A librarian is a person trained in information science working at a local library, school, or government.
They are responsible for managing a vast amount of information starting from classic books to modern responsibilities which include audio and video recording and other digital resources.
The modern era has presented us with different types of librarians such as public service librarians, technical service librarians, archivists, systems librarians, outreach librarians, collections development librarians, school librarians, and many others.
While women make up the majority of librarians, relatively few of them fit the stereotype of grouchy old ladies.
Librarians are really helpful, and they come in handy when we are really curious.
Because of their diverse backgrounds, they are experts in a variety of disciplines and may become experts in any field.
They establish relationships with their communities and connect them to key resources.
Worth Being A Librarian?
Yes, it’s worth being a librarian if you are passionate about books and you want to help others in finding information for personal and professional purposes.
Librarians manage the staff and they develop information programs and systems for the public.
They organize information in a way that meets the needs of users effectively.
They also support the freedom to read.
They champion the right to access information for all mankind regardless of their creed, race, or religion.
Those who choose to become a librarian are into books and knowledge.
This role allows them to share their passion with others and encourages them to love books.
It is rewarding to help others, introduce them to new books, and make it easier to access information.
Easy Getting A Librarian Job?
Getting a librarian’s job is not easy. It can somewhat be difficult with a turnover of Library staff being low and low growth in the industry.
Libraries, especially public libraries are not well funded, with restricted budgets preventing the hiring of staff.
These days, libraries have also become competitive.
Before finding a full-time position as a librarian, you might have to do multiple contract jobs, work as an assistant or maybe part-time librarianship for building your resume as well as networking.
Stressful Being a Librarian?
Being a librarian is not a stressful occupation. There can be times when there are lots of jobs and customers to serve, but typically being a Librarian is a low-stress job.
One area that causes stress for some Librarian’a is the low median wage of $62,020 per annum.
A low wage considering racked up a significant amount of debt to obtain a Master’s Degree.
As a result, this can be a cause of financial stress.
There is a misconception that librarians sit around all day and they reading on the clock.
The truth is librarians are on their toes almost all the time.
They are helping patrons, ordering books, and constantly managing programs.
They are expected to read lots of books but that is done on their own time, but while they are working.
Some librarians haven’t touched a book in the context of their job. They don’t buy books or classify them.
Librarians are responsible for the democratization of information.
Their job entails helping people find what they are looking for.
They also train others on how to become autonomous in their research.
Even those who love to give to the community can sometimes feel anxious, overwhelmed, and exhausted.
Some days will demand more attention and compassion from you than others.
But these challenges will motivate you so the occasional stressful day is not always bad.
Boring Being Librarian?
Being a librarian is not boring. For a librarian, every day is different from helping researchers, organising reading groups, helping curators, making it easier for users to find their information, and talking with a range of different people.
When people picture a librarian, they remember a mean old lady wearing glasses, how has nothing to do better with their lives than sitting all day.
These are childhood assumptions that need to be blown out of the water.
A librarian’s job satisfaction is usually high.
The ones who take up this profession are usually dedicated individuals who are passionate about books and learning and are devoted to the continued development of their library.
Hence, they never get bored!
What qualifications do Librarians need?
Librarians typically need a master’s degree in library science (MLS). School librarians and library media specialists typically need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related field, along with a teaching certificate; requirements vary by state.
To become a librarian, you must have a degree with a major in information sciences, information studies, and information media.
It’s imperative to have a master’s degree in MLS from an ALA-accredited program if you want to apply for public, special, or academic libraries.
For school libraries, you might not need an MLSA but meet certain teaching requirements.
You would have to take the state-required tests for becoming a public school librarian.
To for as a librarian in k-12 schools, you will need to apply for a license as well.
Apart from education, you must have the following skills to become a librarian.
- Research Skills
- Computer and Internet Literacy
- Strong Interpersonal Skills
- Communication Skills
- Writing Skills
- Critical Thinking Skills
Once you have proven yourself as a librarian, you may be promoted to a managerial position depending on the library you work for.
This implies you’ll become more strategy-driven and have fewer interactions with your library’s readers and stock.
Librarian Degree Worth Having?
Yes, it is worth having a Librarian Degree if you are passionate about research, reading and helping people learn, however you need to be prepared for low wages and difficulty find a job.
A recent poll found that most librarians are content with their MLIS degrees and would recommend them to others, according to the poll.
Nine out of ten people (89%) said the degree was worth the time and money they put into it.
Only a small percentage of those polled said they would not recommend the degree to others.
Those who stay in librarianship are more likely to value their MLIS.
Do remember, while library work may be worthwhile, an MLIS is not required for all library positions.
Unless they’re hiring for a professional position, some businesses consider having a degree to be a liability.
You can always earn your degree later if you discover you enjoy being a librarian and want to pursue the most rigorous library jobs.
Librarian A Dying Profession?
Librarianship is far from a dying profession. In fact, this field is rapidly transforming. The current information age requires librarians to be more efficient and responsible when it comes to curating information.
Hiring managers agree that there is an ongoing demand for librarians.
Like everything else in this world, library science is changing as well.
It won’t be wrong to say that it’s evolving.
To organize information, make it useful and universally accessible, librarians are required.
The shift to technology has opened new horizons for librarians.
Library science isn’t disappearing any time soon.
The field of today needs innovative and trained professionals now more than ever.
Final Thoughts
A librarian is an excellent job choice if you are a passionate book-lover who enjoys reading.
Candidates must, however, possess strong leadership abilities to join this profession.
Candidates also need to be prepared for a low median wage of $62k.
A Bachelor’s degree in Library Sciences is required for candidates who want to work as a librarian.
For pursuing a higher position an MLIS degree might be necessary as well.
Not only this, you will be meeting some cool coworkers who are well-read, cultured, and intelligent.
Meeting people with a myriad of backgrounds, skills, and interests can make the job even more rewarding.
