There are many duties and responsibilities that school librarians need to perform. They are required to examine the needs of the school and students in terms of books and publications. They accordingly place orders to ensure that the library is equipped with the useful and latest books that students would like to read. He is in charge of organizing the books properly as per the library norms. He also supervising issuing of books and makes arrangements to ensure that there are no thefts. Sometimes he may have to write summaries and abstracts. He might also need to conduct training sessions for the students and the teachers on how to access books in the library. He supervises the management and administration of the library. He guides the volunteers and the employees under him. He also makes attempts for fundraising and maintaining public relations. He also manages the library budget.
There are certain academic qualifications that are required in order to become a school librarian. All one needs is to hold is a bachelor's degree along with a teaching degree and specialization in library science. The schools that are searching for school librarians may require one to hold a master's degree with a teaching certificate and specialization in library science. This training can be obtained from reputed colleges, universities, and vocational institutes.
For library jobs some of the schools may demand specializing in child management. If one is aiming at acquiring library jobs in large universities or colleges one is expected to hold a doctoral degree in library science. So he will have to accordingly plan his education based on what he is aiming at. This will ensure him good prospects in the field of library jobs.
It is very obvious that only academics are not enough for library jobs. Along with it other basic skills are also very important. For school librarians possession of essential skills is mandatory. He must be familiar with the books that are available in the market and those that are upcoming and that which are going to be written in the near future. He as a librarian in school should be capable of providing a proper answer to unavailable required books. As the librarian has to interact with the students and teachers, he needs to have a great command on their communication skills. A librarian has to collect newspaper cuttings on the events and many more to provide information to students. He must also be capable of providing accurate information from the correct sources. A librarian in school will keep track of books that are in the library and prevent their getting misplaced. He should set penalty charges for teachers and students for late return of books. These are some of the many skill sets which a candidate for school library jobs should possess. Experience can promote to the position of a senior librarian.
The duties of a school librarian to a certain extent are similar to the duties of the school teacher and therefore they have a great career prospects like that of the school teachers. The schooling sector is growing at a rapid rate. So vacancies will be created for school librarians. Moreover, as seniors in the job retire or change profession, new openings will be generated.
The salary that one can earn as a librarian in school depends on the size and the location of the school as well as ones educational qualification and experience. A school librarian on average earns $50,000 annually.
There is always a need for a good librarian in school and so if one acquires the requirements for the job, there are great chances that he might get a good job in a school with a very good salary and make a great career ahead.
So what are you waiting for? Start preparing yourself for necessary qualification and skills that are required for school library jobs today. Or if you already have the educational requirements, skill set, and passion for the job then it is high time to head out for a rewarding job as a school librarian.
