What Does it Take to Be a Librarian?
Example of Librarian Job 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.
A Day in the Life of a Librarian
- Write proposals for research or project grants.
- Perform public relations work for the library, such as giving televised book reviews and community talks.
- Code, classify, and catalog books, publications, films, audio-visual aids, and other library materials based on subject matter or standard library classification systems.
- Assemble and arrange display materials.
- Organize collections of books, publications, documents, audio-visual aids, and other reference materials for convenient access.
- Engage in professional development activities, such as taking continuing education classes and attending or participating in conferences, workshops, professional meetings, and associations.
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Librarian Needed Skills
When polled, Librarians say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
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.
Other Librarian Job Titles
- Children’s Librarian
- Medical Record Librarian
- Outreach Librarian
- Serials Librarian
- Film Librarian
What Kind of Librarian Job Opportunities Are There?
There were about 138,200 jobs for Librarian in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 9% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 12,400 new jobs for Librarian by 2026. There will be an estimated 14,500 positions for Librarian per year.

The states with the most job growth for Librarian are Utah, Nevada, and Texas. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Maine, or Alaska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Librarians Make A Lot Of Money?
The typical yearly salary for Librarians is somewhere between $34,630 and $93,050.

Librarians who work in District of Columbia, California, or Washington, make the highest salaries.
How much do Librarians make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $54,470 |
Alaska | $71,180 |
Arizona | $49,240 |
Arkansas | $53,310 |
California | $81,580 |
Colorado | $63,960 |
Connecticut | $70,710 |
Delaware | $70,820 |
District of Columbia | $85,330 |
Florida | $57,340 |
Georgia | $60,650 |
Hawaii | $67,800 |
Idaho | $44,630 |
Illinois | $57,680 |
Indiana | $47,870 |
Iowa | $47,690 |
Kansas | $45,580 |
Kentucky | $58,440 |
Louisiana | $52,540 |
Maine | $51,010 |
Maryland | $72,470 |
Massachusetts | $70,860 |
Michigan | $51,780 |
Minnesota | $64,550 |
Mississippi | $46,400 |
Missouri | $53,450 |
Montana | $50,870 |
Nebraska | $51,070 |
Nevada | $69,390 |
New Hampshire | $56,360 |
New Jersey | $67,700 |
New Mexico | $51,650 |
New York | $68,520 |
North Carolina | $55,020 |
North Dakota | $55,250 |
Ohio | $55,090 |
Oklahoma | $44,270 |
Oregon | $63,450 |
Pennsylvania | $57,530 |
Rhode Island | $69,010 |
South Carolina | $57,650 |
South Dakota | $41,480 |
Tennessee | $55,010 |
Texas | $60,810 |
Utah | $50,790 |
Vermont | $48,370 |
Virginia | $69,480 |
Washington | $71,780 |
West Virginia | $41,560 |
Wisconsin | $57,330 |
Wyoming | $55,100 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Librarians
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Librarians may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Hypertext markup language HTML
- JavaScript
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Email software
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Structured query language SQL
- Database software
- Microsoft Publisher
- FileMaker Pro
- Extensible markup language XML
- PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor
- Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
- LexisNexis
How to Become a Librarian
What kind of Librarian requirements are there?

What work experience do I need to become a Librarian?

Where do Librarians Work?

Librarians work in the following industries:

Related Careers
Those who work as a Librarian sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Diliff via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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