Librarians

Career Description: Administer libraries and perform related library services. Work in a variety of settings, including public libraries, schools, colleges and universities, museums, corporations, government agencies, law firms, non-profit organizations, and healthcare providers. Tasks may include selecting, acquiring, cataloguing, classifying, circulating, and maintaining library materials; and furnishing reference, bibliographical, and readers' advisory services. May perform in-depth, strategic research, and synthesize, analyze, edit, and filter information. May set up or work with databases and information systems to catalogue and access information.

Industry: Education, Training, and Library

Other Job Titles for Librarians:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Compile lists of overdue materials, and notify borrowers that their materials are overdue.
• Design information storage and retrieval systems, and develop procedures for collecting, organizing, interpreting, and classifying information.
• Develop and index databases that provide information for library users.
• Negotiate contracts for library services, materials, and equipment.
• Provide input into the architectural planning of library facilities.
• Collect and organize books, pamphlets, manuscripts, and other materials in specific fields, such as rare books, genealogy, or music.
• Plan and participate in fundraising drives.
• Perform public relations work for the library, such as giving televised book reviews and community talks.
• Write proposals for research or project grants.
• Search standard reference materials, including online sources and the Internet, to answer patrons' reference questions.
• Analyze patrons' requests to determine needed information, and assist in furnishing or locating that information.
• Teach library patrons to search for information using databases.
• Keep records of circulation and materials.
• Supervise budgeting, planning, and personnel activities.
• Check books in and out of the library.
• Explain use of library facilities, resources, equipment, and services, and provide information about library policies.
• Review and evaluate resource material, such as book reviews and catalogs, in order to select and order print, audiovisual, and electronic resources.
• Code, classify, and catalog books, publications, films, audiovisual aids, and other library materials based on subject matter or standard library classification systems.
• Locate unusual or unique information in response to specific requests.
• Direct and train library staff in duties such as receiving, shelving, researching, cataloging, and equipment use.
• Respond to customer complaints, taking action as necessary.
• Organize collections of books, publications, documents, audiovisual aids, and other reference materials for convenient access.
• Develop library policies and procedures.
• Evaluate materials to determine outdated or unused items to be discarded.
• Develop information access aids such as indexes and annotated bibliographies, web pages, electronic pathfinders, and on-line tutorials.
• Plan and deliver client-centered programs and services such as special services for corporate clients, storytelling for children, newsletters, or programs for special groups.
• Compile lists of books, periodicals, articles, and audiovisual materials on particular subjects.
• Arrange for interlibrary loans of materials not available in a particular library.
• Assemble and arrange display materials.
• Confer with teachers, parents, and community organizations to develop, plan, and conduct programs in reading, viewing, and communication skills.
• Plan and supervise class projects, field trips, visits by guests, or other experiential activities, and guide students in learning from those activities.
• Involve parent volunteers and older students in children's activities, to facilitate involvement in focused, complex play.
• Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops to maintain and improve professional competence.
• Perform administrative duties such as assisting in school libraries, hall and cafeteria monitoring, and bus loading and unloading.
• Attend staff meetings, and serve on committees as required.
• Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Provide disabled students with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities such as restrooms.
• Sponsor extracurricular activities such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests.
• Write instructional articles on designated subjects.

Emerging Tasks

• Author or publish professional articles, internal documents, and instructional materials.
• Complete minor repairs and cleaning of library resources, equipment, and facilities, such as dusting and fixing printer paper jams.
• Confer with colleagues, faculty, and community members and organizations, to conduct informational programs, make collection decisions, and determine library services to offer.
• Develop and maintain databases that provide information for library users.
• Develop, maintain, and troubleshoot information access aids, such as databases, annotated bibliographies, web pages, electronic pathfinders, software programs, and on-line tutorials.
• Engage in professional development activities, such as taking continuing education classes and attending or participating in conferences, workshops, professional meetings, and associations.
• Evaluate vendor products and performance, negotiate contracts, and place orders.
• Keep up to date records of circulation and materials, maintain inventory, and correct cataloging errors.
• Plan and teach classes on topics such as information literacy, library instruction, and technology use.
• Represent library or institution on internal and external committees.
• Review and evaluate materials using book reviews, catalogs, faculty recommendations, and current holdings to select and order print, audiovisual, and electronic resources.
• Supervise daily library operations, budgeting, planning, and personnel activities, such as hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations.
• Teach library patrons basic computer skills, such as how to search for information using computerized databases.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• answer customer or public inquiries
• arrange library materials
• arrange merchandise display
• assist patrons in finding materials
• catalog or classify materials or artifacts
• classify information according to content or purpose
• compile bibliographies of specialized materials
• conduct fund raising activities
• conduct training for personnel
• consult with customers concerning needs
• consult with parents or teachers to develop programs
• design library displays
• determine what additional materials to order
• develop arts-related information or index systems
• develop or maintain databases
• develop policies, procedures, methods, or standards
• direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
• disseminate knowledge of literature or languages
• follow data storage procedures
• index information resources
• investigate customer complaints
• maintain records, reports, or files
• make presentations
• monitor and control library resources
• negotiate business contracts
• order or purchase supplies, materials, or equipment
• organize reference materials
• provide information about facilities
• resolve customer or public complaints
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use knowledge of multi-media technology
• use library or online Internet research techniques
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use public speaking techniques
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• work with public in selecting books or materials
• work with public in using reference tools or finding materials
• write research or project grant proposals
• use motivational techniques in education
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use public speaking techniques
• use teaching techniques
• write research or project grant proposals
• write technical health or medical documents

Overall Experience
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Job Training
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Education
A bachelor's degree is the minimum formal education required for these occupations. However, many also require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Examples
These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include librarians, lawyers, aerospace engineers, physicists, school psychologists, and surgeons.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$24.51
• Average annual wage (2007) - $50,970.00

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 3.63%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 5,754
• Employment (2006): 158,373

• Computer and Information Systems Managers
• Counter and Rental Clerks
• Education Administrators, Elementary and Secondary School
• Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
• First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Office and Administrative Support Workers
• Food Service Managers
• Library Technicians
• Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education
• Sociologists