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Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a librarian. Feel free to use our librarian job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a librarian.

 

Who is a Librarian? 

A librarian is a professional who works in a library and provides access to information and sometimes social and technical programming or instruction on information literacy to users. The duties of a librarian have changed over time; new media and technology have been brought into play to make the role more interesting. From the earliest libraries to the modern information hub libraries, there have been keepers, supervisors, and disseminators of the information held in data stores. Relatively, the specific roles and responsibilities of a librarian vary based on the type of library, the location of the library, the specialty of the librarian, and the functions needed to maintain collections and make them available to users. Librarians have been described as information experts in the information age; since senior librarians are involved in the long-term planning of a library as well as its relationship with its parent organization or institution.

From time memorial, the librarian is associated with the collection of books; however, the position of a librarian has evolved and is evolving to handle the technological and social needs of society. These days, a librarian’s role encompasses the provision and maintenance of information in different formats such as books, magazines, electronic resources, visual and audio recordings, newspapers, manuscripts, maps, bibliographic databases, internet-based and digital resources, and photographs. In some libraries, the librarian provides information, literacy instruction, computer training, and provisions. They also coordinate with community groups to host public programs, provide assistive technology to the populace with disabilities, and aid in the location of community resources. The advent of the internet has revolutionized the position of a librarian and impacted profoundly, the resources and services offered by the librarian. Nowadays, a librarian can offer many services to library users or clients. Also, electronic information has transformed the duties of librarians even to the point of revolutionizing library education and service expectations.

Furthermore, the librarian oversees the general daily operation of the library within a school, or religious institution, or as part of government-owned libraries and research facilities. They also take care of the overall organization of the library and ensure that customers are served adequately and effectively. A librarian evaluates books and other relevant information resources to ascertain if they can be added to the collection or not. Being astute and diligent professionals, most librarians make sure that materials and resources are arranged properly to make them easily accessible to patrons. An outstanding contribution of librarians is that they assess the research needs and preferences of visitors and identify the necessary resources. Similarly, the librarian organizes speakers, workshops, and entertainers to educate and entertain patrons and users. They ensure that their constituency and immediate communities are carried along by publicizing the use of library resources. Librarians have mastered the use of digital delivery systems to present resources to users at their facilities and remotely via the internet. They make sure that systems are evaluated for the storage and delivery of digital content, and keep up-to-date with technological trends and innovations in the industry.

Additionally, these specialized professionals facilitate information curation and enhance the promotion and sustenance of learning in society. Therefore, you might be enticed by the prospect of becoming a librarian if you enjoy sharing information. An important aspect of being a librarian is that such individuals are patient, and attentive, and can catalog books and conduct regular audits. Today, we have e-libraries across the globe; the librarian updates the e-library database continuously with much need materials and resources. While many librarians work in public, some work behind the scenes in technical support or administration.

There are various types of librarians with unique duties within their community. They include;

School librarians: A school librarian works in a school library and performs duties as teachers, information technology specialists, and advocates for literacy. This form of librarians can be employed by both private and public schools at the high, middle, and elementary levels. They educate students on how to use a library effectively and instill or inculcate a love for reading in them. Also, a school librarian teaches the students how to use the library database and other research tools like a dictionary, thesaurus, or encyclopedia.

Public librarians: They work at public libraries in towns, cities, and states interacting with members of the public of different age groups and social statuses. The public librarians organize the library, catalog books, and enter resources details into the library database. In some public libraries, the librarian creates community programs such as library-run book clubs, puppet shows, and fun events where local authors read from their books. Some public librarians work specifically and frequently at the reference desk of lending libraries.

Academic librarians: An academic librarian works in a college or university; they typically help and direct students on how to use the library database to find online scholarly articles or hard copy resources for research papers, assignments, and projects. The scope and duties of academic librarians also involve helping professors and tutors find and access valuable research material. Some academic librarians store and preserve artifacts and books.

Archivist librarians: These are librarians who deal with archival resources including manuscripts, documents, and records.

Specialty-focused librarians: A specialty-focused librarian works in a specialty library (a library that contains books and reading material of the same genre or about the same industry).

Electronic resources librarians: These forms of librarians manage the databases that libraries license from third-party vendors.

 

Librarian Job Description

Below are the librarian job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a librarian job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.

The roles and responsibilities of a librarian can differ depending on the type. Here are some examples of the general roles and duties of librarians;

• Research topics of interest for the community or constituency.
• Manage access to electronic information and resources.
• Review books, journals, and articles databases.
• Refer users and patrons to other community organizations and government agencies for further research.
• Work with other educational institutions to establish continuous, lifelong learning, and further education initiatives.
• Suggest appropriate books for children of different reading levels and ages.
• Recommend novels for recreational reading.
• Suggest new and interesting books or resources for library users to try.
• Organize, facilitate, and promote book or reading clubs.
• Develop programs and activities for library users of all backgrounds and ages.
• Deliver arts and cultural activities to local communities.
• Assess library services and collections to best meet library users ‘needs.
• Create pathfinders to make book accessibility easier.
• Digitalize collections and resources for easy access online.
• Deliver arts and cultural activities to local communities.
• Build and maintain resources to respond to changing community demands and needs.
• Publish articles in library science journals.
• Write grants and proposals to solicit for funding to expand programs, collections, and resources.
• Answer incoming reference questions through the telephone, email, postal mail, chat, and fax.
• Initiate and establish creative digital activities to introduce children to coding, engineering, and website development.
• Make and enforce computer appointments on the public access internet computers.
• Ensure promotion and advocacy of library services.
• Assist job applicants and local entrepreneurs.
• Provide excellent customer service to library users.
• Oversee and manage a team of library assistants, library technicians, and other aids.
• Delegate tasks among members of staff to maintain a productive and competitive work environment.
• Keep a budget to replace, repair, or obtain new reading material or resources.
• Collect and catalog library resources such as films and publications.
• Keep and update library records.
• Perform regular audits of the information and inventory on files.
• Coordinate budgets, plans, and employee activities.
• Organize and host book sales, author signings, and other reading events.
• Clarify the use of library amenities and provide information about library policies.
• Ensure the library meets the needs of special and precise groups such as postgraduate students and people with disabilities.
• Monitor the library regularly to ensure cleanliness, order, and protection of the library’s resources.
• Keep up with information management trends.

 

Qualifications

Depending on where they work, a librarian may be required to possess various qualifications. Discussed below are some basic qualifications every librarian should possess;

• License and certification: Most times, librarians are expected to possess a license to be able to practice. However, this is dependent on the type of librarian career being pursued. For instance, a school librarian or academic librarian must apply for and receive a license to qualify. Relatively, professional certification in the field is an added advantage.
• Work experience: Work experience is important for the role of a librarian. With increasing competition in the sector, it is vital to get relative or relevant work experience. Experience can even be gotten when in school; you can job shadow a librarian as well and gain much-needed expertise in the industry. Also, you can gain work experience in a library or research facility after your education. When available, apply for positions to work in your college or university library as an aid or research assistant.
• Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees: Librarians usually complete a four-year bachelor’s degree in library science or other related areas like history, English, or sociology. A librarian can also enroll for a degree in an area they hope to specialize in. For instance, a pre-law degree can translate to working in a law library after completing a master’s degree. As stated earlier, there is marmot competition in the field; thus, a two-year master’s degree program in library science or library and information studies is an added advantage. Such a postgraduate degree is helpful for candidates that did not get a bachelor’s degree in library science.
• Continuing education: There are numerous continuing education classes for library science; many librarians take these classes to keep up with changing technology.

 

Essential Skills

Skills essential for the role of a librarian are called librarian skills. These are transferrable soft skills and industry-based hard skills that each librarian must bring to work in a library. The industry-based hard skills include specific skills like understanding how to categorize information and the ability to use library software. In contrast, soft skills are those skills that can be transferred from one sector to another and include punctuality, critical thinking, and time management to mention but a few. A combination of hard and soft skills is needed by the librarian to work effectively daily. Hence, the essential skills for librarians are;

Cataloging skills: Cataloging skills are crucial skills in the library field. A librarian’s daily duties involve the organization and arrangement of information. Typically, a library uses software to catalog inventory and resources; this saves time and keeps the library’s media well-organized. However, a librarian must bring cataloging skills to the job as well. It might be in form of familiarity with library software, alphabetical information gathering, and the ability to order items by date or name.

Information curation skills: Ideally, this should be the top skill possessed by a librarian. Librarians can help find important information for users or patrons on books or complex subjects. They use their knowledge on research to know how to search for accurate, updated, and new information from both offline and online sources. Since libraries value providing excellent information and educational services, librarians often help with this type of research.

Documentation skills: Precise documentation skills enable the librarian to maintain and arrange information and library records accurately. The librarian must understand how to use documentation software to share, create, and store documents and sustain complete records. Also, documentation skills aid the librarian to create applications for library cards, library fine information, library catalog, or user information.

Vast knowledge of library databases: For efficiency and ease of sorting, navigating, finding, retrieving, and returning library materials, modern libraries now appreciate librarians with considerable experience using and applying databases for data collection and storage.

 

How to Become a Librarian

To become a librarian, an individual must have certain qualifications and requirements that span certifications, experience, education, and skills. An amalgamation of these know-hows prepares the individual for a career as a librarian. In addition, it ensures that the individual understands the working principle of the library and how to warrant the smooth running of the library. Therefore, the following are steps to becoming a librarian;

1. Conduct thorough research and determine the type of librarian you want to become: Learn about library science, what being a librarian entails, and all the potential paths available to librarians. Then, proceed and choose the type of librarian you want to become from the list. This helps you specialize your training and education.

1. Meet the educational or academic requirements: Look through the minimum standard and determine the specific education and course of study you need to become a librarian. During the process, try and develop your learning and training process towards what type of librarian you want to become. Though there is a preference for a bachelor’s degree in library studies, you can complete a master’s program in library and information science or its equivalent if your first degree isn’t in library studies.
2. Get relevant work experience: Employers value work experience; thus, try and apply for an internship or volunteer role to get the necessary work experience. For example, you can volunteer at your school library while in school to understand the practical aspect of the course and gain relevant experience.
3. Achieve professional certification: Employers prefer applicants with vast knowledge of the field. This is believed will introduce innovative ideas for running the library and improve efficiency. Consider acquiring professional certificates in the field you specialize in; this will increase your appeal to deliver if hired.
4. Get a job in a library of your choice: Finally, many libraries have part-time positions and may be willing to work around an employee’s schedule. This is an excellent way to gain work experience and enhance your skills. Once you have satisfied the entire requirement, prepare your resume and cover letter and apply for a job.

                                

Where to Work

A librarian is an asset to several organizations and industries. Enumerated below are some of the employers of a librarian;

• Public libraries
• Archives and museums
• Broadcasters and publishers
• Private and public schools
• Non-governmental organizations
• College, research, and university libraries
• Information brokerage firms
• Government, corporate, legal, and hospital libraries
• Information technology firms
• Prisons and traditional community libraries

                                   

Librarian Salary Scale

Research has shown that a librarian’s salary depends heavily on the level of experience, educational qualifications, related professional certifications, location of work, and position at work. In the United States, the average salary of an assistant librarian with less than a year of experience is 22.01USD per hour. A librarian with 1-3 years of experience earns 30.63USD hourly, while an experienced senior librarian makes 34.24USD per hour.

In Great Britain, salaries for graduate trainee librarians are between 17,000GBP to 22,000GBP per annum. On the other hand, assistant librarians earn 25,000GBP to 29,000GBP yearly. Lastly, salaries for senior or deputy librarians range from 37,000GBP to 55,000GBP annually. Similarly, an individual working as a librarian in Nigeria earns an average salary of 238,000NGN per month.

Administration and Management

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