Top 9 The New York Public Library Interview Questions & Answers (2024)

NYPL, or The New York Public Library, is a New York City staple almost guaranteed to be around even after you and I are. It’s one of the largest library systems in the world, with fifty-million(!)-plus items and almost 100 locations in NYC alone.

It’s no wonder that this great NYC institution serves millions of people a year. As a result, to service this many people, the library also employs thousands of workers at any given time. Beyond books and librarians of the stereotypical sense, the library also has educational events, cultural icons, digital collections, public programming, and more that requires the services of its employees.

Being a part of this vast network of the library is immense—and potentially rewarding. Especially for those academically or research-inclined, working at the NYPL can be a great gig. We’ll look into what it’s like to interview for general roles that the library is constantly hiring for — maybe it will help you land the library role you’ve been looking for!

If you're seeking further insights or guidance on making the most of your opportunities with The New York Public Library, you might find our specialized articles enlightening. For a comprehensive understanding, we invite you to explore “how to land a job at The New York Public Library,” discover the secrets behind “how to write the perfect resume,” or learn the art of crafting “how to write a great cover letter” to captivate hiring managers.

Common New York Public Library Interview Questions

Background Interview Questions

1. Can you describe how your previous experience has prepared you for a role at the New York Public Library?
2. How does your educational background align with our mission at the NYPL to inspire lifelong learning, advance knowledge, and strengthen communities?
3. What initially sparked your interest in working within a library system, particularly the NYPL?

Skill-Based Interview Questions

1. Can you give an example of a time when you had to teach someone to use a resource or tool they were unfamiliar with?
2. Describe your experience in dealing with difficult patrons or resolving customer disputes.
3. The NYPL hosts various events and workshops. Have you ever organized such programs? If so, can you share your approach and any success metrics?

Question: Can you describe how your previous experience has prepared you for a role at the New York Public Library?

Ah yes, the experience question. It’s maybe the most commonly asked starter question to an interview, with the interviewer sometimes even having a print-out of your resume and/or cover letter in front of them.

This question, while simple on the surface, gives you the opportunity to quickly set the tone for the rest of the interview. Your skillset, positional aptitude, and past experiences are just a few of the things you can highlight from the outset.

Example Answer 1: "My tenure as a librarian assistant in my hometown library helped me develop valuable skills like customer service, organizing resources, and hosting events. These experiences make me a strong candidate for the NYPL."

Example Answer 2: “Having worked as a teacher for five years, I've gained insights into promoting lifelong learning and facilitating knowledge advancement. This will help me effectively serve patrons at the NYPL."

In both responses, the candidate demonstrates their relevant experience and its direct application to the role at the NYPL. The first example focuses on operational tasks within a library context. This response would be good for roles that require hands-on library management, such as a librarian or library technician.

The second response emphasizes broader transferable skills from a teaching background, focusing on promoting education and knowledge, aligning with the NYPL's mission. This answer might be particularly effective for roles that involve community engagement or educational programming.

Question: How does your educational background align with our mission at the NYPL to inspire lifelong learning, advance knowledge, and strengthen communities?

With this question, interviewers want to assess whether your education complements the mission of the NYPL. It helps them ascertain if your academic training equips you to contribute meaningfully to the library's goals.

Example Answer 1: “As a history major, I learned the importance of preserving and engaging with historical texts. This aligns with NYPL’s mission to advance knowledge by making these important resources available to the public.”

Example Answer 2: “My degree in Education emphasized the importance of creating inclusive learning environments. This aligns with NYPL’s mission to inspire lifelong learning and strengthen communities.”

Both responses connect mission to education, with the NYPL at the center. It’s a good start.

Better answers would do well to go a step further by highlighting specific stories or instances of how personal experience served to answer this question too. The second response starts well: it highlights an educational background focused on inclusivity, which conveniently mirrors NYPL's commitment to community strength and lifelong learning. It could be suitable for roles centered around programming and visitor engagement.

Question: What initially sparked your interest in working within a library system, particularly the NYPL?

This question is asked to understand your motivation and enthusiasm for the role and organization. Demonstrating genuine interest can show interviewers that you're likely to be engaged and committed if hired.

Example Answer 1: “Growing up, the library was my sanctuary. It inspired my love for literature and shaped my desire to help others access the wealth of knowledge libraries offer. The NYPL, with its mission and magnitude, seems like the perfect place to fulfill this aspiration.”

Example Answer 2: “I'm captivated by the NYPL's dedication to enriching lives through knowledge and learning. My initial spark came from recognizing the potential of libraries in bridging information gaps, and the NYPL stands as a beacon in this regard.”

In both answers, the candidate demonstrates a personal connection to libraries and a specific interest in the NYPL. In the first example, the response focuses on the individual's personal experiences and passion for literature, implying they'll bring that enthusiasm to their work at the NYPL.

In the second response, the candidate aligns their interest in information accessibility with the NYPL's role in providing resources, indicating they understand and value the library's mission.

Question: Can you give an example of a time when you had to teach someone to use a resource or tool they were unfamiliar with?

This question is asked to understand your ability to communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences, a critical skill for roles at the NYPL where you might need to assist patrons in using library resources. It helps demonstrate your patience, instructional skills, and interpersonal communication abilities.

Example Answer 1: "In my previous job, I assisted a senior citizen who struggled with navigating our digital catalog. I patiently walked her through each step, making sure she understood before moving on."

Example Answer 2: “During my time at a tech startup, I led workshops teaching non-technical colleagues how to use our data visualization software. I broke down the process into digestible parts and used relatable analogies.”

These responses show the candidate's ability to tailor instruction to different audiences - older individuals less familiar with technology in the first case, and non-tech colleagues in the second. Both answers display patience and empathy, which are vital for a public-facing role like the ones at the NYPL.

Moreover, these scenarios demonstrate an understanding of how to break complex processes down into manageable steps, an essential aspect of instructing others effectively. These skills would be of significant value at the NYPL, especially in roles involving teaching patrons to use various library resources.

Question: Describe your experience in dealing with difficult patrons or resolving customer disputes.

Challenging situations may arise, even in a normally quiet library environment. Being able to handle this well is important for any library role, regardless of whether interacting with guests is on your job description.

Accordingly, this question wants to see how you would react in a hypothetical situation—sometimes the question might actually place you in the shoes of a real lived experience in order to see how you might respond.

If you can, you’d do well to display how you might diffuse the situation while remaining professional. Bonus points if you can convert the difficult patron into a proponent for the future for NYPL, though this may not always be possible or optimal.

Example Answer 1: "I once had a patron who was very upset about a late fee. I calmly explained the library's policy, listened to his concerns, empathized with his frustration, and ultimately offered to connect him with a supervisor who could potentially waive the fee."

Example Answer 2: “At my previous job, a customer was unhappy with our product. I listened actively to understand her issue, apologized for her negative experience, and found a feasible solution by offering a refund. Eventually, she appreciated our handling of the situation.”

These answers demonstrate empathy, professionalism, and commitment to finding solutions that satisfy the patron while adhering to company policy. In the first response, the applicant shows understanding of library policies and willingness to escalate matters when necessary, which could be important at NYPL.

The second answer showcases the candidate's ability to remain calm during a difficult interaction, find a solution that aligns with company policy, and turn a negative experience into a positive one, all of which are valuable skills for roles at the NYPL.

Question: The NYPL hosts various events and workshops. Have you ever organized such programs? If so, can you share your approach and any success metrics?

This question is key in understanding your capabilities in event planning and management, as well as measuring the outcomes of such events. It's important for roles at the NYPL that involve organizing and hosting educational or community-focused events.

Example Answer 1: "I've organized author meet-and-greets at my previous library job. We saw a 30% increase in participation over time. My approach involved heavy promotion on social media and partnering with local bookstores."

Example Answer 2: “At my current job, I lead a monthly workshop series teaching digital literacy. Attendee feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with 90% indicating they learned a new skill. My approach focuses on hands-on learning and follow-up resources.”

Both responses indicate successful experiences with event organization and an ability to quantify their successes. The first answer demonstrates an ability to leverage partnerships and social media promotion to increase event attendance, while the second answer focuses on creating value for attendees through practical learning.

Both approaches and success metrics would be valuable at the NYPL, which regularly hosts a variety of events and workshops for diverse audiences. The skills displayed in these responses - event promotion, partnership-building, hands-on instruction - align well with what might be needed in many roles at the NYPL.

Additional Tips for Interviewing at the New York Public Library

Preparation could go beyond the interview itself. Even grabbing your library card (and getting one if you don’t already have one) and walking into a location can be educational in and of itself.

Familiarizing yourself with the library in a small way like this will inevitably help you in the interview process. It’s important to try to understand the inner workings of the library system, no matter the role. Paying attention to smaller details like these can serve to help your own interview prospects as well.

Being able to refer to your own NYPL (or other library) experiences can also be helpful during the interview process. If the library has helped or influenced you in one way or another, showing how with personal touches can go along way. Skills-wise, being able to communicate well within whatever team you are applying to is also beneficial for the role.

Thinking beyond just a single role may also help you with your chances at the NYPL. With the library constantly hiring, the one role you applied for may not be the only one available. We recommend staying on the lookout for other opportunities that may arise at The New York Public Library—more are bound to pop up on your wishlist soon!