library occupation

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Additional information for people who are considering a library occupation

The MLS degree provides general preparation for the library occupation, but some individuals specialize in a particular area, such as reference, technical services, or children's services. A Ph.D. degree in library and information science is advantageous for a college teaching position or for a top administrative job in a college or university library or large library system.

Usually, an MLS also is required for a library occupation in special libraries. In addition, most special librarians supplement their education with knowledge of the subject in which they are specializing, sometimes earning a master's, doctoral, or professional degree in the subject.

Areas of specialization for the library occupation include medicine, law, business, engineering, and the natural and social sciences. For example, a librarian working for a law firm may also be a licensed attorney, holding both library science and law degrees. Sometimes, a library occupation requires knowledge of a foreign language.

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State certification requirements for public school librarians vary widely. Most States require school librarians, often called library media specialists, to be certified as teachers and to have had courses in library science. An MLS is needed in some cases, perhaps with a library media specialization, or a master's in education with a specialty in school library media or educational media. Some States require certification of public librarians employed in municipal, county, or regional library systems.

Librarians participate in continuing education and training once they are on the job, in order to keep abreast of new information systems brought about by changing technology.

Experienced librarians can advance to administrative positions, such as department head, library director, or chief information officer.

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 Note: information is partially based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics