So, I think my dream job would be working for a state or district library and assisting #rural / small #libraries with open source software. Has anyone heard of a job like that? (Or have any idea how to create it for myself?) Thanks.
@Holly Hmm. That's interesting to know Holly. Unless the political situation shifts radically this fall, I think I'll be looking for work outside of Iowa. Good to know that other states offer more services.
Consulting is a cool idea, I had never thought of that. Thank you.
@ron in north carolina the state library had a term IT position to help rural libraries get onto their shared pines catalog, which I think has been done in some other states, so there is a model and precedent. it seems like a good job.
@serialscrisis Awesome! Good to know this is actually possible. Thanks Rachel!
@ron You could try just cold calling/emailing hr departments at different library systems. I'd think you'd want to shoot for a midsized library system in a rural state. We have CALS here in Central AR and they already do a lot of technology stuff, but you might try their HR department (hr@cals.org). I imagine that once you've managed to get one library system to take a chance on you, getting subsequent jobs would be a cake walk.
@vector Yes, something to try for sure. Thanks!
@ron I mean, basically all of my advice in some way or another is "Move to Arkansas"
@ron I don't know of anything in the US, but in Canada we have the BC Libraries Cooperative bc.libraries.coop that does that and more.
@sfelkar
*holy moly* that looks awesome! And digitization services as well. Amazing!
@ron they have amazing staff who would be happy to chat as well
@sfelkar
Thanks Sarah. I might contact them!
@ron Good question - last year I worked recent transplant from Colorado who had done some state level work (more related to educational records) and she was shocked by how few resources Iowa libraries had available through the state - maybe other states have more resources like that? Though it also seems like a consulting option that one could start part time to see what's available.