Overqualified: Changing the Culture of Hiring Practices in a Public Library Special Collections Department |
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| Authors: | Eddie Woodward |
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| Institution: | 1. Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, USAeddie.woodward@lva.virginia.gov |
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| Abstract: | All too often, applicants for low level paraprofessional positions in libraries are passed over or rejected, not because they are not qualified, but because they have professional experience or advanced degrees. The rationale behind these decisions is that the overqualified staff member in a low level position will continue to look for a better position more aligned with their skills, experience, and education; and when they find another job they will leave and their positions will have to be filled again. This essay argues that this reasoning is flawed and, regardless of the perceived inconvenience, library managers and administrators should want the best and the brightest working in all levels of their library. |
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| Keywords: | Education professional education special collections staff development staffing students training |
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