You apply, you pass the initial screening of the applications (one woman put down as a qualification for the head of the Children's Department that she "has had a permit to carry a pistol in Utah for over 20 years" -- and well, no, sorry, we didn't feel that was a valid qualification), we do a police background check of those with potential, we interview them, they are tested in some way (e.g., to work with children you might have to present a live story hour to kids), and the we hire who we think is the best of the bunch.

There ARE some restrictions, set by the city: No visible extensive tattoos for public service jobs, for example, and ditto for body piercings.

Otherwise, if you can do the job we don't care if you're fat, thin, ugly, confined to a wheelchair, short, tall, over 40 (and many of us are), male/female/other/none, or what.

Right now I am working with the best staff I have worked with in 35+ years in the library biz....