Announcement: Goodreads Librarian Application Quiz

[rivka, Former Moderator]

As we mentioned a couple months back, we have been working towards implementing a quiz that all members applying for librarian status must pass. I am very happy to announce that the new Librarian Applicant Quiz is now live.

A number of our current librarians submitted questions for the quiz -- thank you! Quite a few of our Experts helped with this project as well, in addition to the developers who did all the programming and testing. The new quiz will supplement the previous process, rather than replacing it: applicants will still have to explain why they want Goodreads Librarian status, and what they hope to achieve with it.

This change will only affect users applying for Librarian status (not any current Librarians), and will hopefully result in a pool of more knowledgeable new Librarians.

While applicants are encouraged to use both the Librarian Manual and existing threads in this group as resources while taking the quiz, posting requests for assistance with the quiz in this group will not be allowed, and may also prevent the poster from being considered for librarian status. We ask that any such posts be ignored by current librarians and other group members, and not be replied to.

We plan to add new questions to the quiz on an ongoing basis. We are no longer accepting question suggestions. Please do not post them in this group or send them in via the general Contact Us option.

General comments, questions, or concerns about this change are welcome in this thread. We do ask that any specific ones -- especially if they are regarding individual users and/or individual quiz questions, such as “I think this question is incorrect and here is why” be submitted exclusively via the Contact Us page.

[lethe]

Can we see the current questions? It seems a shame to spend time thinking up questions that are already in the quiz :)

Seeing the questions may also provide us with ideas for new ones.

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Thanks rivka (and the rest of the GR team) This is a step in the right direction. :)

[rivka, Former Moderator]

Question regarding a specific user has been removed.

rivka wrote: "We do ask that any specific ones -- especially if they are regarding individual users and/or individual quiz questions be submitted exclusively via the Contact Us page."

[Cell]

I suggest letting the people who passed the quiz know which answers are wrong since they are a step closer to become a librarian.

[Moloch]

Just a thought: not all the librarians know English very well, but sometimes they focus on books in other languages and work fine. Now wannabe librarians that happen not to be very good at English may have problems with the test.

Would you consider translating the quiz in other languages too?

You may say that not knowing English means they can't read the librarian manual, though... So, in a way, they already *have* to know a bit of English?

In short, I don't know if this will translate into "you MUST know English to be a librarian".

[rivka, Former Moderator]

lethe wrote: "It seems a shame to spend time thinking up questions that are already in the quiz :)"

Since we have a large pool of questions, having some similar questions is fine.


Cell wrote: "I suggest letting the people who passed the quiz know which answers are wrong since they are a step closer to become a librarian."

All applicants for Goodreads Librarian status are invited to review the Manual, as well as to read current and recent threads in this group and see how experienced Librarians handle requests.


Moloch wrote: "You may say that not knowing English means they can't read the librarian manual, though..."

And that is indeed the crux of the matter. Basic English comprehension is necessary to understand the Manual.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Would you consider translating the quiz in other languages too?

It seems this is going to be an open-book test, meaning while taking the test you can consult the manual and this group for answers. So an applicant could also use google translate or other translation aids.

[Scott]

*Mission: Impossible theme plays*

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Corinne wrote: "FYI you only 29 minutes to complete it."

Well, that makes research and translation a bit more difficult

[annob [on hiatus]]

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Thanks rivka (and the rest of the GR team) This is a step in the right direction. :)"

I second Carol, this sounds like a really good way to ensure a decent level of awareness about policy before being granted editing permissions. If it all proceeds satisfactory, I hope existing Librarians eventually are required to take the test too.

[A room full of books~ :)]

Just as a warning, for some reason the form code allows blank (unchecked) answers to be submitted (even though they will obviously be marked wrong because it was never answered), as I just found out to my sorrow when my browser somehow erased half of my answers on the quiz before I hit submit... 😅

[Clare]

rivka wrote: " As we mentioned a couple months back, we have been working towards implementing a quiz that all members applying for librarian status must pass. I am very happy to announce that the new Librarian ..."

How do I access the quiz please?

[rivka, Former Moderator]

The quiz cannot be accessed independently. It is part of the application process when applying for Goodreads Librarian status.

[John]

Well, I passed and then submitted the paragraph about why I want to be a librarian. Fingers crossed I get approved. That test is, in my opinion, pretty difficult and I write that as someone with a few degrees and having taken my share of standardized tests. I suppose the reason it felt difficult is, in part, because it feels like you are taking a final exam without ever having attended the class. It somehow feels backwards that way—prove you have potential to be a good librarian by demonstrating you know what a librarian should. Still, I get the desire to screen people and I am not complaining. Good luck to everyone else who is taking it!

[Sarah]

John wrote: "Well, I passed and then submitted the paragraph about why I want to be a librarian. Fingers crossed I get approved. That test is, in my opinion, pretty difficult and I write that as someone with a ..."

I completely agree. That test is very intense and it took me 3 attempts to pass. It definitely felt like just getting thrown into the deep end!

The links that show up on incorrect answers were pretty helpful (although not all of them link to pages that have the answer). If I could make a humble suggestion, I wish those links would be there while actually taking the test. That might help test-takers feel less like they are being set up for failure.

I sure hope that you approve anyone who gets through that process! Myself included. :)

[Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂]

Sarah wrote: "If I could make a humble suggestion, I wish those links would be there while actually taking the test. That might help test-takers feel less like they are being set up for failure."

JMO, but I think having those links up while taking the test would be distracting. I was told you only have a certain time frame to submit answers.

I'm sure GR will monitor the results & if the tests are too hard they will adjust the questions.

[Rachel]

Where can I find the quiz so that I can take it?
Thank you,
Rachel

[Emily]

Rachel wrote: "Where can I find the quiz so that I can take it?
Thank you,
Rachel"

Go to the description of the group at the top of the group homepage and click on the word volunteers. That will take you to the relevant page on Goodreads Help.

[rivka, Former Moderator]

Suggestions regarding the formatting of the Manual should not be posted in this group. Goodreads Librarians are not employees of Goodreads, but volunteers. They cannot assist you with issues of site functionality. Please use the Contact Us page.