The Librarian

In this age of information, the librarian is perhaps the most important profession in modern society.  With the relatively recent innovations in the field of information, someone is needed to provide these services to the public.  These individuals are known as librarians, which is essentially someone who makes information available to other people in many different types of mediums.  Mediums such as libraries, classrooms, archives, and museums.  The sharing of information is vital in today’s world, individuals’ have to exchange knowledge so that the world can function.  Without information, ignorance and archaic would expand and cause stagnation throughout not only the country but the world. 

The role of the librarian is to oversee and manage the day-to-day operations of the library.  The library is a place that processes different types of collected information.  Collected information such as but not limited to:  books, manuscripts, and journals.  These stored materials of information are necessary for providing citizens with the vital knowledge that they may need to accomplish their goals.  Goals that may or may not be job related, such as personnel improvement.  Such people simple want to better themselves and one way of doing this is by educating oneself, either through formal schooling or personnel research, which could lead to a more fulfilling and enriched life.  Libraries also contain encyclopedias and reference materials that students need to conduct their studies.

 

Individuals who choose to engage in formal schooling, better known as students, are required to produce certain works for the instructors of their classes.  These works require large amounts of research from different types of sources.  Having multiple sources helps to add validity to any type of paper or project, whether it is needed for school or not.  Finding different sources is easily and best done within the library, which is more user-friendly than an archive or museum.

Librarians have a vast array of responsibilities’ such as supervising subordinates, cataloging materials, and helping visitors find information.  It helps to be efficient, as well as, organized when preforming these tasks.  A graduate degree is also recommended from an accredited program in library and information science, with undergraduate work in education or English.  This level of education is going to increase the chances of securing employment in this career field.  According to the department of labor, librarians are expected to have a slower than average growth rate until 2020.  This is the result of limited job availability and will also cause very stiff competition.

As a librarian, you must have certain skills in order to be successful at the tasks and responsibilities that you are expected to perform.  Skills such as a strong desire to serve the library’s user community.  The ability to think analytically and to develop new or revised systems, procedures, and work flow.  The capacity to exercise initiative and independent judgement.  Having a knowledge of computers, the internet, and commercially available library software.  These are just a few examples of many more skills that an individual needs to have or learn in order to be able to have a career in a library.  Without these traits, anyone attempting to pursue a career in a library is simply wasting their time and should consider alternate employment.    

Besides the lack of employment options and slow growth rate, being a librarian is a very appealing and rewarding career.  The salary for a librarian is greater than average at $56,880, which compared to the national average of $51,939 is a moderately decent living.  You will develop skills that would be transferable to other jobs, if you decide on a career change.  The working conditions of the library are ideal and indoors, elimination harsh and varying weather conditions.  Librarians can teach if they choose, but even if they don’t they still are in the academic category.  Acquiring new knowledge is relatively much easier for librarians than most other professions.  And lastly, you’re helping people, which is the best job in the world.