Jobs FAQ
Here are some frequently-asked questions concerning the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners library job listings. Please look for your answer here, or if you are posting a new position for the first time, and need assistance completing and submitting the form, check the Help provided. If you still have questions, send them to vacancies@mlin.lib.ma.us.
Job Seekers
Q: How frequently is the job listing updated?
A: New jobs are posted as soon as they are submitted.
Q: How long do jobs remain on the listing?
A: Jobs can remain until the closing date assigned by the prospective employer. If no date has been selected, the job will be removed after six weeks.
Q: Can I print out all the current jobs with detailed descriptions at once?
A: Not at this time. You may print out a complete listing of job titles; however, you must look at the detailed listing to get a full description with contact information.
Q: Why are some Harvard University library jobs listed under the Boston region and others the Metrowest region?
A: Cambridge is considered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners to be in the Metrowest region. Since Harvard University has libraries in Cambridge and Boston (Harvard Business School), you should find most jobs under Metrowest. However, the selection of a region is done by the job poster, who is not always aware of our regional designations.
Q: The Massachusetts Library Association entry level salary appears out of date. Is there a newer recommendation?
A: We try to keep this figure (currently at $45,107) up to date. Please check the MLA Web site for the latest information and a description about the calculations used in developing the figure.
Q: What can you do to help me find a job in the library system?
A: The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners provides this job listing service as its primary means of helping libraries find employees, and prospective employees find a position. The Board is not a library, nor does it oversee hiring for other libraries in the state.
Job Advertisers
Q: Does posting a job cost anything?
A: No. This service is provided at no charge by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners to support libraries in the Commonwealth.
Q: Can I post para-professional and non-professional library jobs?
A: Yes.
Q: Do I have to post the job myself? Why can't I just e-mail or send it to you?
A: The job listings are a self-service operation. You or one of your staff should complete the form online. A help file is available from the Web form to help you through the process. If you encounter any difficulties, send an e-mail to: vacancies@mlin.lib.ma.us.
Q: I submitted my job and an empty screen appeared. Was my job posting accepted?
A: After your job submission has been accepted, you receive a confirmation and job ID number for later use. Otherwise, the job did not go through. Remember to submit the job after you have previewed it.
Q: My job has been filled and I want to take it down. What do I do?
A: You will need the e-mail address that you used to submit the job (the "Date Entry email"), and job ID. If you have lost this information, please send an e-mail to: vacancies@mlin.lib.ma.us.
- Select "Submit Jobs" .
- Select "Edit Entry". After entering these, you will see the job showing in a form.
- Scroll down to the Closing Date field. Immediately below that is a box entitled, "Expire Now". Check that box.
- Select "Preview"
- Select "Submit"
Your job should no longer appear on the list of current vacancies.
Q: I need to repost a job that was up three months ago. Do I have to re-enter it?
A: It is often easier to re-enter the listing. However, if you no longer have the text of the listing, an older job can often be recovered. Please send an email to: vacancies@mlin.lib.ma.us with your name, the library's name, the job title and the approximate date that it was posted. If you still have the job ID number that was assigned by us, please provide that as well.
Q: Can I post a job from out of state?
A: Jobs to be listed must be for positions in Massachusetts. The New England Jobline might be the best solution for job listings in neighboring states.
Q: How do I know in which "region" the job should be placed?
A: Please check the listing of cities and towns by region.
Q: Does my library have to belong to one of the Massachusetts Regional Library Systems to post a job?
A: No. Any library can post a job, as long as the position is located in Massachusetts.