and fast-paced change.
   4. Being part time the major challenge has been accomplishing a full time job on part time hours. I actually planned several programs and brought them with me when I started the position so I would have some extra time to adjust. I then learned how to best organize myself and the time I had available to accomplish my professional duties.

3. 3.

   Why should we hire you?

   User-Submitted Answers

   1. I have experience working in the library im a commited person and hard worker ill woill do my almost best to complete the tasks.
   2. I am a loyal and hardworking asset, and I possess a great deal of experience in this field. I am adaptable and a fast learner, and can work in both teams and individually. I believe in this Library and the community it serves, and will help our Library achieve its goals.
   3. I believe I would be a great asset to the department due to my enthusiasms and work ethic. I have a true interest in contributing to the acquisitions department.
   4. I hve a strong educational background, an important experience and a good communication skills.

4. 4.

   Are you happy with your career as an acquisitions librarian?

   User-Submitted Answers

   1. Yes! It's endlessly fascinating.
   2. Yes, I am very happy but I want to expand and be exposed to more of the business environment of the library.
   3. Yes im very happy I will enjoy working in acquistion.

5. 5.

   What was the last book you read for fun?

   User-Submitted Answers

   1. "The Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline.
   2. Currently I am reading the Shadow by Sylvain Reynard due to a book display I made.

6. 6.

   What makes you uncomfortable?

   User-Submitted Answers

   1. When people around me are unhappy.
   2. Extreme anger does make me uncomfortable, I work better with calm correction or criticism.

7. 7.

   How well do you work with people?

   User-Submitted Answers

   1. I work well with people since I am a good team player and I respect all people.
   2. I am a team player, I like working with people very much.
   3. Extraordinarily well--I enjoy working with teams, and helping to foster an environment that is dynamic and productive and feeds off of the creative energies of the participants.
   4. I work very well with people and have been lucky to work with a great staff at the Norwood branch. We socialize outside of work and I believe we had built a good team.

8. 8.

   What three words would you use to describe yourself?

   User-Submitted Answers

   1. Loyal, compassionate, adaptable.
   2. Enthusiastic, practical, and dependable.
   3. Loyal dependable efficient.

9. 9.

   What individual has had the greatest influence on you?

   User-Submitted Answers

   1. My mother she was ver creative, strong and love God.
   2. My first library director.
   3. My father because he was such a hard worker and very supportive of my career ambitions.

10. 10.

    What is your philosophy towards work?

    User-Submitted Answers

    1. Do the work well, and take pride in it, and help your colleagues if they need it.
    2. My philosophy towards work is to focus on the big picture. I have daily and weekly accomplishments I set for myself and I do not focus on negative complications.

11. 11.

    What makes you passionate about being an Acquisitions Librarian?

    User-Submitted Answers

    1. Seeing the community enjoy the materials our Library brings to them.

12. 12.

    What do you feel is the most important skill an acquisitions librarian should possess?

    User-Submitted Answers

    1. The ability to work under pressure is one important skill. I have experience of this in my latest role when customers come in whilst the phone rings and a queue starts to form.
    2. Knowledge of the community.
    3. I believe the most important skill is attention to detail and organization skills since you can have many contracts happening at once.
    4. Knowledge of the books they need to acquire. Many librarians are given various subjects to purchase books and it's extremely important to know what is available, what is popular, what is current and what is consistently needed for both the open collection/circulating collection as well as the reference section.
    5. Acquisitions best practices.

13. 13.

    Have you purchased books for the library before?

    User-Submitted Answers

    1. I have not purchased books before direct but I have worked with the department to purchase several copies of a book from a local author. I have also selected many books professionally for bookclubs and reader's advisory.

14. 14.

    How often do you read reports on what books are most popular at your library?

    User-Submitted Answers

    1. I regularly read scholarly publications like School Library Journal to keep up with children's and teen trends.
    2. Our libraries will receive reports perhaps once a month on which books are most popular at any library. The reports can be a bit challenging for our systems library which is why they are only printed once a month. However, while creating Research guides, it was vital that I know which items were the most popular so that I could add them to the research guide as well as research similar items in an attempt to acquire them for the library.
    3. I read the Issue the latest bestseller posters are displayed there. I also try to keep abreast of new and upcoming titles to deal with enquiries efficiently.

15. 15.

    When have you given suggestions on what books an Acquisitions Librarian should purchase? Did they follow through on your suggestion?

    User-Submitted Answers

    1. While working at Methodist University I regularly gave suggestions for recommended reading.
    2. I get book selections often and they are usually from library patrons, whether it's at an academic or public library. Patrons will request books that they have heard of or seen in a book store or even adverised on television and want our library to acquire it. Faculty will suggest books for use in accordance with their course curriculum.

16. 16.

    Are you comfortable negotiating with vendors?

    User-Submitted Answers

    1. Yes I have previous experience of this and built up long term relationships with publishing houses. I had to negotiate with publishers about rising subscription fees and transportation costs.
    2. Yes, I have previous experience in a business environment where I worked with vendors.
    3. Yes, I believe so. I have not had to negotiate with vendors before but I know how to research book prices as well as compare prices of various vendors. Many vendors are more than happy to offer discounts based on the company's history of purchasing and future orders such as standing orders.

17. 17.

    What type of orders does your library generally use when purchasing new materials?

    User-Submitted Answers

    1. The library uses Sierra based on popular request.