Navigating the Path: Education Requirements for Aspiring Librarians

It’s easy to see why many people dream of becoming a librarian: you’re surrounded by books and knowledge, get to help people and spend your day in a quiet, peaceful environment. But the reality is a little different - and more rewarding. Librarians’ job duties are varied and it takes a lot of training to tackle this role. The profession of librarian has naturally undergone changes over the years, yet it remains one of the most impactful professions.

The Multifaceted Role of a Librarian

Instead, librarians’ job descriptions are multifaceted. Librarianship today goes far beyond shelving books or managing quiet reading rooms. These professionals help people find and evaluate information, preserve valuable records, support learning at all levels, and connect communities with the resources they need. They curate libraries’ selections, organize all library materials, help visitors find the right information, guide people through research, implement new technologies in the library such as online databases and e-book archives and create a community space by running events, workshops and more. The sheer variety of tasks librarians are involved in might be a turn-off if you are looking for a simple job.

“I’m a public librarian, and in my library system, which is Sarasota County, Florida, my staff spends a lot of their time instructing our users on the latest in technology,” said Renee Di Pilato, a USC Bovard College professor. “One of the things that we’re really excited about is we have a link to a culinary arts program and we have a new printer, it’s called an edible printer - basically it prints things that can be eaten.

Different Types of Librarians

There are different kinds of librarians, too. Public librarians are the people running your town’s library branch. There are also academic librarians, who often work at universities and assist people with academic research. Special librarians work in settings other than school or public libraries. They are sometimes called information professionals. Businesses, museums, government agencies, and many other groups have their own libraries that use special librarians. The main purpose of these libraries and information centers is to serve the information needs of the organization that houses the library. Therefore, special librarians collect and organize materials focused on those subjects. School librarians, sometimes called school library media specialists, typically work in elementary, middle, and high school libraries.

“Whenever I talk to other librarians, I think we all agree that the most fulfilling aspect of what we do is provide things that are useful for the people who are using libraries and library resources,” Hutchinson said.

Formal Education: The Prerequisite Master's Degree

Yes, a master’s degree from an accredited institution is required to become a librarian. An advanced level of education achievement is the most common requirement of librarianship careers. For all school librarians and most all other types of librarians require a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science.

“Most people are shocked to learn that many people will have two or three master’s degrees who work as librarians,” Miller said. “For example, if you’re a law librarian, you’ll have a J.D. And, of course, a bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite for a master’s degree. Around four of these years are spent in an undergraduate program.

The Value of a Master's Degree in Library Science

A master’s degree in library science doesn’t just teach people the necessary information science tools and research knowledge to succeed as a librarian.

“I think one of the best aspects of the USC Bovard College program is that it really has a foundation in management, and it gives people a real skillset to manage products … [and] teams,” Di Pilato said. “Some get master’s degrees and turn toward library science as part of a career transition, which allows you to bring the skills that you’ve developed in your previous career into librarianship,” Hutchinson said. For instance, law librarians might choose to get a J.D. Ullmann’s background is originally in anthropology, for example.

“I would say there are two kinds of people,” Ullmann said. “The one kind always wanted to be a librarian because they went to their school library and they loved it, or they had some kind of positive relationship with the library.

Program Duration and Options

Many library and information science master’s programs only take a year to complete. For example, USC Bovard College’s Master of Management in Library and Information Science can be completed in 12 months. Some masters programs in library and information science may be completed in one calendar year with full-time attendance, but the number of academic credit hours required for a master's degree varies from school to school. Some programs may take as long as two years, and may require a thesis and/or fieldwork. Most schools permit part-time attendance, and many have online education opportunities. No two library science online education programs are exactly alike, as they may offer various methods of delivery. Syracuse University’s iSchool offers a highly regarded Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science that is accredited by ALA. For those who need a more flexible option, iSchool also offers an Online Library and Information Science Master’s Degree program, which provides the same education but with the added convenience of the online format. For aspiring librarians who are specifically interested in working as school librarians, iSchool offers a School Media Concentration for the LIS master’s program.

Admission Requirements for Library School

Admission requirements vary from school to school, but most schools generally require a bachelor's degree and a minimum grade point average (usually a B). Many programs also require a minimum score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Some have no test requirements or will take test scores from alternative examinations, such as the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or the Miller Analogies Test. Many schools require letters of recommendation, and some hold personal interviews or request a statement of educational objectives from the applicant.

Specialization: Law Librarianship as a Case Study

The overwhelming majority of those working as law librarians have a graduate degree in library and information science. Most jobs require a master's degree from an American Library Association (ALA)-accredited institution. The names of the degrees vary: MLS, MLIS, MSIS, for instance, but all reflect an appropriate entry-level educational requirement for careers in the law librarianship profession.

The Law Degree Question

About one-third of all law librarians also have a law degree (JD or LLB) from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA), but fewer than 20% of the law librarian positions being filled require both degrees. Most positions require an MLS or its equivalent. Some, mostly law school libraries, also state a preference, or even a requirement, for a law degree. Typically, directors of law school libraries have faculty status, so they must have law degrees. In addition, many reference librarian positions in law schools require a law degree. On the other hand, there is rarely a law degree requirement for law librarian positions in law firms or corporations, or in county, court or other government law libraries.

Several schools offer a joint JD/MLS degree, where a student can earn a law degree and a library degree simultaneously. Check with each individual school for its requirements. Most of these joint degree programs require at least four years of study.

Read also: Becoming a Neonatal Nurse

What if You Already Have a Law Degree?

If you already have a law degree, but no MLS, should you invest in another 1-2 years of professional education? Surveys of recent job postings indicate that a law degree alone will qualify you for few professional positions in any kind of law library. There are some exceptions, especially if you are interested in eventually obtaining a library degree. The best advice is to obtain an MLS. You will be qualified for many more positions in law libraries, and you will be much better prepared to assume the challenges of librarianship in tomorrow's environment. So, to qualify for almost any professional position in a law library, you must have an MLS or its equivalent. You may want to consider also earning a law degree. Armed with both JD and MLS degrees, you will be qualified for additional professional positions in law librarianship.

Where to Obtain a Law Librarianship Education

There are many fine ALA-approved institutions that offer a master's degree in library and information science. Some offer courses in law librarianship and/or joint JD/MLS degree programs. Almost all library schools offer classes in general librarianship competencies, such as reference and research services, research instruction, library management, collection management, and organization and classification.

Recommended Coursework for Law Librarians

For a career in law librarianship, you will also need some subject specialization in the law. Subject competencies in law include an understanding of the legal system; knowledge of the legal profession and its terminology, including legal abbreviations and citation systems; knowledge of the literature of the law, including the legal documents issued by the various branches of government; and an understanding of the legal requirements and ethical considerations of the legal profession. Law librarians must have skills in legal research, legal bibliography, the organization of legal materials, law library administration, and knowledge of legal information systems. Most graduate programs also offer coursework on technology's role in organizing and accessing information, and in the latest online technology and library information systems. A good foundation in technology is essential for law librarianship. Law librarians should also be familiar with online databases, such as Westlaw and LexisNexis. Law librarians must be able to help patrons obtain desired information in any format and to facilitate access to library materials via online cataloging and classification. In addition, internship and fieldwork opportunities offered by a library school are an important consideration. Check out the school's placement or career services department. How will they help you get a job after you earn your degree? You may also want to look at the course offerings in other academic departments of the university you are considering.

Beyond the Classroom: Essential Skills and Experience

To become a librarian, you also need experience to prepare yourself for the daily challenges of managing library systems. Gain experience working in libraries or related fields. This could include volunteering, internships, or part-time jobs in libraries or similar settings. Building a strong understanding of library operations, cataloging systems, and customer service skills is crucial. For students, internships are one of the most suitable options to achieve that. Volunteering is another excellent option to build experience and gain insights into library operations. People in my community did not understand why I would volunteer my time at the library. But those words didn’t deter him. This self-driven learning proved invaluable when he went on to establish Local Bookable, a non-profit organization that supports community libraries in Vietnam. Today, his Vietnam Local Library Network boasts over 30 member libraries. Entry-level positions like library assistants or technicians can also provide great ways to gain experience.

Our student, Heather Crane, who was working in retail at the time, experienced this firsthand when she took a career aptitude test that suggested she would make an excellent librarian. I looked up the job requirements and realized I already had many of the same skills: customer service, instruction, inventory management, etc.

Qualities of a Successful Librarian

The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. Communication skills. Initiative. Interpersonal skills. Organizational skills. Librarians and library media specialists help patrons research topics efficiently. Reading skills. Librarians and library media specialists must be excellent readers.

Career Paths and Specializations

Many people assume that being a librarian is the same role everywhere, but in reality, library science offers a variety of career paths and specializations.

Some graduates become digital archivists, creating, collecting, storing and organizing digital data. Others seek to become competitive intelligence analysts, a role centered on monitoring and reporting industry and technical developments to predict how businesses’ competitors will behave. Still others pursue positions as knowledge management specialists, leading others in using traditional and digital approaches.

Librarian's job duties vary based on the type of library they work in, such as a public, school, or medical library. Academic librarians assist students, faculty, and staff in postsecondary institutions. They help students research topics related to their coursework and teach students how to access information. They also assist faculty and staff in locating resources related to their research projects or studies. Administrative services librarians manage libraries, prepare budgets, and negotiate contracts for library materials and equipment. Public librarians work in their communities to serve all members of the public. They help patrons find books to read for pleasure; conduct research for schoolwork, business, or personal interest; and learn how to access the library’s resources. School librarians, sometimes called school library media specialists, typically work in elementary, middle, and high school libraries. They teach students how to use library resources, including technology. Special librarians work in settings other than school or public libraries. Corporate librarians assist employees of private businesses in conducting research and finding information. Medical librarians, also called health science librarians, help health professionals, patients, and researchers find health and science information. Technical services librarians obtain, prepare, and organize print and electronic library materials. They arrange materials for patrons’ ease in finding information. User services librarians help patrons conduct research using both electronic and print resources. They teach patrons how to use library resources to find information on their own. This may include familiarizing patrons with catalogs of print materials, helping them access and search digital libraries, or educating them on Internet search techniques. Librarians plan outreach programs targeted toward different groups, such as story time for children.

Specific Requirements for School Librarians

This step is only required for school librarianship positions. Requirements for public school librarians and library media specialists vary by state. Public school librarians and library media specialists typically need a teacher’s certification. Some states require school librarians to pass a standardized test, such as the PRAXIS II Library Media Specialist test. Contact your state department of education for details about requirements in your state. Some states also require certification for librarians in public libraries. In Alabama, the field of librarianship offers various roles, each with its unique qualifications and responsibilities. Notably, Alabama school librarianship stands out due to standardized education, experience, and examination prerequisites mandated by state legislation. This legislation ensures a baseline standard for individuals aspiring to work as school librarians.

Salary and Job Outlook

The average salary for public librarians in 2019 was $65,339, according to a survey by the American Library Association-Allied Professional Association (ALA-APA). Meanwhile, the average salary for academic librarians in 2019 was $73,147, according to the ALA-APA survey. Librarianship offers a promising future in terms of financial earnings as well as job outlook. Data shows that the median annual wage for librarians and library media specialists is $64,320. The median annual wage for librarians and library media specialists was $64,320 in May 2024. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

Librarians and library media specialists held about 142,100 jobs in 2024. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Despite a decline by the public in traditional borrowing of materials, libraries still need librarians to host a variety of services and activities. Therefore, there will be a need for librarians to manage libraries and to help patrons find information. Parents value the learning opportunities that libraries present for children because libraries have information and learning materials that children often cannot access from home.

Work Environment

Most librarians and library media specialists typically work on the floor with patrons, behind the circulation desk, or in offices. Most librarians and library media specialists work full time, although part-time work is common. Public and academic librarians often work on weekends and evenings, and may work holidays. School librarians and library media specialists usually have the same work and vacation schedules as teachers, including summers off. Some librarians assist patrons with research.

The Evolving Landscape of Librarianship

“Professions are living organisms,” said Ruth Wallach, Academic Director of the Master of Management in Library and Information Science Program. The role of a librarian has changed quite a bit, especially with the rise of information and communication technologies (ICTs).

Staying Current in the Field

Achieving long-term success as a librarian requires actively engaging with the profession and continuously building skills. Build professional relationships with other librarians, educators, and professionals in the field. Professional conferences want young people to succeed. They want them to get practice. Another tip from Owen is the importance of starting early in the job search. While working as a research assistant during her graduate studies, she began applying for jobs over winter break in her final year. It’s also important to keep learning and stay current with the latest trends in library science. Attending workshops or taking online courses in new technologies can help expand your skill set. Therefore, now, librarianship requires a unique blend of library and information science competencies, which are necessary to meet the demands of the modern librarian role. At iSchool, we offer specialized programs that are designed to help you develop exactly those skills.

tags: #education #requirements #for #librarian