The size of the library and the frequency of the students’ requirements dictates the librarian’s duties and responsibilities. Higher education needs larger libraries for frequent extensive research compared to those of elementary school’s resources. The libraries in high schools may have single librarians whereas in more robust educational levels like universities and colleges usually needed a staff of librarians to run them headed by the head librarian. The college and university libraries may have clerks, and librarian technicians to assist students at a more fast paced environment while the assistants may be college student worker, repairs books, returning them and arrange them methodically.
A library can also be a classroom for library skill classes. Librarians teach the students how to recognize different kinds of books including, poetry, science, fiction, dictionaries, encyclopedias, nonfiction, novels, biography, history and fiction books and also how to classify them. The librarians have to make the class fun and interesting for students while giving them access to information they need. They should encourage the students to read more and make reading a good hobby. A librarian may also tell stories or do lectures in some classes.
Librarians also set up library exhibits to impress upon the viewer the importance of library catalogs during school fairs or events. Students mostly learn basic library research methods in high school, so it is important for librarians to better explain how to use the computer to locate books, use of catalogs, audio visual resources, and indexes to books and magazine published regularly.
Librarian jobs are not only limited to schools as they may work in some sectors’ specialized areas. They may work in private libraries of medical schools, law firms, television stations, and magazine and newspaper companies. Librarian jobs may also be available in museums, hospitals, advertising agencies. Since they are specialized librarians, they may have language capabilities, to translate foreign copies of periodicals, books, and articles. Some librarians may have a singular talent with an extensive knowledge of one particular field like medical, law or other scientific studies. They are responsible for assisting staff to do their research and by using online databases and presenting it to the researcher. Some specialize in anthropology, working in companies that may have multiple branches all over the world.
Librarian jobs are a highly skilled profession therefore training, experience, and education counts as one of the attributes a librarian must have. A librarian should preferably have a masters degree in library science and if you have a specific skill that is a plus. If you plan to work in a museum, you should have ample knowledge about history, anthropology, or art history. In some larger libraries like a technical one, you must have PhD. of Education and a library science master’s degree. In some smaller libraries, even a high school diploma is enough but you must have experience to get the job and you must absolutely have computer skills and good writing skills. To attain this you should gain enough bearing by being a volunteer or getting a summer job in libraries.
After obtaining such necessary experience, education and training, you can apply to companies offering librarian jobs. Watch out for some job openings in the schools or colleges near you or you may apply online, and don't forget the ads in newspapers. If you plan to work on a public library you should take the exam from the civil service commission.
Some librarians did not start that way, they come to work as a library technician, until they have enough education and experience to the administrative ladder until they become head librarians. Librarians are such resourceful researchers, analysts, evaluators and organizers that they are in demand to many companies.
The librarian jobs outlook seem to be looking good. While the education, and experience count for much in your position, Librarians can have as much as $99,000 annual income, that is the highest being a head Librarian and depending on the budget of the employer, a librarian can receive as much as $60,000 annual salary.
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