Librarian

Become A Librarian

Are you a die-hard bookworm with tech-savvy skills? Would you love to spend your days known as an "information professional," helping strangers hunt online or among the book stacks for the information they need? Then perhaps you should consider a career as a librarian.

Librarian in a Nutshell

While most of us think of librarians as pensive individuals who stand behind reference desks reminding us to keep our voices down, there are many roles for certified librarians. They act as curators for special exhibits and collections, specialize in preservations or manage historical archives. Librarians with technical backgrounds also help set up and oversee extensive online databases for researchers. In general, regardless of their particular role or place of work, librarians must be patient, friendly and adept at finding information efficiently.

Education Requirements for Librarians

A majority of librarian positions in public, academic and special libraries in the US require a master's degree in library science (MLS). If the position is as a public school librarian, candidates must most often also be certified teachers. Employers prefer candidates who graduate from a 1- to 2-year MLS program accredited by the American Library Association.

Once hired, librarians are expected to continue their education and training to stay current in the constantly changing technologies and new information systems that libraries must adopt. Many librarians also have a master's degree, doctoral or professional degree in subjects related to their own passion; this gives them a deeper knowledge in a particular field and helps them better serve the public.

Day in the Life at the Library

In today's technological world, computers play an essential role in a librarian's life. Librarians spend much of their time sitting in front of monitors, interacting online with users, recommending books and sources and performing administrative duties.

Librarians also classify new materials, meet with publisher reps, and research sources to help build book collections. At some institutions, librarians may be responsible for researching and writing grants, as well as meeting with prospective donors to the library.

Job Growth for Librarians

Job opportunities for librarians are expected to grow more slowly than average occupations through 2014. However, currently more than three out of every five librarians are over age 45, so with retirement not far away, you can expect the library doors to remain open for new information professionals.

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