So You Want to Be a Librarian: The Pathway to a Uniquely Rewarding Career

Not every staff member you meet at your public library is a librarian. While public libraries are stocked with knowledgeable staff in every field you can imagine, the librarian role is a very specific one, requiring skills and expertise far beyond the keeping and shelving of books. These professionally trained information specialists hold advanced degrees, and their responsibilities sit at a very distinct intersection of education, social services, and civic life.

Like everything else related to libraries, librarians’ duties have evolved dramatically over the last several decades. Today’s public librarian not only manages digital infrastructure, curates physical collections, provides social navigation support (such as connecting patrons to support in the areas of housing, employment, or healthcare), but also serves as a free and open frontline expert on topics from literacy to cybersecurity. In other words, the librarian is among the most trusted and accessible public servants, with an arsenal of information and resources to meet requests as diverse as the people who bring them.

What could possibly prepare one person to perform such a wide variety of duties? While certification requirements vary by state, most librarians hold — at minimum — a master of library and information science (MLIS) from an accredited university-based program. In particular, American Library Association accreditation has two goals: “1) to ensure that post-secondary educational institutions and their units, schools, or programs meet appropriate standards of quality and integrity, and 2) to improve the quality of education these institutions offer.” Graduates of accredited programs have earned a degree from a program that, according to ALA, “demonstrates a commitment to quality and . . . seeks to continue that commitment.”

On top of being highly academically qualified, public librarians hone interpersonal skills to excel in areas such as customer service and conflict resolution, and often specialize their training to focus on a specific arena of public library operations (e.g., children’s services or reference). Public libraries rely on a range of distinct roles, illustrating that, like attorneys and accountants, librarians often have a specialization that is central to their work.

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Their work can vary widely, depending on the community and population they serve. On a typical day, a librarian might contribute to a research project, curate book suggestions, help design and implement programming, conduct educational presentations, host events, and more. 

Among the most important skills that any public librarian can have, no matter what their role, is the ability to empower patrons to be independent seekers of information. Librarians everywhere have committed to promoting media literacy, source evaluation, and research skills, all of which become more important as artificial intelligence proliferates throughout search engines, software, and other tools.

Is a career as a librarian the right choice for you? Only you know for sure, but if you love to learn and help others learn, and if empowering people with equitable access to information and resources is important to you, you could very well thrive as a public librarian.

It’s also important to consider that for many, working in a library—either as a librarian or other staff member—is a calling, not simply a vocation. For that reason, you can count on finding like-minded colleagues among the stacks; you will always have coworkers who “get” the challenges you face you each day and likely have insight to share as you grow in your role.

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For those who have already completed an undergraduate degree (in virtually any field), the next logical step to becoming a public librarian is earning an MLIS from an accredited institution. You can find accredited programs through the ALA’s searchable database.

Next, for readers in the US, consider which state(s) you might work in and check the state requirements for certification. While some states, such as Idaho, do not require state certification, others—such as Georgia—require not only state certification but an accredited MLIS and at least ten hours of continuing education (CE) “during a two-year period preceding bi-annual renewal.”

People choose careers in public libraries because they care deeply about sharing information, empowering patrons, championing equitable access, and strengthening the communities they serve. Public library staff—librarians included—work to provide every user with free access to information, ideas, and discourse in a politically neutral space. In doing so, they often take on responsibilities associated with teachers, social workers, community advocates, and other critically important members of society.

If this work resonates with you, there are several ways to explore the field. Start by reviewing your state requirements for librarian certification, then connect with your local library to learn about volunteer or entry-level opportunities that can help you gain experience. You can also explore MLIS programs to see whether pursuing the degree aligns with your goals. Each of these steps can help you determine whether a career in public librarianship is the right fit for you. 

Visit www.everylibrary.org to learn more about our work on behalf of libraries. 

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