As a librarian, you would be responsible for running library services. You would be involved in working at public libraries, where people can borrow books, multimedia, and music, or in an organisation's library, such as those in colleges, universities, hospitals, and schools.
Your duties as a librarian may vary depending on the function and size of the library. These may include utilising IT systems to classify, catalogue, and index stock; dealing with enquiries; organising resources so that users may find items easy to locate; helping library users in finding resources; organising library services for certain sectors of the community including the housebound, pre-school groups, and ethnic minority groups; keeping updated in regards to selecting new stock and publications; planning activities; and promoting library services via talks, displays, and community events.
People suitable for this job must possess relevant skills including customer service skills, organisational skills, excellent written and spoken communication skills, good research skills, the ability to manage others, and computer skills, primarily in utilising the internet and databases.
As a preparation in starting this career, you can study for university qualification or find a job as a library assistant to gain work-based training and experience. Most librarians qualify through a degree in any subject, followed by a postgraduate qualification in information management accredited by Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals ("CILIP"), or a degree in information management or librarianship recognised by CILIP. Degree courses commonly take three or four years of full-time study to be completed. You can also study part time in some universities; however, this may take you longer to complete.
As a librarian, your salary will vary depending on the type of library where you are working. The CILIP generates salary scale guidelines that are updated every year. For public libraries, newly qualified librarians are paid ?19,145 to ?23,300 a year, while chartered librarians are paid ?23,300 to ?28,000. Heads of service usually receives ?47,000 or more.
Librarians usually work from 9am to 5pm; however, evening hours may be required. Job-share or part-time hours are also available. You would typically be based at one library, although some tasks require you to travel in different sites, or be engaged in community events.
Once you are working as a librarian or still studying a relevant course, you can move towards applying for membership of CILIP. This membership will provide you access to advice and support and opportunities for professional development training. You can improve your knowledge and skills through taking short courses structured by the Association for Information Management ("ASLIB"), or the CILIP. Additionally, you could also take an appropriate Masters degree. These are mostly available through distance learning or part-time study. To achieve professional status that is recognised by academic and public libraries, you could work for chartered membership of CILIP.
Although most of the jobs available are in public library services, you could be employed in university, college, or school libraries, or libraries for specialist areas, for instance, health care and law.
When working in larger libraries, you could be promoted to a senior job with management duties, or be given responsibility for a collection or special services. CILIP currently issues vacancy information for graduates, members, and final year undergraduates.