Corporate Art/Architecture Librarianship

My question to Samantha, MLS student and corporate librarian in an architecture firm:

Are corporate positions advertised in library job listings or in listings for
architects or somewhere else entirely?

Samantha’s reply:

I ended up stumbling backwards into my position, promoted
from office manager, which I just found on Craigslist. I had 3 library
classes down, and A LOT to learn. I am uncertain as to how/where they
recruited the previous librarian — Perhaps in the New York Times –
which is where we usually hire from. I recently hired a new full time
assistant, and I posted the ad to area library schools, area art
schools, SLA Philadelphia chapter, and the Philadelphia Cultural
Alliance website (philaculture.org) — the last was the winning
location. I don’t see jobs like mine advertised too often, but I have
seen listings either come through across SLA SoloLib or the
Architecture, Building Engineering, Construction and Design caucus of
SLA. Also, I have seen library staffing companies hiring for similar
positions. I bet the Architecture Roundtable of SAA is also another
source, as I have several colleagues in firms that I have made contact
with through there.

My firm is very into being at the cutting edge of the research field, so
they’re starting to get that having their library be at the forefront
helps them attain their goals. I take a very academic approach to my
position, and the firm is starting to support for my involvement in the
greater community –like I’m getting sent to SEI this summer. I share a
lot of the same woes as expressed in the round of job category emails,
as sometimes the library is outnumbered here 70:1 and it can be very
hard to get the resources and attention that I need. Things like OPACs
and automation systems are considered a frill here, as I have heard
echoed by other colleagues at other firms, as well. So I’m still a
little resource starved, but I believe in time I will get what I need –
But I believe a certain sense of salesmanship and self-promotion will be
needed in any library position.
S.