OVERVIEW
What is a Librarian?
Fulfilling the role of a librarian means far more than returning books to shelves and organizing books by an author’s last name. Rather, it’s a role that means helping library visitors effectively use a library’s resources, while at the same time protecting those resources for future use.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Librarian Do?
Librarians are primarily responsible for helping visitors effectively find, and use, a library’s resources. They also play pivotal roles in protecting these resources, so that they are made continually available for all library visitors. The specific responsibilities of a librarian can include:
- Maintaining library archives for personal and professional use.
- Assisting library visitors in finding, and using, all library media.
- Directing researchers to resources that will aid in academic and professional project completion.
- Processing and cataloging library media for easy reference whenever needed.
- Handling manuscripts and assorted documents of importance.
- Troubleshooting issues with electronic databases or online connectivity.
- Interpreting online archives and library catalogs for visitors searching for specific materials.
These responsibilities make librarians primarily responsible for some of the most important books, documents, and electronic resources available worldwide.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
What Education Does a Librarian Need?
The career of a librarian represents a specialized position requiring a high level of associated schooling. This includes either a degree in library science or a closely related field, to familiarize the student with basic aspects of library research and functionality.
Librarians employed in an academic setting may require further schooling, often satisfied by an online teaching degree. Students can further improve their chances for hire as a school librarian by earning a master’s degree in education technology and instructional design. These degrees familiarize aspiring librarians with important educational components of the role, especially for librarians that will be regularly interpreting resources for younger students.
Best Degrees for a Librarian
Education
Educational Studies – B.A.
These online, non-licensure educational studies degrees prepare you to...
These online, non-licensure educational studies degrees prepare you to make a difference in a field that interests you.
Based on your career goals and interests, you can choose an educational studies program in one of 10 content areas that meets your needs while working toward employment in school settings, corporate training, or instructional design. These programs do not lead to a teaching license.
- Time: Completion time varies depending on the specialty track you choose.
- Tuition: $3,825 per 6-month term.
- This bachelor's degree allows students to learn about education but does not include student teaching and it does not lead to a teaching license.
Focus areas of this educational studies degree program include:
- Elementary Education
- Elementary and Special Education
- Mild to Moderate Special Education
- Secondary Biology Science Education
- Secondary Chemistry Science Education
- Secondary Earth Science Education
- Secondary Physics Education
- Middle Grades Science Education
- Secondary Mathematics Education
- Middle Grade Mathematics Education
Education
Education Technology and Instructional Design – M.Ed.
The M.Ed. in Education Technology and Instructional Design from WGU is for...
The M.Ed. in Education Technology and Instructional Design from WGU is for instructional designers tasked with creating engaging and immersive virtual learning experiences that can substitute for on-ground instruction.
No teaching license required.
- Time: 62% of students finish this program in 10 months.
- Tuition: $4,125 per 6-month term
- Courses: 12 total courses in this program.
This program includes two tracks for students to choose from:
- The K-12 pathway
- The Adult Learner pathway
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Learning Experience Design
- Assessment and Learning Analytics
- Learning Technology
- Research Methodology
Develop training and instruction expertise to help you in the classroom, in educational settings, or in corporate world.
How Much Does a Librarian Make?
$60,820
Total librarian earnings will vary based on factors that include their years of experience, the library of employment, specific information science skills, and other influences. The average librarian salary is $60,820 per year, with a range of roughly $34,820 to $97,460, according to data from the BLS.
The exact salary of a librarian can also depend on their field. For example, a librarian employed by a college or university earned an average of $65,120 per year as of May 2020. A medical librarian’s salary averaged $54,890 during the same timespan.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
5%
As communities continue to rely on libraries not only for media, but for a wide variety of programs and services, the outlook for a librarian remains positive. The BLS projects that demand for librarians will see a 5% growth rate from 2019 to 2029.
The continued demand for librarians comes as the position itself experiences change. The increase in technology-based resources and materials has required librarians to familiarize themselves with an increasingly wide range of electronic platforms. Despite the newfound popularity of online media and databases, library visitors still require help finding and using these materials, making the position of librarian as indispensable as ever.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a Librarian Need?
Librarians depend on a variety of skills each day, to help library visitors find the resources they need. These skills can include:
- Critical thinking. The ability to comprehend the needs behind a visitor’s request, and locate resources to help them further their research efforts.
- Information science. The ability to create and implement processes for storing and retrieving library media.
- Basic mathematical skills. The ability to do basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to track inventory and such.
- Computer usage. The ability to use all library databases, relevant search engines, internet resources, and content processing tools.
- Effective communication. The ability to correspond efficiently with fellow librarians, library volunteers, students, and any other library visitors.
- Library programming. The ability to implement and participate in library services and programs that engage community members and foster a love for library resources.
Librarians regularly put the above skill set to work, combining a love for library resources with the capacity to connect visitors with any materials they’re looking for.
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