Librarian

What does a career as a librarian involve?

Librarians collect, organise and look after library materials, and make them available to library users.

Their work can involve a wide range of areas such as: create and implement library and information programs, select and buy new books, record and organise library materials, management and organisation of collections, update and maintain databases, manage records and archive collections, develop information literacy programs which teach people how to search catalogues and databases, keep up to date with research on numerous topics to help people find specific information, staff management bibliographical work.

Librarians may do all, or just some of these tasks, depending on the size of the library and their areas of specialty.

What qualifications or subjects do I need?

Subject such as English and History are useful when studying to become a librarian, both of which can be studied under a Bachelor of Arts. You will also need to add to your studies with a Postgraduate degree, diploma or certificate in library and information studies.

Other qualifications may also be useful. University of Waikato Librarian Kathryn Parsons also completed a Certificate in Adult Teaching.

"This was valuable in teaching me presentation skills and learning styles which I could use when speaking and presenting information to individuals and groups."

To enhance librarian skills with teaching knowledge as Kathryn has done, students may choose Education Studies as one of their majors while they study towards a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Social Sciences. The University also offers a Graduate Diploma of Teaching through the School of Education.

Work experience is an important step towards becoming a librarian. Students should consider part-time or volunteer work while they study, such as working as a library assistant or in a bookshop, research and computer work or archives and record management work.

What skills are needed?

As a librarian you will need to have knowledge of different methods of finding and organising information, the ability to evaluate this material, good communication and teaching skills, and confidence in using computers, databases and the internet.

Librarians also need an understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi; the community and people who use the library; publishers, writers, reading trends and literature.

Librarians need to be patient and helpful when dealing with people, as well as accurate in the information they give out and be good at listening. Being a librarian means working as part of a team in a creative and intelligent workplace.

What career opportunities will I have?

New areas are developing all the time which utilise the skills of librarians.

Cataloguers can provide metadata for web material, indexing and search strategies, improving access to online resources.

Librarians may work in museum libraries, and many corporate companies are now seeking the reference skills of librarians and employing them under various titles, such as Information Manager.

Library work can also extend to that of an Archivist - Archivists approve, organise, and look after historically valuable documents, records and information. They also provide assistance and knowledge about archives to individuals and organisations.

For more information see:
http://www.lianza.org.nz/development/education/qualifications.html
http://www.careers.govt.nz

Thank you to Kathryn Parsons for her advice

See Also:

Graduate Profiles
Guidelines and Requirements for the BA
Guidelines and Requirements for the BSocSc