How to Become an Academic Librarian

This tool kit offers a list of items to consider when pursuing an academic library position. There is no singular path that every academic librarian follows to achieve their career goals. In reality, the path you choose will be dictated in part by the institutional needs of your future employer.

Academic librarians work in college and university settings. Some positions are tenure-track, while others are not. Some libraries hire subject librarians—librarians who specialize in a particular discipline that corresponds to one or more majors. Others hire librarians who specialize in a particular function, such as public services or metadata management. Most academic librarians should be prepared to participate in scholarship on a regular basis, as this is often (though not always) a requirement of the position. The tools listed below are itemized in no particular order.

1. Seek Job Opportunities

Be sure to explore the opportunities available in academia. Paying close attention to the posted requirements for the job will give you a better idea of what skills and education the position you’re most interested in will require. Check ALA JobLIST; this is a great place to start.

2. Get a Bachelor’s Degree

It should go without saying that the first step in achieving a position as a librarian, in any setting, is to acquire an undergraduate degree in a major of your choosing. Your undergraduate degree can be in almost anything that interests you—a bachelor of science or bachelor of arts degree is equally valuable in the work of library science.

3. Get a Master’s Degree in an ALA-Accredited Program

There are numerous library programs out there, but not all are accredited by the American Library Association (ALA). It’s important that you select an ALA-accredited program; otherwise, your degree will likely be useless to you when it comes to finding employment. Many programs have specializations within the curriculum, while others allow you to customize your graduate experience according to your interests. Some graduate programs make it possible to earn a graduate certificate alongside your master’s degree. Programs may be offered in person or online, and both formats have their advantages and disadvantages.

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4. Maybe Get a Second Master’s Degree

This is not a requirement. For some librarian positions, having a second master’s degree can demonstrate subject-area expertise that aligns with the needs of the position you are applying to. For other positions, a second master’s degree may have little to no significant impact on your chances of being hired.

5. Build Relevant Job Skills and Experiences

The internship or professional role should give you experience in answering reference questions and conducting basic research inquiries. Readers’ advisory skills can be useful, although they are not relied upon as heavily in academia as they are in public libraries. ALA provides several readers’ advisory resources for librarians and library professionals.

6. Prepare Your CV/Résumé

Make sure everything on your CV/résumé is up to date and accurately reflects your education and skill set. Be honest about your level of experience, and tailor your materials to the job you are applying for. Keep the format clean and readable, and include any relevant accomplishments worth mentioning.

Aim to keep your CV/résumé to one page; it can extend to two if you are already an established professional in library science. Include your contact information, a brief summary about you, your education, relevant skills and experience, and certifications. Also, be sure to list any publications you might have.

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7. Nail the Interview

Many academic institutions hire by committee, meaning that you could be interviewed by several individuals at once. Usually, the committee is composed of librarians you would work with, along with faculty members or administrators from across campus. If you are applying for a subject librarianship role, you will likely meet with at least one person from the department you would be assigned to support.

8. Build a Network

You can begin building your professional network early, even as a graduate student. Attend workshops and conferences; many offer reduced rates for students. Contact local academic libraries and inquire about internship opportunities. Pay special attention to librarians whose work aligns with your interests, and take the time to ask questions and engage in conversation. A healthy network of contacts can help you identify future employment opportunities.

9. Pursue Librarianship as a Second Career

Many librarians come to librarianship as a second career. They often transition from a wide range of industries, including finance, education, business, and others. Bringing authentic work experience into librarianship has its advantages. Firsthand experience in a field or industry can help you better understand the research needs of patrons with similar interests.

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10. Join Professional Organizations

Joining professional organizations can help connect you with low-cost or free training resources. ALA and the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) offer discounted student rates.

11. Expand Your Scholarship Practice

As an academic librarian, it is likely that you’ll be asked to participate in scholarship projects. Search for librarianship publications to get a feel for what kind of article you may like to write. The Librarian Parlor offers a free and openly available curriculum, LibParlor Online Learning (LPOL), intended to support library and information science professionals.

This curriculum teaches library professionals how to conduct a research project of their very own by providing a step-by-step guide through the process. First, you’ll begin by thinking about what kind of researcher you are. You’ll then be introduced to the library and information science process and methodologies. The curriculum then includes courses about project planning, writing and editing, and the publication and review process. Finally, you’ll be expected to compile your final project research plan.

According to the ALA, as of 2012, academic libraries employed approximately 26,606 librarians across the United States. With the introduction of AI and a growing emphasis on accessibility and inclusion, it is likely that academic library positions will expand in areas relating to data and digital scholarship services. Inside Higher Ed says that librarians are becoming leaders in AI literacy. A recent study explained how AI literacy is taught through workshops, user education, LibGuides, and other literacy tutorial programs. Open access (OA) will continue to grow.

This is an exciting time to pursue academic librarianship! Academic libraries will continue to evolve alongside new technologies and changing student needs. Because of this, the profession offers growing opportunities for the would-be academic librarian.

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