Librarian Training Class: Librarian Job Description Information

A librarian uses the latest information technology to assist library patrons with research, engages in the acquisition of material for the library and classifies library materials so that they will be found on the library's shelves and computer system. A librarian's primary interaction with patrons is to help locate and utilize information effectively, whether for personal or professional intentions.

A public librarian generally holds a master's degree in library science. A public school librarian, however, is often required to meet additional state licensing requirements to work in public schools. With the advent of the Internet and electronic digitizing of materials, the role of the library is being slowly redefined as a place of electronic resources rather than the traditional warehouse of paper documents. Consequently, the traditional role and duty of a librarian, frequently called an "information professional," is shifting to meet changing technologies and patron demands.

Librarians must follow publishing and media trends closely, as well as be up to date on the latest computer technology. Librarians are also responsible for acquiring and organizing new materials for the library and deleting obsolete items. The librarian is also in charge of a staff of assistants, sometimes volunteers, that loan and shelve the library's materials, insuring that the materials are well-organized and accounted for. Teamwork is essential to maintaining a vital library.

Librarians often specialize in one of three aspects of library work: user, technical or administrative services. User services is the upfront job of analyzing a patron's need, whether adult or child, and to assist or instruct the patron in finding the desired information or resource. Technical services is the acquisition, preparation, classification and cataloging of new materials to make patron searches more manageable. These librarians often have little contact with the public. Administrative services negotiate contracts for materials, services and equipment. They also manage, plan and perform the library's public relations and fundraising duties, as well as prepare the budget and oversee staff to ensure the library functions smoothly. In small libraries, however, there may be only one librarian who must juggle all of these duties.

There are a number of institutions other than public libraries and school library media centers that require librarians to categorize and maintain different types of materials and records. These include colleges and universities, special government and corporate libraries, law firms, advertising agencies, professional associations and unions, medical centers and research laboratories.

Of the approximately 158,000 jobs librarians held in 2006, about 80 percent were full time, with the other 20 percent being part time, often involving evening, weekend and holiday work. Public school librarians usually have similar hours, workdays and holidays as classroom teachers. Librarians who work in the private sector, such as legal or advertising services, can work long hours when circumstances dictate it, and as experience grows, corporate librarians can advance to upper management positions, such as department heads and chief information officers.

The salary of a librarian depends on several factors, including qualifications, experience and the type, size and location of the library, but in general, wages fell somewhere between $40,000 and $60,000 per year in 2006, with the lowest 10 percent making about $30,000. Federal and corporate librarians, however, can make significantly more than public and school librarians. A librarian working for the federal government made an average of nearly $81,000 in 2007.

Librarian Training Class

Librarian Job Description Information

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