Is becoming a librarian right for me?
The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:
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How to become a Librarian
Here are the general steps you can take to become a librarian:
- Earn a bachelor's degree: You'll need to have a bachelor's degree in any field to apply to graduate library programs. Popular degrees include library science, English, history, or education.
- Get library experience: Try to get library experience while you're earning your bachelor's degree. Many libraries offer part-time or summer jobs for students.
- Apply to a graduate program: Look for a graduate program in library science or information science. Make sure it's accredited by the American Library Association (ALA). Some programs require the GRE or other admission tests.
- Complete your graduate program: The program typically takes one to two years to complete. You'll take courses on library organization, cataloging, reference work, and library technology.
- Consider getting a specialization: Many library science programs offer specializations, such as school librarianship, archives, or public libraries.
- Get certified: Some librarians choose to get certified by the ALA, although it's not always required.
- Look for jobs: Once you have your degree and any necessary certifications, start looking for library jobs that match your interests and qualifications. You can search job boards, network with other librarians, and check with library associations for job listings.
Certifications
Librarians can obtain various certifications to enhance their professional knowledge and skills. They can choose to pursue one or more of these certifications based on their interests and career goals.
- Master of Library Science (MLS): This is a graduate degree in library science and is the most common requirement for professional librarians.
- Certified Public Librarian (CPL): This certification is offered by the American Library Association (ALA) and requires passing an exam to demonstrate knowledge of public library administration, services, and collections.
- Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC): This certification is offered by the ALA and is designed for support staff working in libraries. It requires passing an exam and demonstrating competency in library services, technology, and communication skills.
- Specialist Certification in Library Administration (SCOLA): This certification is offered by the ALA and requires candidates to demonstrate proficiency in library administration through an exam.
- Digital Archives Specialist (DAS): This certification is offered by the Society of American Archivists and is designed for professionals working in digital archives. It requires passing an exam and demonstrating knowledge of digital preservation, metadata, and access.
- Information Governance Professional (IGP): This certification is offered by the Information Governance Certification Council and is designed for professionals working in records management, archives, and information governance.
- Certified Records Manager (CRM): This certification is offered by the Institute of Certified Records Managers and is designed for professionals working in records management. It requires passing an exam and demonstrating knowledge of records management principles, practices, and technologies.
Online Resources
There are numerous online resources available for librarians to enhance their professional knowledge, skills, and networks. The following are just a few examples of the many online resources available for librarians. Librarians can also connect with colleagues and peers through social media platforms, such as Twitter and LinkedIn, and participate in online forums and discussion groups.
- American Library Association (ALA) - The ALA is the oldest and largest library association in the world, providing a wide range of resources and services for librarians, including professional development, publications, conferences, and advocacy.
- Library of Congress - The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world and offers online resources for librarians, such as research guides, digital collections, and webinars.
- Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) - ACRL is a division of the ALA that focuses on academic libraries and offers resources and services such as professional development, publications, and networking opportunities.
- Library Journal - Library Journal is a publication that provides news, reviews, and other resources for librarians.
- Library Technology Guides - This website provides resources and news related to library technology, including software, hardware, and trends.
- OCLC - OCLC is a nonprofit library cooperative that offers a variety of online resources and services for librarians, including WorldCat, a global catalog of library collections.
- Infopeople - Infopeople is a training and consulting organization that offers online courses and webinars for librarians on various topics such as reference services, leadership, and technology.
- School Library Journal - School Library Journal is a publication that provides news, reviews, and resources for school librarians.
- Public Library Association (PLA) - PLA is a division of the ALA that focuses on public libraries and offers resources and services such as professional development, publications, and advocacy.