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Librarians are information detectives, technology masters, privacy defenders and literacy advocates. How to become a librarian shows you how to join this diverse and evolving profession.
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Librarian Tips
- Most professional librarian jobs require a Master of Library Science (MLS) degree.
- Librarians may work in academic, public, school, or special settings.
- Scholarships and other financial assistance may be available for library students.
- Join a professional organization for networking and continuing education.
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Introduction
- Let's get real.
- Librarians aren't frumpy, authoritarian bunheads;CNN.com: href="http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/West... - Librarians oppose shushing action figure (Sep. 8, 2003) in fact, a few librarians are quite hip.New York Times: A Hipper Crowd of Shushers (July 8, 2007) Not everyone who works in a library is a librarian,ALA: Types of Jobs and professional librarians work in a variety of workplaces, including schools, universities, nonprofit organizations and law firms. As a librarian, you won't get to sit around and read all day,Library Journal: How to Become a Librarian and you may just have one of the most stressful jobs around.BBC News: Librarians 'suffer most stress' (January 12, 2006) But if you like research, archiving, technology, public service or working with young people, librarianship may be the right profession for you.
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Step 1: Assess the Field
- Before you decide to become a librarian, make sure you are aware of the available opportunities and requirements for professional positions.
- Employment Outlook
- The number of librarian jobs in the U.S. is expected to increase by 4 percent between 2006 and 2016.Occupational Outlook Handbook: Librarians
- Large numbers of working librarians are expected to retire in the next decade.Occupational Outlook Handbook: Librarians
- University of South Carolina School of Library and Information Science estimates nearly 20,000 job openings for school librarians in the next 10 yearsUniversity of South Carolina School of Library and Information Science: Have You Considered a Career as a School Librarian? > Career outlook
- Salaries
- Credentials
- Most professional librarian jobs in the U.S.require a Masters Degree,Occupational Outlook Handbook: Librarians usually called the MLS or Master of Library Science.ALA: LIS Directory
- Some library positions, like the School Media Specialist, may require additional certification.ALA: Library Education & Licensing
Step 2: Choose a Focus
- Consider what type of library position best suits your interests.
- Academic Librarian
- Serves students, faculty, and staff at colleges and universities.ALA: Types of Libraries
- Responsible for research, technology, and information literacy instruction.ALA: A Great Career @ Your Library
- May be eligible for tenure or faculty status.Academic-Librarian-Status: A guide to the professional status of academic librarians in the United States (and other places)
- Public Librarian
- School Librarian
- Also called a School Media SpecialistUniversity of South Carolina School of Library and Information Science: Have you Considered a Career as a School Librarian? > About the Job
- Responsible for collections, technology, information literacy instruction and partnering with teachers.University of South Carolina School of Library and Information Science: Have you Considered a Career as a School Librarian? > About the Job
- Gets summers and school vacations off!University of South Carolina School of Library and Information Science: Have you Considered a Career as a School Librarian? > Overview
- Special Librarian
Step 3: Get the Degree
- Graduate programs offer a variety of approaches to library and information science. Traditional library schools focus on public, school and academic library careers, but in the past ten years, some progressive institutions have become information schools or iSchools, which take a broader and more abstract approach to studying how information is organized and retrieved.ALA: How to choose a library science school
- Choose Programs of Interest
- The American Library Association maintains a list of accredited library and information science programs.ALA: LIS Directory Decide which programs are right for you based on several factors.
- Program focus and course offerings.ALA: How to choose a library science school Interested in archiving? Youth services? Library administration? Make sure the programs you choose offer multiple courses suited to your interests.
- Ranking. Generalized sources such as U.S. News and World ReportU.S. News and World Report: Library & Information Studies - Best Graduate Schools rate library science programs, but take these with a grain of salt.ALA: How to choose a library science school General rankings do not take your particular program needs into account.
- Location. Choose a program in a location where you are comfortable attending school, or look for one of the many Library and Information Studies programs that offer distance learning opportunities.ALA: How to choose a library science school
- Cost. In-state, public universities offer the least expensive tuition. Private or out-of-state public universities will leave you with higher tuition bills.
- Submit Applications
- Now that you've identified desired programs, put together your application. Required qualifications vary by institution.
- You will need a bachelor's degree with at least a 3.0 GPAALA: LIS Directory
- Any undergraduate major is considered adequate preparation.Occupational Outlook Handbook: Librarians
- Some but not all schools require standardized tests such as the GRE.ALA: LIS Directory
- Most schools also request a letter of recommendation from a professor or employer.ALA: LIS Directory
- Fund Your Education
- Tuition costs for MLS programs varies significantly, especially between public and private universities. A student loan may help defray the cost, but other funding sources may also be available.
- Check the ALA website for a list of schools and institutions that offer financial assistance.ALA: Financial Assistance for Library and Information Studies
- Some libraries or library systems, like the New York Public Library, may help pay for MLS degrees for their employees.New York Public Library: FAQs at the New York Public Library
- If you are American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino or Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, you may apply for ALA's Spectrum Scholarship.ALA: Spectrum This scholarship provides financial assistance for students whose ethnic background is currently under-represented in U.S. librarianship.ALA: Spectrum
- Attend Library School
- Library students study everything from storytelling to metadata. Here are some things you can expect from your library education.
- A typical library degree takes 12-18 months to complete for full-time studentsIndiana University SLIS: Programs & Degrees Questions and 2-3 years for part-timers.University of North Carolina Greensboro Department of Library and Information Studies: Frequenly Asked Questions
- Most programs offer core classes and electives, and some also offer areas of specialization such as archives or children's and youth servicesQueens College GSLIS: Academic Programs
- Many schools require internships or practica, particularly for school media specialists.Queens College GSLIS: Master of Library Science, School Media Specialist
- Your program may include an optional or required thesis or exit project to culminate your studies.ALA: LIS Directory
Step 4: Join a Professional Organization
- To participate in continuing education, share ideas with other library professionals and gain valuable networking opportunities, consider joining a professional organization.ALA: Member Stories
- Choose an Organization
- The American Library Association
- The world's largest library association.ALA: FAQ
- Hosts numerous events including an Annual Conference each summer.ALA: Events and Conferences
- An ALA Division
- A State Library Association
- Take Advantage of Student Discounts
- Students often receive a discounted membership rate in library associations.ALA: Student Members.
- Students may be eligible to join state and national organizations jointly for further savings.ALA: Student Members
- Each year, some library students attend ALA's Annual Conference free of charge in exchange for volunteer workALA: Student Chapter Resources
Step 5: Find a Job
- Congratulations! You've got your credentials. Now it's time to look for a professional librarian job.
- Prepare Your Resume
- The MLS is the minimum qualification for a professional librarian position,Library Journal: The Entry-Level Gap (May 1, 2005) but employers want to know what unique qualifications you bring to the job. There is no need and not enough room to list every previous job on your resume,LISCareer.com: Making Non-Library Experience Work for You so be sure to include your most relevant experience and accomplishments.
- Previous library work. Many employers prefer candidates with library experience.Library Journal: The Entry-Level Gap (May 1, 2005) An internship or paraprofessional position at a library can help you in the long run, even if the short term pay is less than ideal.Library Journal: Finding a Library Job (6/1/2005)
- Other work experience. If you have not worked in a library, think about skills you have developed in other contexts that may help you as a librarian. Previous experience with customer service, management, or serving young people will prepare you for many types of library work.Library Journal: Finding a Library Job (6/1/2005) If you are going into a subject-specific library, such as an art library, previous work in the field demonstrates subject knowledge, which will come in handy in a professional librarian position.LISCareer.com: Making Non-Library Experience Work for You
- Find an Opening
- To find a job, you'll need to know about an open librarian position. Use professional contacts and librarian-specific employment websites to find out where you can apply.
- Bring multiple copies of your resume to library conferences. ALA's Placement Service allows employers to interview prospective employees on-site at Midwinter and Annual Conferences.ALA: Current Conference Placement Services]
- Check libraries' websites. Individual libraries and library systems, such as the New York Public Library, may post job openings on the web.New York Public Library: Employment Opportunities
- Library schools often post job listings on physical bulletin boards or electronic mailing lists. Some schools, like Simmons College, maintain publicly accessible online job listings.Simmons College: GSLIS New England Jobline
- Librarian employment websites list a variety of available librarian positions. Visit these sites to view openings across the U.S. and Canada.
- Prepare for an Interview
- In most cases, an interview for a librarian position resembles a standard job interview, but there are some library-specific tips to keep in mind.
- If the library where you are applying is open to the public, visit the space beforehand to get a feel for the community, atmosphere and collections.Library Journal: Finding a Library Job (6/1/2005)
- Candidates for academic librarian positions are often invited to spend the day at the academic library.LISCareer.com: Interviewing at Academic Libraries These meetings are day-long interviews and include a short presentation by the candidate, lunch and meeting librarians from multiple departments.LISCareer.com: Interviewing at Academic Libraries
- Take a look at 101+ Commonly Asked Interview Questions.Ann E. Robinson: 101+ Commonly Asked Interview Questions This list of interview questions for prospective librarians was compiled in 1999, but most of the items on the list are relevant today.
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