CAREER RESEARCH:

LIBRARY SCIENCES

by Brennan K.

February 1, 2012

EARNINGS The average annual salary of all

librarians working in elementary or secondary schools in March 2009 was $54,650.

Earnings can be affected by different employers. The federal government pays more than the local government on average.

Earnings can also be affected by different jobs. Librarians can be employed as historians or school librarians, and each job pays differently.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS Entry to a library sciences program

requires a bachelor’s degree. Any undergraduate major is acceptable.

A master’s degree in library sciences is needed for the career.

A librarian certification is required, but the requirements to earn them vary by state and by job.

ENTRY LEVEL POSITIONS AND ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITIES The entry level position in library

sciences is a job as a librarian. Advancement opportunities include

administrative positions such as department head, library director, or chief information officer.

With experience, good communication skills, and good organization skills, these advancement opportunities become possible.

NATURE OF WORK AND WORKING CONDITIONS Librarians order books, develop

organizational systems for books, plan programs for the public, recommend books, and maintain databases.

Librarians work in information centers or libraries and spend a lot of time at their computer desks. Most have consistent job schedules.

JOB OUTLOOK 159,900 librarians were employed in

2008. 172,400 librarians are expected to be

employed in 2018. Employment of librarians is expected to

grow by 8 percent between 2008 and 2018, which is as fast as the average for all occupations.

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES A consistent job

schedule Access to books Being able to work

with and to help others

Working with technology

Spending a lot of time working at a computer desk

Working under deadlines

Keeping up with technology

NEEDED SKILLS AND TRAITS I enjoy developing organizational

systems. I love reading. I enjoy helping others pick out books to

read, and I enjoy helping others research.

These are all necessary skills and traits for a career in library sciences.

PREPARATION To prepare for becoming a librarian, I

can plan for getting a bachelor’s degree. I can also keep up my grades, so I can

get scholarships. Scholarships would help me graduate with a bachelor’s degree and with minimal debt.

I can continue to be a library aide at my high school and build necessary skills for the career.

SOURCES Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.

Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Librarians, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos068.htm (visited January 31, 2012).