Librarian

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Work Tasks

• Make sure that library books are collected and filed correctly
• Help people to find information they need
• May supervise other library workers, make budgets, and direct the activities of the whole library
• Read book reviews, publishers' notices, and catalogs to keep up with new books and decide what to buy for the library
• Work in public or school libraries, hospitals, religious organizations, law firms, and the government
• Work with computers, the Internet, virtual libraries, e-mail, books, magazines, newspapers, research reports, pamphlets, photographs, microfilm, microfiche, compact discs, audiotapes, videotapes, slides, records, films, studies, and articles

Salary, Size & Growth

• $69,500 average per year ($33.50 per hour)
• A medium occupation (148,200 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (0.8% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A master of library science (MLS) degree
• Employers Prefer: Work experience or a graduate degree in a specific subject. For example, a librarian responsible for a collection about a specific topic may need a Ph.D. in that subject.
• Skills/Courses: Librarians continue training to keep up with new information systems.
• Licensing/Certification: Requirements very by state.