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Career Exploration

Librarians and Media Collections Specialists

Also called: Librarian, Library Media Specialist, Media Specialist, Reference Librarian

What they do:

Administer and maintain libraries or collections of information, for public or private access through reference or borrowing. Work in a variety of settings, such as educational institutions, museums, and corporations, and with various types of informational materials, such as books, periodicals, recordings, films, and databases. Tasks may include acquiring, cataloging, and circulating library materials, and user services such as locating and organizing information, providing instruction on how to access information, and setting up and operating a library's media equipment.

On the job, you would:
  • Check books in and out of the library.
  • Teach library patrons basic computer skills, such as searching computerized databases.
  • Review and evaluate materials, using book reviews, catalogs, faculty recommendations, and current holdings to select and order print, audio-visual, and electronic resources.
On the job, you'll need:

Business

  • customer service
  • administrative services

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Engineering and Technology

  • computers and electronics

Education and Training

  • teaching and course design

Basic Skills

  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • reading work related information

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say

Ideas and Logic

  • order or arrange things
  • group things in different ways

Conventional

People interested in this work like activities that include data, detail, and regular routines.

  • Cooperation
  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Initiative
  • Concern for Others

Data base user interface and query software

  • Blackboard software
  • Structured query language SQL

Library software

  • Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) databases
  • Surpass management system software

Web platform development software

  • Cascading style sheets CSS
  • Drupal

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Average.

New job opportunities are likely in the future.

Median Annual Salary: $61,660

Education

Master's degree is usually needed.