Librarian Job Description

With the advent of new technology, the role of a librarian is no more limited to keeping records of books on paper. These days libraries are equipped with computers, Internet, informative CDs, DVDs, etc. Thus the librarian has to keep himself/herself updated with all these technologies. The basic job of a librarian is to maintain all the informative sources available in the library. Let us take a look at the educational requirements to become a librarian.

Educational Requirements

Supervisory skills, good communication skills, public relation, organizational skills, customer service skills, computer skills and good general knowledge are some of the basic requirements to become a librarian. To start with the librarian career, one has to obtain a bachelor's degree in Library Science or Information Science. This degree may provide you career opportunities as school librarian. But there are many schools and universities that require a librarian who has a master's degree in Library Science (MLS). Some of the academic institutes require qualification as librarian and teacher. Such librarians need to have specialization in the field they teach.

Many of the public and academic libraries prefer to appoint a librarian who has obtained a master's degree in Library Science. To work for Federal Government, one has to either obtain a MLS degree or equivalent degree with enough work experience. For further specialization, one can opt for either reference, technical services or children services. To get administrative position in the library, one has to obtain a PhD in Library and Information Science. Librarian certification courses are available for those who do not have an undergraduate degree in library science. The educational requirements for librarian may change according to the institute and state.

Job Description of a Librarian

The duties of a librarian who works at the public library differs from the one who works at the school library. The school performs the following duties.

• Select and order books required by the students.
• Teach and guide the students with easy access of the books.
• Return books to shelves, repair damaged books and maintain catalog.
• Encourage the students for reading and using library resources.
• Make library an interesting place for students by making them understand importance of a library.
• Help the students to use the information in electronic forms.
• Arrange special programs to teach students to use the catalogs, computer database, index to periodicals, etc.

There are three basic services involved in the job of a librarian, these include, administrative services, technical services and user services. User services are nothing but guiding and assisting the user with library services. The librarian has to understand the need of the user and suggest him the information that will fulfill his needs.

The librarian may also guide the user with the methods of how to find the required information. He/she may also guide the user with other services like the Internet. Administrative services involve management and planning of the informative material available in the library. The librarian has to make negotiations for the contracts involved in the purchase of the informative material. Technical services deal with maintaining records in the catalog. Other than this, a librarian should display notices about the latest informative material available at the library. He/she should also take care that the library discipline is maintained by its users and there is none who is disobeying the rules.

This was a summary on librarian job description. According to a survey, the average salary of a librarian is $55,610 per annum. A profession as a librarian will earn you a lot of respect. Moreover, this is one job where you get to interact with the users and gain a lot of knowledge.