Librarians

Description

Administer libraries and perform related library services. Work in a variety of settings, including public libraries, educational institutions, 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.

Tasks

Analyze patrons' requests to determine needed information, and assist in furnishing or locating that information.
Search standard reference materials, including online sources and the Internet, to answer patrons' reference questions.
Teach library patrons basic computer skills, such as searching computerized databases.
Plan and teach classes on topics such as information literacy, library instruction, and technology use.
Review and evaluate materials, using book reviews, catalogs, faculty recommendations, and current holdings, to select and order print, audiovisual, and electronic resources.
Locate unusual or unique information in response to specific requests.
Explain use of library facilities, resources, equipment, and services, and provide information about library policies.
Plan and deliver client-centered programs and services such as special services for corporate clients, storytelling for children, newsletters, or programs for special groups.
Respond to customer complaints, taking action as necessary.
Develop library policies and procedures.
Organize collections of books, publications, documents, audiovisual aids, and other reference materials for convenient access.
Confer with colleagues, faculty, and community members and organizations to conduct informational programs, make collection decisions, and determine library services to offer.
Develop, maintain, and troubleshoot information access aids, such as databases, annotated bibliographies, web pages, electronic pathfinders, software programs, and online tutorials.
Evaluate vendor products and performance, negotiate contracts, and place orders.
Direct and train library staff in duties such as receiving, shelving, researching, cataloging, and equipment use.
Evaluate materials to determine outdated or unused items to be discarded.
Engage in professional development activities, such as taking continuing education classes and attending or participating in conferences, workshops, professional meetings, and associations.
Compile lists of books, periodicals, articles, and audiovisual materials on particular subjects.
Represent library or institution on internal and external committees.
Code, classify, and catalog books, publications, films, audiovisual aids, and other library materials based on subject matter or standard library classification systems.
Develop and maintain databases that provide information for library users.
Design information storage and retrieval systems, and develop procedures for collecting, organizing, interpreting, and classifying information.
Keep up to date records of circulation and materials, maintain inventory, and correct cataloging errors.
Supervise daily library operations, budgeting, planning, and personnel activities, such as hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations.
Negotiate contracts for library services, materials, and equipment.
Arrange for interlibrary loans of materials not available in a particular library.
Check books in and out of the library.
Collect and organize books, pamphlets, manuscripts, and other materials in specific fields, such as rare books, genealogy, or music.
Author or publish professional articles, internal documents, and instructional materials.
Write proposals for research or project grants.
Compile lists of overdue materials, and notify borrowers that their materials are overdue.
Plan and participate in fundraising drives.
Assemble and arrange display materials.
Perform public relations work for the library, such as giving televised book reviews and community talks.
Provide input into the architectural planning of library facilities.
Complete minor repairs and cleaning of library resources, equipment, and facilities, such as dusting and fixing printer paper jams.

Knowledge

English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Clerical: Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Skills

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Abilities

Oral Comprehension: The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Written Comprehension: The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Oral Expression: The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Written Expression: The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Near Vision: The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Inductive Reasoning: The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Work Activities

Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
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.
Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Work Context

Electronic Mail: How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
Face-to-Face Discussions: How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled: How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
Telephone: How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Contact With Others: How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
Freedom to Make Decisions: How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
Structured versus Unstructured Work: To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
Deal With External Customers: How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?
Work With Work Group or Team: How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
Coordinate or Lead Others: How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?

Interests

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.
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.
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.
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.

Work Style

Cooperation: Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Adaptability/Flexibility: Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail: Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Integrity: Job requires being honest and ethical.
Concern for Others: Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Dependability: Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence: Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Self Control: Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Initiative: Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Analytical Thinking: Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

Work Values

Relationships: Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Working Conditions: Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Independence: Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Achievement: Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Support: Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Recognition: Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Related Occupations

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Education Administrators, Elementary and Secondary School

Food Service Managers

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

Library Technicians

Counter and Rental Clerks

First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers

Lay Titles

Access Services Librarian

Acquisitions Librarian

Audio-Visual Librarian

Bibliographer

Bookmobile Librarian

Branch or Department Chief Librarian

Catalog Librarian

Cataloger

Catalogue Librarian

Cataloguer

Chemical Librarian

Children's Librarian

Circulation Manager

Classifier

Collection Development Librarian

College Librarian

Coordinator of Learning Resources

Coordinator of Library Services

Digital Librarian

Director of Visual Education

Document Manager

Electronic Resources Librarian

Elementary Librarian

Elementary Library Media Specialist

Film Librarian

Government Documents Librarian

Head of Acquisitions

Head of Circulation Department

Head of Reference Services

High School Librarian

High School Library Media Specialist

Hospital Librarian

Information Scientist

Information Services Librarian

Institution Librarian

Instruction Librarian

Interlibrary Loan Services Librarian

International Broadcast Music Librarian

Law Librarian

Librarian

Librarian/Specialist

Library Circulation Department Chief

Library Director

Library Manager

Library Media Specialist

Library Supervisor

Media Center Specialist

Media Librarian

Medical Librarian

Medical Library Technician

Medical Record Librarian

Music Librarian

News Librarian

Outreach Librarian

Periodicals Librarian

Prison Librarian

Public Services Librarian

Record Librarian

Reference Librarian

Research Librarian

School Librarian

School Library Media Specialist

Serials Librarian

Special Collections Librarian

Special Library Librarian

Systems Librarian

Technical Services Librarian

University Librarian

Visual Education Director

Young Adult Librarian

Youth Services Librarian

National Wages and Employment Info

Median Wages (2008):: $26.62 hourly, $55,370 annual.

Employment (2008):: 140,280 employees