Librarian Career

Librarians assist people in finding information and using it effectively for personal or professional purposes.They manage staff and develop information programs and systems for the public, to insure that information is organized in a manner that meets the needs of the user.The traditional concept of a library is being redefined from a place to review and check out paper articles and books to one that carries the most advanced media, including CD-ROM, the Internet, virtual libraries, and remote access to a huge range of resources.As a result, librarians, or resource management professionals, are combining traditional duties with tasks that involve quickly changing technology.Most librarian positions involve three aspects of library work:user services, technical services, and administrative services.

Librarians are classified by the type of library in which they work:public library, school library media center, or university academic library.They also work in information centers maintained by government agencies, corporations, law firms, advertising agencies, museums, unions, medical centers, and research laboratories.Many libraries have access to remote databases and maintain their own databases.

Work Environment for Librarians

Librarians spend a great deal of time at their desks or in front of their computers.Assisting users in obtaining information for their jobs or homework can be challenging and satisfying, but working under deadlines can be demanding and stressful.Some librarians carry heavy books and climb high ladders.

Many librarians work part-time, and public and college librarians often work evenings and weekends, as well as holidays.School librarians usually have the same workday and vacation schedules as classroom teachers, while special librarians usually work normal business hours.

Government budget constraints and the growing number of computerized information storage and retrieval systems will limit growth in the number of librarian positions.However, librarians will still be needed to manage staff, help users learn database-searching techniques, and address complicated reference requests.Jobs for librarians outside traditional settings should grow the fasted over the next decade.These types of jobs entail working for private corporations, nonprofit organizations, and consulting firms.Many companies are turning to librarians because of their research skills and their knowledge of computer databases and library automation systems.

Educational Requirements for Librarians

A Master�s degree in Library Science (MLS) is required for librarian positions in most public, academic, and special libraries and in some school libraries.The federal government requires that its librarians have a Master�s degree or the equivalent in education and experience.Many colleges and universities have MLS programs, but employers usually prefer graduates of the schools accredited by the American Library Association.

Most MLS programs require a Bachelor�s degree, but from no specific degree program.Courses for an MLS degree include foundations of library and information science, intellectual freedom and censorship, and the role of libraries and information in society.Courses are adapted to educate librarians in the use of new resources brought about by advancing technology, such as online reference methods, Internet search systems, and automated circulation systems.The MLS degree provides general preparation for work in a library, but some individuals specialize in a specific area, such as reference, technical services, or children�s services.

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