17 Research Librarian Interview Questions and Answers

Libraries have been around for centuries, and the need for skilled research librarians has never been greater. With the advent of the Internet and digital age, the role of the research librarian has evolved to meet the needs of the information seeker.

In order to be successful in the role of research librarian, you need to be able to navigate the complex waters of information seeking. From locating the right information and resources to helping patrons with their research, you are the one constant in the ever-changing sea of information.

Do you have what it takes to be a research librarian? Before you can answer that, you need to first ace the interview. In this guide, you will find common research librarian interview questions and answers that you can use to help you prepare for your interview.

Are you familiar with the Library of Congress Classification System?

The Library of Congress Classification System is a system that libraries use to organize their collections. It’s also known as the Dewey Decimal System, and it’s used by many research librarians. Your answer should show that you know how to use this classification system and can apply it in your work.

Example: “I am familiar with the Library of Congress Classification System because I have used it before. In my previous position, I was responsible for organizing our library’s collection according to the Library of Congress Classification System. This helped me learn more about the different types of materials we had in our collection and how they were organized.”

What are the most important qualities for a research librarian to have?

This question can help interviewers determine if you have the necessary skills and abilities to succeed in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your strongest qualities that relate to the job description.

Example: “The most important quality for a research librarian is attention to detail. This position requires me to ensure all information I provide is accurate and up-to-date. Another important quality is communication. Research librarians must be able to communicate with both colleagues and patrons about any questions they may have. Patrons often come to us when they are having trouble finding what they need or want more information on a topic.”

How would you describe the relationship between a research librarian and a subject librarian?

This question can help interviewers understand your knowledge of the library’s organizational structure. As a research librarian, you may work with subject librarians to find information for patrons and assist them in finding books or other materials they need. In your answer, try to describe how these two positions complement each other and what you expect from a subject librarian.

Example: “A research librarian and a subject librarian have very different roles but also depend on one another. A research librarian is responsible for helping patrons find the right resources for their projects. We use our expertise to guide patrons through the process of searching databases and locating relevant articles. Subject librarians are experts in specific subjects who can help us locate books and other materials that we don’t already have.”

What is the difference between a reference book and a research book?

This question can help interviewers understand your knowledge of the library’s collection and how you use it. Use examples from your experience to explain what reference books are, why they’re important and how you use them in your work.

Example: “Reference books are usually one-volume sources that provide information on a specific topic or subject. They often include tables, graphs, illustrations and other visuals that make data easier to interpret. I find these resources helpful when I’m looking for quick facts about a topic or need to verify the accuracy of an article. Research books, on the other hand, are multi-volume sources that cover a wide range of topics within a particular field. These books are useful when I want to learn more about a specific subject.”

Provide an example of a time when you provided research guidance that led to a discovery.

Interviewers ask this question to learn more about your research skills and how you can help others. Use examples from your experience as a librarian or reference specialist that highlight your ability to provide guidance and support to researchers.

Example: “When I worked at the university library, I had a student come in who was looking for information on a specific topic. The student didn’t know where to start their search, so I helped them find databases they could use to conduct their research. After searching through several articles, the student found some useful information but still had questions. I walked them through the process of finding experts in the field and conducting interviews with them. This led to the student writing an excellent paper.”

If you had the opportunity to create your own subject area, what would it be and why?

This question is a great way to see how passionate you are about your field of study. Interviewers ask this question to determine if you have any specific interests that they can help support in their organization. When answering, be sure to mention something that would benefit the library or company and show that you’ve done some research on the subject.

Example: “I would love to create a collection of resources for people who want to start their own businesses. I know there are so many people out there with amazing ideas but don’t know where to begin. I think it would be wonderful to provide them with all the information they need to get started.”

What would you do if you noticed that a researcher was using an outdated resource to conduct their research?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your ability to provide guidance and support to researchers. In your answer, you can describe a situation in which you helped a researcher find more current information on their topic.

Example: “If I noticed that a researcher was using an outdated resource for their research, I would first try to determine why they were using it. If the researcher had already conducted some of their research with the older source, I might suggest that they continue using the old resource while also searching for newer sources. This way, they could compare the two resources and decide whether or not to use the new information.”

How well do you know the online resources and databases that we offer at our library?

This question can help interviewers determine how familiar you are with the library’s resources and databases. It can also show them whether or not you’ve used these tools in your previous role. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list some of the online resources and databases that the library offers and explain why they’re important.

Example: “I’m very familiar with all of the online resources and databases that your library offers because I use them regularly. In my last position, I was responsible for finding information on a wide variety of topics, so I would often search through our library’s databases to find relevant articles and other sources of information. I found that using these resources helped me find quality research materials quickly.”

Do you have experience working with researchers who speak different languages?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you have experience working with a diverse group of researchers. They want to know that you can communicate effectively and help your team members find the information they need. In your answer, explain how you helped these researchers find resources in their native language. Show them that you are able to use translation tools or other methods to help people access important research materials.

Example: “I worked at my previous library for five years. During that time, I had many international students who came to our library looking for resources in their native languages. I learned several different foreign languages during my time there, including Spanish, French, German and Chinese. I used translation software to help me understand what resources they were looking for. Then, I would show them where those resources were located.”

When is it appropriate to refer a researcher to another library?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your ability to make decisions that are in the best interest of researchers. In your answer, you can explain how you would determine when it’s appropriate to refer a researcher to another library and what factors you would consider.

Example: “I would only refer a researcher to another library if I couldn’t find the information they needed or if there was no way for me to provide them with the resources they need within my library. For example, if a researcher asked me for an obscure book that we didn’t have access to, I would refer them to another library where they could get the information they needed. If I couldn’t find any other libraries that had the book, I would try to find a digital copy so that I could still help the researcher.”

We want to increase the number of researchers who use our online databases. How would you encourage researchers to use these resources?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your marketing and customer service skills. They want to know how you would encourage researchers to use the library’s resources, which can help increase revenue for the organization. In your answer, explain a few ways you might promote these databases to researchers.

Example: “I think one of the best ways to get people to use our online databases is through social media. I have experience using various platforms to share interesting research articles with my followers. This strategy has helped me grow my own personal brand as a researcher, so I’m confident it could also benefit the library. Another way I would encourage researchers to use our online databases is by creating an email newsletter that highlights new content each week.”

Describe your process for organizing and storing research materials.

Interviewers may ask this question to understand how you organize and store information. This can help them determine if your organizational skills are compatible with the library’s current system. In your answer, describe a time when you implemented an effective organization method that helped you complete a task or project on time.

Example: “I use color-coded labels to organize my research materials. For example, I might label all books about animals blue, then separate those into mammals, reptiles, birds and fish. Then, I would label each book within that category by its author. This helps me find specific resources quickly while also keeping everything organized. When I was working as a freelance researcher, I used this process to create a comprehensive report for a client in just two weeks.”

What makes you stand out from other research librarians?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your background and how you can contribute to their organization. When answering, it can be helpful to highlight a skill or experience that makes you unique from other candidates. You may also want to mention any certifications you have earned in research librarianship.

Example: “I am passionate about helping others find the information they need. I’ve always been interested in learning new things, so becoming a research librarian was an obvious career choice for me. In my previous role, I helped students find sources for their papers and assisted faculty members with finding resources for their projects. I think my passion for education and commitment to providing excellent customer service make me stand out as a candidate.”

Which research databases do you use the most and why?

This question can help interviewers learn about your research skills and how you apply them to the job. Use examples from your experience to explain which databases you use most often, why they’re important and what you’ve learned from using them.

Example: “I find that I use both Scopus and Web of Science the most because they provide access to a wide variety of journals and publications. In my last role, I used these databases to search for articles on topics like artificial intelligence and machine learning. I found many useful resources in these databases, including peer-reviewed journal articles and conference proceedings. These resources helped me understand the latest developments in this field.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of customer service for a research librarian?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills and how you would apply them in a research library. When answering, it can be helpful to think of an example from your previous experience that shows the importance of customer service for research librarian positions.

Example: “Customer service is one of the most important aspects of any job because it helps ensure that customers are satisfied with their experiences. In my last position as a reference librarian, I noticed that many students came into the library looking for help with their assignments. To help these students, I created a list of resources they could use to complete their assignments, such as online databases and books. This helped the students find the information they needed while also helping me provide excellent customer service.”

How often do you update your knowledge of research databases and resources?

This question can help interviewers understand how much you value your own professional development. They may want to know that you’re committed to keeping up with the latest research databases and resources so you can provide them to library patrons. You can answer this question by explaining what methods you use to keep up-to-date on new information sources, such as conferences or online courses.

Example: “I attend at least one conference a year where I learn about new research databases and other tools for finding information. I also subscribe to several newsletters that update me on new developments in my field. I find these resources helpful because they allow me to stay informed without having to do extensive research myself.”

There is a researcher in the reference desk who is visibly upset. What do you do?

This question is an opportunity to show your interpersonal skills and ability to diffuse a situation. Your answer should include how you would approach the researcher, what you would say and how you would help them feel better.

Example: “I would first ask if they wanted to speak in private. If they do, I would take them to my office or another quiet place where we could talk without being overheard. Once there, I would listen to their concerns and try to understand why they are upset. Then, I would reassure them that I am here to help them find the information they need and that I will support them through this process.”