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Librarians

Also called: Librarian, Reference Librarian, Public Services Librarian, Library Media Specialist

What they do:
Administer libraries and perform related library services. Work in a variety of settings, including public libraries, educational institutions, museums, corporations, government agencies, law firms, non-profit organizations, and healthcare providers. Tasks may include selecting, acquiring, cataloguing, classifying, circulating, and maintaining library materials; and furnishing reference, bibliographical, and readers' advisory services. May perform in-depth, strategic research, and synthesize, analyze, edit, and filter information. May set up or work with databases and information systems to catalogue and access information.
On the job, you would:
  • Analyze patrons' requests to determine needed information, and assist in furnishing or locating that information.
  • Search standard reference materials, including online sources and the Internet, to answer patrons' reference questions.
  • Teach library patrons basic computer skills, such as searching computerized databases.

Knowledge

Arts and Humanities
  • English language
Business
  • customer service
  • administrative services
Engineering and Technology
  • computers and electronics
Education and Training
  • teaching and course design

Skills

Basic Skills
  • reading work related information
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
Social
  • changing what is done based on other people's actions
  • looking for ways to help people
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Verbal
  • listen and understand what people say
  • read and understand what is written
Ideas and Logic
  • order or arrange things
  • group things in different ways

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include
data, detail, and regular routines.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Cooperation
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Attention to Detail
  • Integrity
  • Concern for Others
  • Dependability

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Library software
  • Online Computer Library Center OCLC
  • RCL Software Media Library Manager
Data base user interface and query software
  • Ex Libris Group Aleph
  • Microsoft Access
Web page creation and editing software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
  • Really Simple Syndication RSS

Education

Education: (rated 5 of 5)
master's degree or
bachelor's degree
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Job Outlook

Below Average Outlook
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
Salary
$55,300
per year, on average
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about librarians.