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How to become A Librarian

Education and Training

“Knowledge is power,” and Librarians are empowered with the ability to help people access comprehensive and accurate information which will enable the latter to live their lives to the fullest. Continue Reading

Skills a career as a Librarian requires: Customer Service Databases Literature Research Methods Document Management View more skills
Librarian salary
$61,190
USAUSA
£22,000
UKUK
Explore Career
  • Introduction - Librarian
  • What does a Librarian do?
  • Librarian Work Environment
  • Skills for a Librarian
  • Work Experience for a Librarian
  • Recommended Qualifications for a Librarian
  • Librarian Career Path
  • Librarian Professional Development
  • Learn More
  • Conclusion

Introduction - Librarian

“Knowledge is power,” and Librarians are empowered with the ability to help people access comprehensive and accurate information which will enable the latter to live their lives to the fullest.

Similar Job Titles Job Description
  • Information Scientist

What does a Librarian do?

What are the typical responsibilities of a Librarian?

A Librarian would typically need to:

  • Help patrons of the library to conduct research, evaluate search results, and reference material
  • Answer questions, find relevant information, and locate books, periodicals, and other material
  • Advise patrons face-to-face, over the phone, or by email about available resources and material
  • Create and access databases of library material to guide the research process; organise library material so it is easily found
  • Classify and index resource material on digital catalogues; maintain existing collections and clear the shelves and computer files of outdated material
  • Work towards installing and migrating to a new integrated library system (ILS); design and create a new library website using content management system
  • Develop a more efficient online documents catalogue, using an enhanced Intranet site to increase productivity and accessibility
  • Handle check-in of books and CDs; create LibGuides for instructional and informational purposes
  • Create identification cards, troubleshoot accounts, and reset passwords for current staff and patrons
  • Take responsibility for valuable or fragile material; arrange insurance for them, if necessary; undertake repair of damaged material
  • Determine which resources to obtain by reading book reviews, publishers’ announcements, and catalogues 
  • Work closely with users of the library, such as academics and representative of professional bodies, to help establish which resources need to be acquired
  • Liaise with publishers before selecting, ordering, and purchasing appropriate books, videos, and other material
  • Do due diligence before purchase of computers and other equipment
  • Plan programmes for diverse audiences, such as story time for children and book clubs for senior citizens
  • Organise and conduct outreach activities, including school visits, creative writing workshops, and readings by authors
  • Educate the general public on information resources
  • Train and supervise library technicians, assistants, other support staff, and volunteers
  • Ensure all staff members follow Freedom of Information, Data Protection, and Copyright laws
  • Manage the library and statistical returns; create and implement library budgets in a sustainable manner; attend meetings and conferences

 

Librarian Work Environment

Most Librarians work on the floor with patrons, behind the circulation desk, or in offices. Some have private offices, but those in small libraries often share the workspace with their colleagues. 

 

 

Travel may be necessary if you work for more than one branch, operate and drive a mobile library in a rural area, need to visit book fairs, or attend conferences and community events.

Work Schedule

In general, Librarians work full time, although part-time work is quite common for daytime, evening, and weekend shifts. Public and academic Librarians often work weekends, evenings and holidays. 

 

School Librarians usually have the same work and vacation schedules as teachers, including summers off. Although they typically keep normal business hours, Corporate Librarians may need to work more than 40 hours per week to meet deadlines.

 

There has been an incremental increase in employers willing to give promising employees a chance to adjust their schedules per the job demands. 

 

Employers

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Librarians can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting employers directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.

 

 

Librarians are generally employed by:

  • Public Libraries
  • Universities
  • Colleges
  • Schools
  • Hospitals
  • Medial Schools
  • Legal Institutions
  • Prisons
  • Research Establishments
  • Museums
  • Charities
  • Corporate Houses
  • Insurance Companies
Unions / Professional Organizations

Professional associations and organisations, such as The International Association of School Librarianship (IASL), are crucial for Librarians interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation.

 

Professional associations provide members with various continuing education, networking opportunities, and mentorship services. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

 

Workplace Challenges
  • Chronic budget constraints that translate into fewer personnel, inadequate technology, and limited resources
  • Pressure to take on multiple roles, often independent of each other, in larger institutions
  • Time-consuming managerial and circulation processes in smaller libraries result in inadequate support to patrons
  • Limited collections dependent on collaboration with other libraries, remote services, and electronic resources
  • Relatively outdated library management systems in small and medium libraries due to inertia or lack of financial resources
  • Waste of valuable resources on outdated systems which cannot cope with the latest technological developments in resource management
  • Probability of slipping, falling and sustaining injuries while handling tall and heavy stacks of books
  • Health issues rising from a sedentary occupation
  • Repetitive stress injury, backache, and likely eye strain from sitting at the computer for prolonged periods

 

Work Experience for a Librarian

Summer internships are hard to come by but will help aspiring Librarians benefit from tasks outside the classroom that align perfectly with lessons inside it. One may hear countless stories and obtain valuable hands-on experience from more experienced professionals who can turn seemingly routine incidents into unique learning moments.

 

Prior work experience as a library assistant or teacher before entering the chosen master’s programme will help. Many library schools have work-study programmes where students take classes while gaining practical experience in the library. Often part-time jobs translate into full-time careers. 

 

Summer internships, part-time work at an entry-level position, or short-term paid/voluntary work at public and local school libraries offer a taste of the work, give valuable insight into how a company or institution operates, help build useful contacts, and improve one’s prospects of getting a permanent job. 

 

The experience may also help you determine whether the public, private, or voluntary sector is best suited to realise one’s ambitions. Your educational provider’s career service department can provide information about viable opportunities for work placements, internships and voluntary work in diverse sectors.

 

Some locations offer Graduate Training Opportunities to graduates whose primary degree is unrelated to librarianship. Partner organisations provide training and experience for a year before the trainee enters a relevant postgraduate programme. Sometimes, the employer may keep the job open and support the trainee through a full-time, part-time or distance-learning academic programme.

 

Read about the profession, undertake relevant research, and interview/ job shadow experienced Librarians to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers.

Recommended Qualifications for a Librarian

An accredited master’s degree in library science, information studies, or library and information studies will equip you to apply for most Librarian positions. 

 

Education providers accept applicants with a bachelor’s degree in any field. However, a liberal arts programme facilitates familiarity with diverse subjects and helps you figure out which area of librarianship to pursue and the courses that require special attention.

 

Consider taking classes that enhance your skills in communication, writing, research, cataloguing, classification, customer service, and maintenance and conservation. You may also learn about reference work, relevant technology, online reference systems, Internet search methods, library organisation, and administration. The history of books and printing, censorship and intellectual freedom are additional topics of value.

 

School Librarians must meet other standard teaching requirements that may vary across locations. Law, pharmaceutical or geology librarians will profit from an auxiliary degree in their subject specialisation. 

 

Focus on classes in history, English, speech, and foreign languages. Take courses related to the particular speciality if you intend to work in a special library. Learn how to use a computer and conduct basic research in a library.

 

Remember that completing a particular academic course does not guarantee your entry into the profession. Be that as it may, the professional qualifications and transferable skills you gain may open up more than one door.

 

Do your homework and look into all available options for education and employment before enrolling in a specific programme. Reliable sources that help you make an educated decision include associations and employers in your field.

 

Certifications, Licenses and Registration

Public school libraries typically require candidates with an accredited teacher’s certification. School librarians may also need to pass a standardised library media specialist test. Contact your local department of education for more information.

 

Certification demonstrates a Librarian’s competence in a desirable skill set, typically through work experience, training, and passing an examination. Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.

 

Public libraries may mandate licensure as an essential prerequisite for employment. 

Individual government entities conduct the licensing process. You will need to pass an examination after meeting eligibility requirements, such as a minimum level of education, work experience, training, and completion of an internship or apprenticeship.

 

Librarians may also need to undergo an employment background check, including but not limited to a person’s work history, education, credit history, motor vehicle reports (MVRs), criminal record, medical history, use of social media, and drug screening.

 

Librarian Career Path

Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive the career progression of Librarians who may move to bigger libraries, take responsibility for a specialist service or collection, or take on administrative or leadership roles

 

A globally recognised certification will allow you to seek work in a foreign country of your choice. Your librarianship and information management knowledge will prove valuable in a wide range of commercial businesses. Some Librarians prefer to teach in graduate schools of library science.

 

The desire to accelerate career growth and personal development has an increasing number of millennials choosing to job hop and build a scattershot resume that showcases ambition, motivation, and the desire to learn a broad range of skills.

 

Studies prove that job hopping, earlier dismissed as “flaky” behaviour, can lead to greater job fulfilment. Employees searching for a positive culture and interesting work are willing to try out various roles and workplaces and learn valuable, transferable skills along the way.

 

Job Prospects

Candidates with a master’s degree in library science and accredited certification who are tech savvy, good at finding answers, and interacting with people have the best job prospects.

Librarian Professional Development

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Librarian build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity, 

formal education, or self-directed learning. It also enables the regular renewal of required certifications and licences.

 

Many Librarians pursue postgraduate qualifications in the specialist area of their choice. You will require a doctorate to be eligible for top administrative posts in large libraries and faculty positions in library science graduate schools.

Learn More

On the Fence? Hedge Your Bets

 

Your field of interest will dictate the kind of librarianship you pursue. 

 

Public Service Librarians work in local libraries worldwide, advocating reading competence that aids in early learning for children. Reference and Research Librarians help with research. In addition to giving directions about the proper database and its use, they locate and organise all specialised information required.

 

Individuals with excellent organisational and communication skills and an avid interest in research may opt to become Technical Service Librarians who handle the ordering, processing, and cataloguing of new materials, subscriptions, and any other equipment needed by the library.

 

Archivists are specialised librarians who handle manuscripts, documents, and records. Their duties and subject matter vary by country or region. A sound computer background helps Systems Librarians develop and maintain the computer systems used for record keeping.

 

Knowledge of licencing for and use of electronic resources, including specific journals, databases, and e-books, prepares one to become an Electronic Resources LIbrarian responsible for managing databases licensed from third-party vendors.

 

Outreach Librarians are active in campus social networking forums, visit residence halls, and develop physical/online exhibits to promote library resources and services while encouraging student research proficiency.

 

School Librarians direct students in using available systems and recommend appropriate technological and traditional materials to promote learning; they also help teachers develop a good curriculum and acquire necessary materials for conducting classes.

 

Employed by hospitals, insurance companies, medical schools and other facilities dealing with medical information, Medical Librarians focus on helping others access medical sciences and healthcare data.

 

Serials Librarians keep track of sequential magazines, journals, and periodicals and their subscriptions. They stamp all new arrivals, add a strip so they will beep in case of unauthorised possession, reinforce the binding, if necessary, and shelve them. They also get rid of old publications after the lapse of a certain period.

 

Catalogue Librarians identify and enter information about the author, title, publication date/place, edition, ISBN, illustrations, subject, and size into a Machine Readable Cataloguing format (MARC format), so the patrons can easily search for and locate the book they need.

 

Get the Low-Down

 

Benjamin Franklin loved reading so much that he set up his own lending library. Between 1886 and 1919, Andrew Carnegie donated around 1.6 million in today’s dollars to open 2509 libraries worldwide.

 

The Library of Congress (LOC), which houses 168 million items, is the world’s largest library in terms of catalogue depth. The Haskell Free Library and Opera House sits right on the border between the United States and Canada. One can enter from Stanstead, Quebec and exit into Derby Line, Vermont, without a passport but have to return to their country of origin or risk fines.

 

The most popular genres in prison libraries are paranormal romance, young adult titles, and the Left Behind series. The CIA pays up to six figures to its Librarians.

 

One of the most overdue library books in the world was returned after 122 years. The Guinness Book of World Records is the book most often stolen from public libraries.

 

In around 150 libraries, you can check out humans as living books and listen to their stories. 

 

Conclusion

Gratitude for a task well done is often its glory; that’s often the case with Librarians who may have rescued someone’s rescue project, changed another’s life through a book recommendation and offered countless others a safe, quiet place that encourages reading, learning, and beneficial introspection.

Advice from the Wise

Librarians don’t have to know everything; they need to know how to find everything.

Did you know?

Portugal’s Rococco LIbrary houses a colony of bats that sleep behind the bookcases during the day and emerge at night after the library is closed to eat book-damaging insects.

Introduction - Librarian
What does a Librarian do?

What do Librarians do?

A Librarian would typically need to:

  • Help patrons of the library to conduct research, evaluate search results, and reference material
  • Answer questions, find relevant information, and locate books, periodicals, and other material
  • Advise patrons face-to-face, over the phone, or by email about available resources and material
  • Create and access databases of library material to guide the research process; organise library material so it is easily found
  • Classify and index resource material on digital catalogues; maintain existing collections and clear the shelves and computer files of outdated material
  • Work towards installing and migrating to a new integrated library system (ILS); design and create a new library website using content management system
  • Develop a more efficient online documents catalogue, using an enhanced Intranet site to increase productivity and accessibility
  • Handle check-in of books and CDs; create LibGuides for instructional and informational purposes
  • Create identification cards, troubleshoot accounts, and reset passwords for current staff and patrons
  • Take responsibility for valuable or fragile material; arrange insurance for them, if necessary; undertake repair of damaged material
  • Determine which resources to obtain by reading book reviews, publishers’ announcements, and catalogues 
  • Work closely with users of the library, such as academics and representative of professional bodies, to help establish which resources need to be acquired
  • Liaise with publishers before selecting, ordering, and purchasing appropriate books, videos, and other material
  • Do due diligence before purchase of computers and other equipment
  • Plan programmes for diverse audiences, such as story time for children and book clubs for senior citizens
  • Organise and conduct outreach activities, including school visits, creative writing workshops, and readings by authors
  • Educate the general public on information resources
  • Train and supervise library technicians, assistants, other support staff, and volunteers
  • Ensure all staff members follow Freedom of Information, Data Protection, and Copyright laws
  • Manage the library and statistical returns; create and implement library budgets in a sustainable manner; attend meetings and conferences

 

Librarian Work Environment
Work Experience for a Librarian
Recommended Qualifications for a Librarian
Librarian Career Path
Librarian Professional Development
Learn More
Did you know?
Conclusion

Holland Codes, people in this career generally possess the following traits
  • R Realistic
  • I Investigative
  • A Artistic
  • S Social
  • E Enterprising
  • C Conventional
United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals that this career profile addresses
Quality Education Responsible Consumption and Production Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions