Are you interested in becoming a school librarian? Maybe you have a child who is already obsessed with the subject, or you are fascinated by the job and the people involved.
Well, let’s introduce you to the simple steps involved in becoming a librarian.
The job of a librarian is a popular one. There are many ways to become a librarian and several different career options. A librarian can work for a school district or be employed by a private firm looking for someone to help maintain their collection.
The salary a librarian can earn depends on several factors, but the most important determining factor is the educational background and experience that the librarian possesses.
Many jobs are related to libraries, such as reference librarians and circulation librarians. Reference librarians assist the public library system in providing catalogues and reference books. Most public libraries have a reference desk where individuals can request information and browse books.
A circulation librarian collects books and other items that are in the library system and delivers them to the individuals who request them.
The primary duty of a librarian is to help academic and research enthusiasts find data for professional or personal use. It’s an interesting profession with a good annual paycheck, one that involves organizing, managing, and providing information resources.
Who Is a Librarian?
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a librarian is the keeper or manager of a library.
A librarian is solely responsible for acquiring books, journals, databases and other information resources for a library’s collections. Librarians are professionals who assist library users find information resources either for personal or professional use.
Their job also includes guiding library patrons on how to use the information retrieved from the library.
Librarians can work in a variety of information resource settings- such as public libraries, academic libraries, parliamentary libraries, school libraries, and archives.
How to become a librarian
The requirements to become a librarian depend on the type of library that you want to work in. A librarian can work as an information service professional in public libraries, school libraries, parliamentary libraries, and academic libraries.
To become a librarian, you must be involved in the day-to-day activities of library circulation, collection maintenance, shelving, inventory control, and much more.
How to become a librarian through on-campus programs
Many public libraries that offer training in how to become a librarian do so through On-Campus Programs.
These courses are offered in two parts. The first part involves learning the basics of library operations, organization, and administration. This includes information on how to handle most everyday activities such as handling paper, managing borrowing, and maintaining records.
The second part of the program consists of training in specific areas of the library. An individual who completes the program can be considered a licensed librarian.
Most public libraries require potential librarians to undergo this training. Private facilities do not require a background in this type of work.
How to Become a School Librarian | Course requirements
A private institution that offers on-campus study programs also offers a career path in the field. The courses required for this coursework vary from institution to institution. Most community colleges offer courses in public relations, history and government, and English.
A few colleges and universities also offer courses in professional writing, college and business administration, history and sociology, and even journalism. Private colleges and universities that offer degrees in library science typically focus on teaching methods, management styles, and bookkeeping for their courses.
Many public libraries offer job assistance for those who want to pursue a career in the field. Some libraries also have internship programs for college and university students interested in the field.
Finally, there are many programs available for individuals who already have a bachelor’s degree in library science and would like to pursue a master’s degree as well.
What are the duties of a librarian?
In almost all schools, one or more individuals will be assigned to the duties of a school librarian. This individual is usually a part-time employee who works in the school library during school hours and then leaves once school is dismissed for the day.
This individual may also be responsible for the care and maintenance of the school’s reference books and other informational resources, as well as being responsible for some of the school administration work.
If the school has a computer registry, it is the librarian’s responsibility to maintain that registry and make sure that all of the computers in the school are properly maintained.
In many schools, a school librarian position may not be filled until later in the graduate program. This is because some schools require that incoming students spend one or two years learning to become a school librarian first.
While this does not guarantee a librarian position, it does demonstrate to potential employers that the student has a commitment to their education and realizes that they will have to spend some time working in an actual library.
One of the most popular positions for a librarian when starting in his or her career is to stay in the school library as an associate librarian. In this role, the librarian is typically involved with many different aspects of the school’s academic and co-curricular activities.
The duties of this position often involve the coordination of many different services that are offered by the school library, including the provision of reference materials, the maintenance of the school’s databases, providing support to the school library computer database system, the care and maintenance of the school’s book inventory, and much more.
Do librarians make good money? | Librarian salary
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2022, the median annual income for librarians and library media specialists is $61,660.
The annual income of librarians can depends on years of work experience,chosen library specialty, standard of education, and location.
Talking about location, a liberain in New York can earn an average annual income of $60,983 according to Indeed.com.
The U.S. Bereau of Labor Statistics also suggest that employment of librarians and library media specialist is expected to increase by 3% from 2022 to 2032.
Each year, approximately 13,700 new job openings for librarians and library media specialists are projected in the next decade.