The old image of librarians working with shelves of books, an image as dusty as the books themselves, is no longer accurate, if it ever really was. Librarians are information professionals, selecting and organizing materials. They conduct research, classify materials, and help others locate and use information effectively
Because they manage print, visual, audio, and electronic sources, librarians must be proficient with using a variety of information resources. In order to facilitate the organization of materials, they need to keep current with developments related to publishing, the media, and computer technology.
Library Jobs in Traditional, Academic, School, and Special Libraries
Many people think of librarians as working in traditional locations, such as public libraries or schools. However, librarians are employed in variety of settings. They may also work in specialized environments where the collection and management of select information is important to an organization.
Librarians in traditional library environments work with a wide range of information as well as with a diverse public. Those working in academic libraries for colleges, universities or other institutions, tend to have a narrower selection and may work within a disciplinary focus. Librarians working in primary and secondary school settings, sometimes called school media specialists, work closely with teachers in developing curriculum and acquiring instructional material for the classroom.
Specialized environments – an organization’s private library, archives, or information center – increasingly seek out librarians to locate and manage information, according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) released by the U.S. Department of Labor. Librarians in these environments focus on select subjects of interest to the organization. Specialized libraries are found within numerous organizations: government agencies, medical centers, nonprofit institutions, religious organizations, museums, prisons, law firms, and so forth.
A Librarian's Duties
Although not a comprehensive list, a librarian’s role includes
- analyzing users' needs to help provide the information they need
- working with users to demonstrate how to efficiently search for information
- building collections by selecting, purchasing, and classifying materials
- managing access to electronic information resources, including digitizing collections for online access
- supervising assistants in preparing resources and working with users
- developing programs for library users of all backgrounds
- collecting and organizing materials in a specific field of study
- conducting classes and workshops
- publicizing services
- writing grants to secure funding
Job Outlook and Earnings
The OOH 2008-2009 notes that the projected job growth for librarians is slightly lower than average, especially for public libraries. Positions in public schools, where additional certification is required, and outside traditional settings are expected to be favorable. Specialized librarianship is the fastest growing field. The significant number of librarians expected to retire in the next decade will also increase the number of job openings.
According to a survey conducted in 2008 by the American Library Association (ALA), librarians’ mean salary was $53,251 and salaries ranged from $22,000 to $331,200. The Special Libraries Association, in a similar study, reported the mean salary for U.S. librarians working in specialized library environments was $71,812 in 2008.
Educational Requirements – Master’s Degree of Library Science
Although some employers hire individuals without specialized training in library and information science, most career positions require one or more advanced degrees. A Master of Library Science (MLS) degree, as well as its counterparts the Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) and Master of Science (MS) degrees, provides general preparation for library work. Most employers prefer degrees from an ALA-accredited program.
In earning a library degree, individuals may specialize in particular areas, for instance choosing work in reference, children’s services, specialty subjects like business or engineering, archives, or database administration. Additional education or certification may be required for certain positions. School librarians need to meet state licensing requirements, for example, and a doctorate (Ph.D.) in library and information science is often required for positions in academia or higher administration.
Individuals interested in pursuing a MLS or related degree in library and information science will wish to choose a program that best suits their career goals.
Rather than working with one information medium – books, or one place – libraries, librarians have skills with information selection and management that permit them to pursue careers in different environments. For those who enjoy working with both information and people, being a librarian is a rewarding profession.
Sources and Further Reading:
American Library Association’s LibraryCareers.org
Special Libraries Association
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Librarians
Related articles: Librarians – Choosing a Library Science Program and Online Library Science Degree Programs
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