Job Profile
Librarians have to closely follow the recent developments in the media and print industry and also the recent computer technology. They are also required to obtain and manage the fresh materials in the library and do away with the outdated stuff. They also head a team of subordinates and volunteers who loan and put on hold the library's stuff. To maintain a library successfully, cooperation is vital. A librarian can specialize in three fields which are user, technical or administrative services.
Academics & Training
One generally needs a master's in library science to become a public librarian. State licensing is generally required to become a public school librarian. The new age technologies have redefined the role of library from just being a place full of papers to now also keeping e-resources. And the role of a librarian has also been redefined as information professional. The people vying for this profession should have their training started from school. They must join the professional organizations of their area and start building a network. One can also get employed for a summer job and get trained while studying.
Skill sets
A master's degree these days isn't enough and one needs to add extra booty to their knowledge. One should usually specialize in an area and get a doctoral or a professional degree in the particular subject. The areas can be anything from medicine, law, business, engineering, and the natural and social sciences. For instance, a librarian of a law firm can have both the law and library sciences degrees.
Prior Experience
Schools and colleges are the best time when one can gain relevant experience through summer jobs, part time jobs etc., and these experiences can later act very rewarding. One should also become a member of organizations like American Library Association and the Special Libraries Association (SLA).
Employment
Librarians in public schools are usually full time and have similar working hours as the teachers. The employment opportunities are decent in this field even after the advent of new technology. This is because people are needed to operate these technologies, understand the needs of the clients, and provide them with relevant information, while also keeping the library and computer system updated.
Salaries
Qualifications, work experience, and the organization one is working in all decide your salary. In general, the salary range is about $40,000 to $60,000, according to the pay scale of 2006.
Conclusion
Even after ending up with a job, keep all the professional memberships intact. These are the organizations which can provide you with precious contacts. The key to success lies in acquiring knowledge through your career and updating yourself with all the new technologies.
