Become a Librarian
- ️Fri Jul 15 2016
What is your passion? Are you fascinated by art, biology, business, technology? Combine your passion with a desire to help others and become a librarian.
Librarians work in a variety of settings including museums, hospitals, businesses, public libraries, colleges, universities and schools. In their work, librarians research, instruct, and connect people to technology. Librarians build websites, digitize archives, and manage social media. Librarians work with people of all ages, connecting them to information, learning and the community.
Earnings and Outlook
Salaries of librarians and library workers vary according to the individual's qualifications and the type, size, and location of the library. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wages of librarians in 2018 was $59,050 per year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has also reported that employment of librarians is expected to grow by 6 percent between 2018 and 2028. (This is as fast as the average growth rate for all occupations.)
Visit Occupational Employment Statistics for the latest national, state, and local earnings data for librarians.
Education
A master's degree in library science (MLS), preferably from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited program, is necessary for most librarian positions in most public, academic, and special libraries. School librarians may not need an MLS but must meet state teaching requirements.
Choosing an ALA-Accredited Program
The vast majority of employers require an ALA-accredited master’s degree for professional positions in libraries. Graduating from an ALA-accredited program enhances career mobility and provides greater flexibility. ALA-accredited master’s programs can be found at colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
Find additional information about how to select a library science program as well as a list of accredited schools in ALA’s Directory of ALA-Accredited Master’s Library and Information Studies
As library services become more varied, so do the jobs in libraries. Librarians are no longer the only professionals working in libraries. Libraries employ web developers, knowledge managers, and IT professionals. Youth workers, security officers, archivists, book conservators, school liaisons, social workers, and Friends group nonprofit managers are a few of the unique positions employed in libraries.
Directory of ALA-accredited schools
Occupational Outlook Handbook for Librarians at the Bureau of Labor Statistics has more detailed information about educational requirements, work environment and job outlook for librarians and library workers.
Emerging Trends
San José State University School of Library & Information Science has prepared a report entitled, “MLIS Skills at Work.�? It is an is an annual snapshot analysis of the latest career trends for information professionals. This report explores the career opportunities for individuals who hold a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree. The report indicates that in addition to the title of Librarian, the following list of representative job titles is indicative of the diverse ways library information knowledge is being applied in various professional areas:
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Read the report: Emerging Career Trends for Information Professionals 2017 (PDF)
Learn more about career options
Read interviews conducted by Caitlin Williams, Ph.D. with library workers in various specialty areas of the library profession.
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Prison Library Project: Interview with Titus Moolathara, Branch Manager, Free Library of Philadelphia
Interview conducted by Caitlin Williams, Ph.D, published in the August 2018 issue of the Library Worklife Newsletter. -
Just dive in and learn! Advice from a System Librarian with an enduring belief in lifelong learning, a commitment to serving others, and a willingness to look for opportunities to make a difference
Published in April 2018 issue of Library Worklife Newsletter. It is an interview conducted by Caitlin Williams, Ph.D. with Aidy Weeks, Systems Librarian in the Health Sciences Library, within the Library Services Department for Orlando Health. -
You Work Where? Making a Difference for First Responders: Meet Ed Metz, Library Program Manager at the National Emergency Training Center Library
interview conducted by Caitlin Williams, Ph.D, published in February 2018 issue of Library Worklife Newsletter. -
Meet a Library Professional Who Uses Her Passion, Creativity and a 32-Foot Truck to Accomplish Her Work (Along with Ukulele Jam Sessions for Her Patrons!)
Interview conducted by Caitlin Williams, Ph.D. with Bretagne Byrd, Bookmobile Librarian for Lewis & Clark Library, headquartered in Helena, Montana. Published in December 2017 issue of Library Worklife Newsletter. -
"You Work Where? Combining a Love of Music with Some Great LIS Skills at an Awesome Workplace"
This article is from the October 2017 issue of the Library Worklife Newsletter. It's an interview conducted by Caitlin Williams, Ph.D. with two librarians who work at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Library in Ohio. -
" The Bunheads are Dead," from American Libraries Magazine. Ken Haycock and Carla Garner discuss the high-tech, high-touch career opportunities in library and information science and how LIS programs are adapting to meet the changing needs of the industry .