Careers in Librarianship

Public Librarian

A Public Librarian organizes, promotes and disseminates a wide array of library resources to meet the diverse needs of the community they serve.  Public Librarians can specialize in several areas of library operations including children’s and youth services, reference, information and technology, and administration.

Public Librarians typical work activities include keeping up to date with newly released publications and media, organizing and displaying the resources in an accessible way, providing reader advisory and reference services to the public and local businesses, developing and implementing programs for specific audiences, organizing reader development activities for children and adults, among many other responsibilities that vary depending on the size, budget and staffing levels of a particular library.

School Library Media Specialist

School Library Media Specialists work in public or private K-12 schools with students and teachers to facilitate access to a variety of information and literature that can be used to improve student academic achievement and literacy levels.

School Library Media Specialists also function as teachers of information literacy and assist students with learning how to properly and effectively use information available from a variety of sources.

Academic Librarian

Academic Librarians are employed by colleges and universities to serve a variety of research and educational needs of both students and faculty at their institutions.  Academic librarians also select, organize and disseminate information available through the library’s diverse collection of books, periodicals and databases. 

Academic Librarians can also be involved in providing classroom instruction on information literacy, managing the library’s online databases and website, and collaborating with faculty, instructors and IT staff on particular projects.

Special Librarian

Special Librarians are the information resource experts at their particular organization or business.  They are typically employed by corporations, government agencies, law firms and a variety of non-profit organizations like hospitals, museums and associations.

Special Librarians locate, organize and present data in a format most useful to their employer. Job activities can include verifying information from outside sources, conducting research, establishing internal databases, training employees on use of library resources, among many other duties depending on the type of employer.