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Nature of the Work
* A master's degree in library science is usually required; special librarians may need an additional graduate or professional degree.
* Slow employment growth, coupled with an increasing number of master of library science graduates, will result in more applicants competing for fewer jobs.
* Applicants for librarian jobs in large cities or suburban areas will face competition, while those willing to work in rural areas should have better job prospects.
The traditional concept of a library is being redefined, from a place to access paper records or books, to one which also houses the most advanced mediums, including CD-ROM, the Internet, virtual libraries, and remote access to a wide range of resources. Consequently, librarians are increasingly combining traditional duties with tasks involving quickly changing technology. Librarians assist people in finding information and using it effectively in their personal and professional lives. They must have knowledge of a wide variety of scholarly and public information sources, and follow trends related to publishing, computers, and the media to effectively oversee the selection and organization of library materials. Librarians manage staff and develop and direct information programs and systems for the public, to ensure information is organized to meet users' needs.
There are generally three aspects of library work—user services, technical services, and administrative services; most librarian positions incorporate all three aspects. Even librarians specializing in one of these areas may perform other responsibilities. Librarians in user services, such as reference and children's librarians, work with the public to help them find the information they need. This may involve analyzing users' needs to determine what information is appropriate, and searching for, acquiring, and providing information. It also includes an instructional role, such as showing users how to access information. For example, librarians commonly help users navigate the Internet, showing them how to most efficiently search for relevant information. Librarians in technical services, such as acquisitions and cataloguing, acquire and prepare materials for use and may not deal directly with the public. Librarians in administrative services oversee the management and planning of libraries, negotiate contracts for services, materials, and equipment, supervise library employees, perform public relations and fundraising duties, prepare budgets, and direct activities to ensure that everything functions properly.
In small libraries or information centers, librarians generally handle all aspects of the work. They read book reviews, publishers' announcements, and catalogues to keep up with current literature and other available resources, and select and purchase materials from publishers, wholesalers, and distributors. Librarians prepare new materials for use by classifying them by subject matter, and describe books and other library materials in a way users can easily find them. They supervise assistants who prepare cards, computer records, or other access tools that direct users to resources. In large libraries, librarians may specialize in a single area, such as acquisitions, cataloguing, bibliography, reference, special collections, or administration. Teamwork is increasingly important to ensure quality service to the public.
Librarians also compile lists of books, periodicals, articles, and audiovisual materials on particular subjects, analyze collections, and recommend materials to be acquired. They may collect and organize books, pamphlets, manuscripts, and other materials in a specific field, such as rare books, genealogy, or music. In addition, they coordinate programs such as storytelling for children, and literacy skills and book talks for adults; conduct classes on Internet use and other topics; publicize services; provide reference help; supervise staff; prepare budgets; write grants; and oversee other administrative matters.
Librarians may be classified according to the type of library in which they work—public libraries, school library media centers, academic libraries, and special libraries. They may work with specific groups, such as children, young adults, adults, or the disadvantaged. In school library media centers, librarians help teachers develop curricula, acquire materials for classroom instruction, and sometimes team teach.
Librarians may also work in information centers or libraries maintained by government agencies, corporations, law firms, advertising agencies, museums, professional associations, medical centers, hospitals, religious organizations, and research laboratories. They build and arrange the organization's information resources, usually limited to subjects of special interest to the organization. These special librarians can provide vital information services by preparing abstracts and indexes of current periodicals, organizing bibliographies, or analyzing background information and preparing reports on areas of particular interest. For instance, a special librarian working for a corporation may provide the sales department with information on competitors or new developments affecting their field.
Many libraries have access to remote databases, as well as maintaining their own computerized databases. The widespread use of automation in libraries makes database searching skills important to librarians. Librarians develop and index databases and act as trainers to help users develop searching skills to obtain the information they need. Some libraries are forming consortiums with other libraries through electronic mail (e-mail). This allows patrons to submit information requests to several libraries at once. Use of the Internet and other world-wide computer systems is also expanding the amount of available reference information. Librarians must be aware of how to use these resources to locate information.
Librarians with appropriate computer and information systems skills may work as automated systems librarians, planning and operating computer systems, and information science librarians, designing information storage and retrieval systems and developing procedures for collecting, organizing, interpreting, and classifying information. These librarians may analyze and plan for future information needs. (See statement on computer scientists and systems analysts elsewhere in the Handbook.) The increased use of automated information systems enables librarians to focus on administrative and budgeting responsibilities, grant writing, and specialized research requests, while delegating more technical and user services responsibilities to technicians. (See statement on library technicians elsewhere in the Handbook.)
Increasingly, librarians apply their information management and research skills to arenas outside of libraries—for example, database development, reference tool development, information systems, publishing, Internet coordination, marketing, and training of database users. Entrepreneurial librarians may start their own consulting practices, acting as free-lance librarians or information brokers and providing services to other libraries, businesses, or government agencies.
Assisting users in obtaining information for their jobs, recreational purposes, and other needs can be challenging and satisfying; working with users under deadlines may be demanding and stressful. Selecting and ordering new materials can be stimulating and rewarding. However, librarians also spend a significant portion of time at their desks or in front of computer terminals; extended work at video display terminals may cause eyestrain and headaches.
More than 3 out of 10 librarians work part time. Public and college librarians often work weekends and evenings, and may have to work some holidays. School librarians generally have the same workday schedule as classroom teachers and similar vacation schedules. Special librarians may work normal business hours, but in fast-paced industries, such as advertising or legal services, may work longer hours during peak times.
Librarians held about 154,000 jobs in 1996. Most were in school and academic libraries; others were in public and special libraries. A small number of librarians worked for hospitals and religious organizations. Others worked for governments at all levels.
A master's degree in library science (MLS) is necessary for librarian positions in most public, academic, and special libraries, and in some school libraries. In the Federal Government, an MLS or the equivalent in education and experience is required. Many colleges and universities offer MLS programs, but employers often prefer graduates of the approximately 50 schools accredited by the American Library Association. Most MLS programs require a bachelor's degree; any liberal arts major is appropriate.
Most MLS programs take 1 year to complete; others take 2. A typical graduate program includes courses in the foundations of library and information science, including the history of books and printing, intellectual freedom and censorship, and the role of libraries and information in society. Other basic courses cover material selection and processing; the organization of information; reference tools and strategies; and user services. Courses are adapted to educate librarians to use new resources brought about by advancing technology such as on-line reference systems, Internet search methods, and automated circulation systems. Course options can include resources for children or young adults; classification, cataloguing, indexing, and abstracting; library administration; and library automation.
An MLS provides general preparation for library work, but some individuals specialize in a particular area such as reference, technical services, or children's services. A Ph.D. degree in library and information science is advantageous for a college teaching position, or a top administrative job in a college or university library or large library system.
In special libraries, an MLS is also usually required. In addition, most special librarians supplement their education with knowledge of the subject specialization, sometimes earning a master's, doctoral, or professional degree in the subject. Subject specialization include medicine, law, business, engineering, and the natural and social sciences. For example, a librarian working for a law firm may also be a licensed attorney, holding both library science and law degrees. In some jobs, knowledge of a foreign language is needed.
State certification requirements for public school librarians vary widely. Most States require that school librarians, often called library media specialists, be certified as teachers and have courses in library science. In some cases, an MLS, perhaps with a library media specialization, or a master's in education with a specialty in school library media or educational media, is needed. Some States require certification of public librarians employed in municipal, county, or regional library systems.
Librarians participate in continuing training once they are on the job, to keep abreast of new information systems brought about by changing technology.
Experienced librarians may advance to administrative positions, such as department head, library director, or chief information officer.
Slow employment growth, coupled with an increasing number of MLS graduates will result in more applicants competing for fewer jobs. Applicants for librarian jobs in large cities or suburban areas, where most graduates prefer to work, will face competition; those willing to work in rural areas should have better job prospects.
Some job openings for librarians will stem from projected slower-than-average employment growth through the year 2006, reflecting budgetary constraints in school, public, and college and university libraries. Additional job openings will arise from replacement needs over the next decade, as many librarians reach retirement age. In an effort to reduce costs, however, libraries are reluctant to add new positions and may even reduce staff.
The increasing use of computerized information storage and retrieval systems may contribute to reduced demand for librarians. Computerized systems make cataloguing easier, and this task can now be handled by library technicians. In addition, many libraries are equipped for users to access library computers directly from their homes or offices. These systems allow users to bypass librarians and conduct research on their own. However, librarians are needed to manage staff, help users develop database searching techniques, address complicated reference requests, and define users' needs.
Opportunities will be best for librarians outside traditional settings. Nontraditional library settings include information brokers, private corporations, and consulting firms. Many companies are turning to librarians because of their research and organizational skills, and knowledge of computer databases and library automation systems. Librarians can review the vast amount of information that is available and analyze, evaluate, and organize it according to a company's specific needs. Librarians are also hired by organizations to set up information on the Internet. Librarians working in these settings may be classified as systems analysts, database specialists and trainers, webmasters or web developers, or LAN (local area network) coordinators.
Salaries of librarians vary by the individual's qualifications and the type, size, and location of the library.
According to a survey by the American Library Association, the average salary of children's librarians in academic and public libraries was $34,600 in 1996; reference/information librarians averaged $35,800; and cataloguers and classifiers earned $36,600. Beginning librarians with a master's degree but no professional experience averaged $28,700 in 1996.
According to the Special Libraries Association, salaries for special librarians with 2 years or less of library experience averaged $33,100 in 1996, while those with 3 to 5 years of experience averaged $37,400. Salaries for special librarians with primarily administrative responsibilities averaged $58,400.
Salaries for medical librarians with 1 year or less experience averaged $25,900 in 1995, according to the Medical Library Association. The average salary for all medical librarians was $40,800.
The average annual salary for all librarians in the Federal Government in nonsupervisory, supervisory, and managerial positions was $50,400 in 1997.
Librarians play an important role in the transfer of knowledge and ideas by providing people with access to the information they need and want. Jobs requiring similar analytical, organizational, and communicative skills include archivists, information scientists, museum curators, publishers' representatives, research analysts, information brokers, and records managers. The management aspect of a librarian's work is similar to the work of managers in a variety of business and government settings. School librarians have many duties similar to those of school teachers. Other jobs requiring the computer skills of some librarians include webmasters or web developers, database specialists, and systems analysts.
Information on librarianship, including information on scholarships or loans, is available from the American Library Association. For a listing of accredited library education programs, check their homepage:
American Library Association, Office for Library Personnel Resources, 50 East Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. Homepage: http://www.ala.org/
For information on a career as a special librarian, write to:
Special Libraries Association, 1700 18th St. NW., Washington, DC 20009.
Material about a career in information science is available from:
American Society for Information Science, 8720 Georgia Ave., Suite 501, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
Information on graduate schools of library and information science can be obtained from:
Association for Library and Information Science Education, P.O. Box 7640, Arlington, VA 22207. Homepage: http://www.sils.umich.edu/ALISE/
For information on a career as a law librarian, scholarship information, and a list of ALA-accredited schools offering programs in law librarianship, contact:
American Association of Law Libraries, 53 West Jackson Blvd., Suite 940, Chicago, IL 60604.
For information on employment opportunities as a health sciences librarian, scholarship information, credentialing information, and a list of MLA-accredited schools offering programs in health sciences librarianship, contact:
Medical Library Association, 6 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60602.
Information on acquiring a job as a librarian with the Federal Government may be obtained from the Office of Personnel Management through a telephone-based system. Consult your telephone directory under U.S. Government for a local number or call (912) 757-3000 (TDD 912 744-2299). That number is not toll-free and charges may result. Information also is available from their Internet site: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov
Information concerning requirements and application procedures for positions in the Library of Congress may be obtained directly from:
Personnel Office, Library of Congress, 101 Independence Ave. SE., Washington, DC 20540.
State library agencies can furnish information on scholarships available through their offices, requirements for certification, and general information about career prospects in the State. Several of these agencies maintain job hotlines reporting openings for librarians.
State departments of education can furnish information on certification requirements and job opportunities for school librarians.
Many library science schools offer career placement services to their alumni and current students. Some allow non-affiliated students and jobseekers to use their services.
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