17 Circulation Manager Interview Questions and Answers

It’s no secret that the publishing industry is in a state of flux. But one area that remains a constant is the need for qualified circulation managers. These professionals are responsible for ensuring that magazines, newspapers, and other periodicals reach their target audiences. They also manage the financials of circulation and work to increase readership and advertising revenue.

If you’re looking to enter this field, you’ll need to be prepared to answer some tough questions in your interview. But don’t worry—we’re here to help. This guide provides sample questions and answers that you can use to help you prepare for your interview.

Are you comfortable working with a team of people to accomplish your goals?

Circulation managers often work with a team of people to achieve their goals. Employers ask this question to make sure you are comfortable working in a collaborative environment. Use your answer to explain that you enjoy collaborating with others and developing relationships with your coworkers. Explain how these skills help you be successful as a circulation manager.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with a team of people to accomplish my goals. In fact, I find it quite enjoyable. Collaborating with others helps me learn new ideas and perspectives. It also allows me to develop strong relationships with the other members of my team. These relationships allow us to communicate more effectively and support each other when we need it.”

What are some of the most important skills for a circulation manager to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. Use your answer to highlight some of the most important skills for circulation managers and explain why they are so important.

Example: “The two most important skills for a circulation manager are communication and organization. These skills allow me to effectively communicate with my team members and organize all of our circulation processes, which helps us meet our goals. Another skill that is crucial for circulation managers is problem-solving. This skill allows me to solve any issues that may arise during my workday.”

How would you deal with a situation where a patron is being disruptive or disrespectful?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your conflict resolution skills. They want to see that you can remain calm and respectful when dealing with challenging patrons, even if they are being disrespectful or disruptive. In your answer, try to show the interviewer that you have good interpersonal skills and can resolve conflicts in a positive way.

Example: “I would first calmly explain to them why their behavior is inappropriate and how it’s affecting other patrons. If they continue to be disruptive after I’ve spoken with them, I would call security to remove them from the library. I always want to make sure that all of our patrons feel safe and comfortable while visiting the library.”

What is your experience with managing budgets and financial records?

Circulation managers are responsible for managing budgets and financial records. This question allows the interviewer to assess your experience with budgeting, accounting software and other financial management tools. Use examples from your previous job to highlight your skills in this area.

Example: “In my last position as circulation manager, I was responsible for maintaining accurate financial records of all circulation transactions. I used a library database system that allowed me to track circulation statistics such as check-out times, overdue fines and returned items. I also monitored our budget by using an online budgeting tool that helped me create monthly spending reports. These reports helped me identify areas where we could save money.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to make a difficult decision.

Circulation managers often have to make difficult decisions, such as which books to keep and which ones to remove from the library. This question helps employers understand how you approach making tough choices. In your answer, explain what factors you considered when making this decision and what steps you took to ensure it was a positive outcome for everyone involved.

Example: “When I first started working in libraries, I noticed that we had several copies of some popular children’s books. I decided to take all but one copy of each book out of circulation so that only one person could check it out at a time. This helped us save space while still allowing patrons access to their favorite books.”

If a new library branch was opening and you had the opportunity to hire your own staff, who would you choose and why?

This question is a great way to show your leadership skills and how you would choose the best people for the job. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list out several qualities that are important in circulation managers and describe why those particular qualities make someone a good candidate.

Example: “I would hire someone who has experience working with patrons of all ages and abilities. I think it’s important to have staff members who understand what it’s like to work in a library setting and know how to interact with customers. I would also look for someone who is organized and detail-oriented because these traits are essential for managing the circulation desk.”

What would you do if you noticed a high number of overdue items in the circulation department?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle challenges and make decisions. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, ability to work under pressure and commitment to customer service.

Example: “If I noticed a high number of overdue items in my department, I would first try to find out why this is happening. If it’s because patrons are not returning their materials on time, I would speak with them about our library’s policies regarding late returns. If there are no issues with patron behavior, I would look at other factors that could be contributing to the issue, such as staff performance or equipment problems. Once I have identified all possible causes for the issue, I would develop a plan to address each cause.”

How well do you understand copyright laws and their application to library materials?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of copyright law and how you apply it in the library. Use examples from your experience to show that you understand the laws and can use them to benefit patrons.

Example: “I have a bachelor’s degree in library science, so I am well-versed in copyright law. In my current role as circulation manager, I regularly help patrons find materials they want to read or view. If I see a book that is out of print but available online, for example, I will direct the patron to the website where they can access the material. This helps me provide resources to patrons while also following copyright law.”

Do you have experience working with digital catalogs and databases?

The circulation manager is responsible for managing the library’s digital catalog and database. The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with these systems. If you have experience working with them, share what you’ve done in the past. If you don’t have experience, explain that you’re willing to learn how to use them.

Example: “I worked as a librarian at my local public library for five years. During that time, we implemented a new digital catalog system. I was one of two people who helped train staff on using it. We also started using a new database management system during that time. I helped create some of the initial reports within the system.”

When is the best time to have a conversation with a disruptive or upset patron?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your conflict resolution skills. They want to know that you can handle difficult situations with tact and discretion. In your answer, try to highlight your ability to remain calm in tense situations.

Example: “I think it’s best to have a conversation with an upset patron as soon as possible. If I wait too long, they might become even more agitated or disruptive. When I notice a patron is upset, I immediately approach them and apologize for the inconvenience. Then, I listen carefully to what they are saying and do my best to resolve their issue. If I am unable to solve the problem right away, I offer to help them find someone who can.”

We want to improve our customer service and increase circulation rates. Describe a strategy you would use to achieve these goals.

Customer service is an important aspect of circulation. Interviewers ask this question to see if you have a plan for improving customer satisfaction and increasing circulation rates. In your answer, explain how you would implement the strategy and what steps you would take to achieve these goals.

Example: “I would start by implementing a new system that makes it easier for customers to find books they want to check out. I would also make sure all employees are trained on the new system so they can help customers who need assistance with finding books or other resources. Next, I would hire more staff members to reduce wait times at the library. Finally, I would create a rewards program where customers earn points for checking out books and using the library’s online resources.”

Describe your experience with library management software.

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with library management software and how you use it. Use examples from your previous job to show that you’re familiar with using this type of software.

Example: “I’ve used library management software in my last two jobs, where I helped implement the software into our libraries. In my first position, we were looking for a way to better manage circulation statistics and other data about our patrons’ usage of the library. We decided to try out library management software, which was easy to install and allowed us to track patron information more efficiently.

In my second position, I worked with an IT specialist to integrate library management software into our existing system. This process took some time but eventually led to improved circulation tracking.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their library. To answer this question, think of a few things that make you unique from other candidates. You could highlight any special skills or experiences that relate to the job description.

Example: “I have been working in libraries for over 10 years now, so I am familiar with many aspects of circulation management. However, my favorite part of being a librarian is helping patrons find books they love. In fact, I once helped a patron find a book that changed her life. This experience made me realize that I want to help others discover new books and authors. I believe that my passion for connecting people with books makes me an excellent candidate for this position.”

Which library management systems have you used in the past?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with library management systems. If you have used a specific system in the past, share what you liked about it and how it helped you do your job more efficiently. If you haven’t worked with a library management system before, explain that you are open to learning new software if hired for this position.

Example: “I’ve worked with LibraryThing and Evergreen in the past. I like LibraryThing because of its user-friendly interface and helpful features. For example, I find the tagging feature useful when trying to organize my work. With Evergreen, I appreciate the ability to customize reports and create customized databases.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of customer service?

Customer service is an important part of circulation management. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand the importance of customer service and how it relates to circulation management. In your answer, explain what you think makes for good customer service and why it’s important in a library setting.

Example: “I believe that empathy is the most important aspect of customer service. When I’m helping someone find a book or get their library card, I try to put myself in their shoes. If I were looking for a specific book, I would want someone who was patient with me and helped me figure out where to look. By putting myself in my customers’ positions, I can better help them.”

How often should library materials be renewed?

This question can help the interviewer assess your knowledge of circulation policies and procedures. It can also show how you apply that knowledge to make decisions about renewing library materials. In your answer, try to demonstrate your understanding of the importance of maintaining a collection of materials for patrons to use.

Example: “I believe it’s important to maintain a large selection of books, movies and other media for patrons to check out. I would renew items as soon as they are due so we have enough copies available for everyone who wants to read or watch them. If there is only one copy left in the system, I may extend the renewal period by a few days to ensure no one else has immediate access to it.”

There is a high turnover rate among your staff. What would you do to improve morale and retain employees?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your leadership skills and how you would motivate employees. Your answer should include a specific example of how you motivated staff members in the past, or how you plan to do so if you have not managed others before.

Example: “I recently worked at a library where there was high turnover among the circulation desk staff. I noticed that many of the employees left because they felt undervalued by management. To improve morale, I scheduled monthly meetings with each department head to discuss their goals for the month and ways we could work together to meet them. This helped me learn more about my team’s strengths and weaknesses, which allowed me to delegate tasks more effectively.”