So You Want To Be A Librarian...

Today’s librarian can work in a variety of places and in many different specialty areas. For example, one can work as a librarian in a public library, a school media center, a college or university library, or other specialty libraries, such as a law or art library. Librarians can also be found working in agencies run by the federal government, corporations, museums, religious organizations, or advertising agencies.

In most cases, librarians of today work directly with technology. From creating and maintaining databases for a public library to teaching students how to find exactly the information they need in a school’s media center, librarians must be proficient in using information systems and computerized databases. However, the job of the librarian doesn’t stop with locating desired information. In fact, librarians maintain the overall retrieval and upkeep of all library resources, which can include books, academic journals, magazines, microfilm, newspapers, videos, and more. 

Daily tasks can vary based upon the type of librarian position.  If working with user services, such as in a public library, a librarian would help the user acquire or interpret information. In such a position, one may have to instruct the patrons on how to access the information he or she desires. On the other hand, librarians focused on technical services rarely interact directly with people. Rather, technology-based librarians work to prepare information for future use. Tasks within this position can include cataloguing or compiling lists of books, magazine articles, or periodicals on a particular subject. Finally, librarians in administrative services plan and manage all library activities. These librarians have many job responsibilities not typically associated with being a librarian. Their tasks can range from organizing public relations and fund-raising activities to overseeing all library employees to preparing departmental budgets.

As mentioned previously, librarians perform several activities not typically associated with the librarian position. The recent surge in information technology has compelled librarians and the library structure as a whole to adapt to the changing needs of users and today’s advanced society. In many ways, this can make for a very interesting day-to-day occupation.

What skills are necessary?

When looking to hire a librarian, most public libraries, school media centers, and special libraries seek someone with a Master’s degree in Library Science (MLS). Working for the federal government requires a MLS or equivalent in education and experience. In addition, most MLS programs require a bachelor’s degree, but there is no specific undergraduate program required. A Ph.D. in library and information science is also beneficial if you are interested in teaching at the college level or desire a top administrative job in a large library system or college/university library.

Most librarians also focus their education in an area in which they would like to specialize, such as law or medicine. Many librarians working in law offices are licensed attorneys, as they have obtained both library science and law degrees. Foreign language proficiency may also be important in a specialty library position. For typical school library media center positions – termed school media specialists – schools often require teacher certification, as well as courses in library science to hold this position. In fact, twenty four states also require teacher certification of librarians employed in local library systems, while several others have voluntary certification guidelines.

It may also be advantageous for librarians to participate in other training once on the job in order to remain as up-to-date as possible on all of the latest technological advancements.

How much does it pay?

The average salary of a librarian depends on the area and level in which he or she works. Administrative librarians will make a larger average salary, as well as those working for federal government agencies. The average annual salary for all librarians employed by the Federal Government in nonsupervisory, supervisory, and managerial positions for 2005 was $74,630. The following median annual earnings of 2004 for librarians working in different areas were taken from a report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

What Employment Opportunities Will be Available to Me?
 
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports, “Employment of librarians is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations over the 2004–14 period.” However, currently more than 3 out of 5 librarians are 45 years of age or older, meaning that they will be eligible for retirement within the next 10 years.  Therefore, job opportunities should become more widely available as more experienced librarians go into retirement.  Due to technological advances, the role of the librarian is shifting in many ways toward such duties as managing staff, helping users develop database-searching techniques, addressing complicated reference requests, and defining users’ needs.

Experienced librarians also have the opportunity to advance to such positions as department head, library director, or chief information officer.

Are There Any New Trends in the Field?

The need for librarians, as stated above, should grow within the decade. More and more nontraditional jobs for librarians will continue to open up as more companies take advantage of librarians’ research skills and abilities to review, catalogue, and interpret important information for the company. Librarians’ Internet capabilities will also become more important to companies interested in setting up easily accessible information. In this type of setting, a librarian can by classified as a systems analyst, database specialist, or Webmaster.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Librarians, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos068.htm (visited December 19, 2007).