17 Digital Librarian Interview Questions and Answers

Libraries are evolving, and the role of the digital librarian is becoming increasingly important in order to manage and organize the ever-growing volume of digital resources. If you want to work as a digital librarian, you’ll need to be able to answer common interview questions related to this position.

In this guide, you’ll find several digital librarian interview questions and answers, including questions about managing digital resources and organizing information. You’ll also learn about the skills and qualities that employers look for in digital librarians.

Are you comfortable working with a variety of digital tools and databases?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine if you have experience working with a variety of digital tools and databases. Use your answer to highlight any specific skills or experiences that make you qualified for the role.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with a variety of digital tools and databases because I’ve done it in my previous roles. In my last position, I worked as a digital librarian where I was responsible for managing our library’s online resources, including e-books, journals and other research materials. I also helped students find relevant information by using various search engines and databases.”

What are some of the most important skills for a digital librarian?

Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills necessary for the job. They want someone who is organized, detail-oriented and tech savvy. When answering this question, list some of your most important skills that relate to the position.

Example: “I think one of the most important skills for a digital librarian is being tech savvy. I am constantly learning new things about technology, so I can help my students learn how to use it as well. Another skill is organization. As a digital librarian, I need to keep track of many different types of information. Being organized helps me stay on top of everything.”

How do you stay up-to-date on the latest trends in digital librarianship?

Employers want to know that you are committed to your career and have a passion for learning. They also want to see that you can adapt to new technologies as they become available. Show them how you stay on top of trends in the digital library field by describing some of the ways you learn about new developments.

Example: “I am passionate about my work, so I always try to find time to read up on the latest news and research in my field. I subscribe to several newsletters and blogs that provide information on the newest technology and best practices for using it. I also attend conferences and webinars where experts share their knowledge with others.”

What is your experience with creating and managing digital asset management systems?

Digital asset management systems are a common tool used by digital librarians to organize and store information. This question helps the interviewer assess your experience with this type of system and how you might use it in their organization. Use examples from previous work experiences to highlight your skills and abilities with managing digital assets.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for organizing all digital files within our organization’s digital asset management system. I created folders based on departmental needs and assigned users to groups so they could access the appropriate documents. I also helped train other employees on using the system to find specific types of files.”

Provide an example of a time when you helped a patron find the information they were looking for.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills and how you interact with patrons. They want to know that you can help people find the information they need, but also that you are able to do so in a friendly way. In your answer, try to describe what steps you took to help the patron find the information they were looking for and why those steps were helpful.

Example: “At my previous library, I had a patron who was looking for information on a specific type of snake. The patron knew some basic facts about the snake, like its color and habitat, but wasn’t sure exactly what kind of snake it was. I asked the patron questions about the snake to narrow down which snakes we could search for. Then, I used our online catalog to look up all the snakes that matched the description the patron gave me. We found several matches, and the patron was happy when I helped them figure out which snake they were looking for.”

If you could only use three digital tools for the rest of your career, what would they be?

This question is a great way to see how well you know the digital tools in your field. It also shows which ones are most important to you and why. When answering this question, be sure to include only the tools that you have experience using.

Example: “If I could use just three digital tools for the rest of my career, I would choose Zotero, Mendeley and EndNote. These tools allow me to organize research, collaborate with other researchers and cite sources properly. They’re all very useful in my current role as a digital librarian.”

What would you do if you discovered that a database you created had a bug that prevented patrons from being able to search for specific terms?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would respond to a challenging situation. Your answer should show that you are willing to take responsibility for your work and have the problem-solving skills needed to fix it.

Example: “If I discovered this bug, I would first try to find out what caused it. If I was unable to figure out why it happened, I would immediately contact my supervisor so they could help me solve the issue. Once we figured out what went wrong, I would create a new database with all of the information from the old one. This way, patrons would still be able to access the information they need.”

How well do you handle criticism?

As a digital librarian, you may need to make recommendations or suggestions to your colleagues. Employers ask this question to see if you can accept feedback and use it to improve your work. In your answer, explain that you are open to receiving criticism and how you use it to grow as a professional. Share an example of a time when someone gave you constructive criticism and how you used their advice to change for the better.

Example: “I am always willing to receive feedback on my work. I know that everyone has different opinions and experiences, so I try to listen to what others have to say. When someone gives me feedback, I take some time to think about their comments before deciding how to apply them. For instance, at my last job, I noticed that many students were having trouble finding our library’s online resources. I suggested we add links to these resources from our course pages, which my manager approved.”

Do you have experience working with patrons who are visually impaired or who have other disabilities that impact their ability to access digital information?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your experience working with patrons who have disabilities and how you handled those situations. Use examples from previous work experiences to highlight your ability to provide assistance to patrons of all abilities, including those with visual impairments or other disabilities that impact their access to digital information.

Example: “In my last role as a digital librarian, I worked with several patrons who had disabilities that impacted their ability to use computers or search for information online. For example, one patron was blind and used a screen reader to navigate the library’s website. Another patron had limited mobility in her hands and couldn’t type on a keyboard. In both cases, I helped these patrons find alternative ways to access the library’s resources.”

When is it appropriate to recommend physical copies of digital content instead of links?

This question can help interviewers understand your knowledge of digital content and how you use it. Use examples from previous experience to show that you know when physical copies are more appropriate than links.

Example: “I recommend physical copies over links whenever possible because links can expire or change, which means the information is no longer accurate. In my last role, I was helping a student find an article about the history of the solar system. The student wanted to print out the entire article so they could study it for their test. However, the only link available was to a website where the original author had posted the article. I searched through several databases until I found the full text in a PDF file.”

We want to increase our digital presence on social media. What platforms would you recommend we start using?

Social media is a great way to increase your digital presence and connect with the public. Employers want to know that you understand how social media works and can help them create an effective online strategy. In your answer, explain which platforms you would recommend for their library and why.

Example: “I think it’s important to have a strong presence on all major social media sites. I would start by creating accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. These are some of the most popular social media sites right now, so they’re good places to start connecting with the public. You should also consider starting a blog or website where people can learn more about what your library has to offer.”

Describe your process for organizing digital content.

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your organizational skills and how well you can apply them to a digital environment. Your answer should include details about the steps you take when organizing content, including any tools or applications you use for the process.

Example: “I start by identifying what type of content I’m organizing. For example, if it’s an article, I’ll save it to my bookmarks folder so that I can access it later. If it’s a webpage, I’ll bookmark it as well. Then, I’ll organize all of these links into folders within my browser. Finally, I’ll back up all of my saved information in case something happens to my computer.”

What makes you stand out from other digital librarians?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your background and experience. They want to know what makes you unique from other candidates applying for the same position. Use your answer to highlight a skill or trait that sets you apart from others. You can also share an example of how you used that skill in your previous role.

Example: “I have been working as a digital librarian for five years, so I am very familiar with the job duties. However, my favorite part of the job is helping students find resources they need to complete their assignments. For instance, last semester one student came to me asking for help finding information on the history of the solar system. I was able to use my research skills to locate several websites that provided her with all the information she needed.”

Which digital tools do you recommend for patrons who are just starting to learn how to conduct research online?

This question can help interviewers understand your knowledge of digital tools and how you can use them to help patrons. Use examples from previous experience in which you helped a patron learn how to conduct research online or used digital tools to complete a task.

Example: “I recommend starting with search engines like Google, Bing and Yahoo because they are free and easy to use. I also suggest using social media sites like Facebook and Twitter for searching information about current events and trending topics. For more specific searches, I encourage my patrons to try niche search engines like DuckDuckGo and Blekko.”

What do you think is the most important role that digital librarians play in an organization?

This question can help interviewers understand your perspective on the role of a digital librarian. It also helps them determine whether you have an understanding of what is expected of this position. When answering, it can be helpful to highlight some of the responsibilities that are unique to digital librarians and how they benefit organizations.

Example: “I believe the most important role that digital librarians play in an organization is helping others find information more efficiently. This is because I think it’s essential for people to be able to access the information they need as quickly as possible. As a digital librarian, I’ve helped many colleagues find the information they needed when they were working on projects or assignments. I enjoy being able to provide this service to my coworkers.”

How often do you update digital databases?

This question can help interviewers understand your experience with digital databases and how often you update them. Use examples from past projects to explain the frequency of updates and how you completed them.

Example: “I usually update digital databases once a month, but I have also done it weekly or even daily depending on the project’s needs. For my last employer, I updated our database monthly for the library catalog and quarterly for the online magazine archives. The reason for this was that we had more frequent changes in the magazine archive than the library catalog.”

There is a bug in a digital tool you created. How do you handle this situation?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle mistakes and challenges. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, ability to learn quickly and commitment to excellence.

Example: “If there is a bug in one of my digital tools, I first try to replicate the issue myself to see if I can fix it. If I am unable to do so, I will contact the person who requested the tool or the team that hired me to let them know about the issue. Then, I will work with them to find a solution. In some cases, this may mean removing the tool from circulation until I can update it. In others, it may be as simple as updating the code.”