Career: Librarians
In our era of the "information explosion," it seems that just about anything you want to know is a mouse-click away. But do you ever feel overwhelmed by all the data on the Internet? Have you ever worried about whether the source you found for your research paper is accurate?
If so, go to the pros -- or consider becoming one. Today's librarians are experts in using technology to help others find all types of information.
Librarians help people find information in sources such as books, magazines, and the Internet. They collect, catalog, and organize information. Increasingly, they use computers to do these tasks.
“I like the feeling that I can learn about anything with the resources at my fingertips.”
Virginia, Young Adult Librarian
Are You Ready To...?
- Help visitors find information
- Order and catalog materials
- Keep up on advances in library technology
- Supervise employees
It Helps to Be...
Organized and efficient, excited about learning new things, and eager to help others. You'll enjoy this field if you are equally comfortable with people, books, and technology.
Make High School Count
- Volunteer or work at your school or neighborhood library. Observe staff members at work and find out how the library's information is organized.
- Take psychology to develop your communication skills and computer classes to get comfortable using technology.
- Pay attention to your interests, such as working with kids or looking at old photographs. These could provide clues about what kind of librarian you'd like to become. Librarians specialize in everything from classical music to young adult literature.
- Make the most of your time in class. Together, your classes will help you grasp the information our culture values and understand how that information is organized.
“My advice to a young person pursuing this career would be to learn a lot about computers.”
Ruth, Systems Librarian
Outlook
Government economists expect jobs for librarians to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through 2016.
Because many librarians will retire soon and fewer people have entered the profession recently, demand for librarians could grow. On the other hand, increased Internet use could slow job growth. The fastest job growth in library science will be among non-library jobs (in business, for example).
Compensation
Traditionally, librarians have been mostly women, and their salaries have been low given the education and effort required. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, librarians earned an average of $50,860 in 2006.
