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Career Description

This is an ideal career for a logical thinker. The job of a librarian is to select, develop, organize, and maintain a library collection. If you work in a library that serves the community or a school, the collection is likely to consist mainly of books, newspapers, DVD’s, and videos. A collection can, however, also include journals, maps, films, sound recordings, CD ROMS, e-books, and data bases. A library may also have a bank of computers with internet access for general use.

As a librarian you provide advisory and reference services for students, teachers and the general public. You will work regular hours, although some community librarians work shifts that may include weekends and evenings. You can work in a small team with a library assistant and a library technician.

Career Advice - Librarian Career

A collection can, however, also include journals, maps, films, sound recordings, CD ROMS, e-books, and data bases. A library may also have a bank of computers with internet access for general use.

As a librarian you provide advisory and reference services for students, teachers and the general public. You will work regular hours, although some community librarians work shifts that may include weekends and evenings. You can work in a small team with a library assistant and a library technician. 

What you do every day

Each day you may collate and manage collections held within the library. These will have to be catalogued, classified and indexed for ease of retrieval, using the IT system. You will assist users to locate information they are seeking. You may hold training courses to aide library users with their searches of information. You may set up activities such as reading groups, and promote library services through displays and talks.

While you will train and supervise staff, you will also have to create and maintain the library data base, as well as answering any queries from the general public, students and teachers, through letters, email, or telephone. You will also need to spend some time keeping up to date with new publications and selecting stock based on reviews or reader information.

Personal requirements that best fit this career

You will have good communication and organisational skills along with a strong focus toward customer service. You will have knowledge of computers and how to work with them. You enjoy working within a team environment and are able to work under pressure at times. Have a strong belief in the right to the free flow of information and access to information is a common value among librarians. You are logical in your thinking at all times.

Best thing about this career

The role of the librarian is rewarding in that you are at the “forefront” of information management. You are constantly involved in using the latest technologies to disseminate information. Your knowledge is constantly expanding and you’re in demand for trivia nights!

Worst thing about this career

The users of the library do not fully understand the efforts and expertise that is required to locate, retrieve and evaluate the information provided for them. There is a tedium associated with keeping the resources organised and there never seems to be enough space to accommodate presentation of new information.