What is it like being a Librarian?

Librarianship is a very rewarding profession. I like to compare it to teaching, except without the correcting of homework papers and essays. We help direct people to information sources like books and periodicals and reputable online sources in order to promote information literacy. The work is satisfying and it is often fun to research a question (like a detective) to help someone in need of answers. Plus, you get to read on the job :)

Turnover rate is usually low, but it does depend on the institution and the type of clientele who visit the library. Many wait to retire, beyond the normal retirement age, because they so enjoy their jobs.

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos068.htm -- from the Occupational Outlook handbook, this site has information about the nature of the librarian's job, average salaries and outlook for future employment.

Also, check out the ALA website for information about news, programs and accredited graduate schools (www.ala.org).

We need dynamic, young, technologically savvy people to help bring the field of librarianship into the 21st century.

I am actually working on my Masters in library sciences at Drexel so that I can be a librarian. I did my undergrad intern at the campus library. The job is a lot more than people think it is and it also pays very well. The turnover rate is not high at all, most librarians are there to retirement. The director was 60 something years old and making well over 80 thousand a year. The librarians had there own offices that were very nice and they all seemed to enjoy their jobs. I definitely enjoyed my internship. I was just the circulation clerk. The people keep it fun, but their is work involved. Very nice laid back atmosphere.

I volunteered at a Library for six years, in the reference section, and this is what I know about librarians:

1. They stay in their jobs. There's very little turnover, except for when they retire.

2. They know EVERYTHING. OK, maybe not, but they get every kind of question, and can usually find the answer in ten minutes or less. They have amazing knowledge of the resources in the library, how to use them, and how to find answers.

3. It's not as quiet as you might think.

4. They're usually good friends with the other librarians.

5. It's a great place to work if you're very intelligent, and like being around other very intelligent people!!

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I worked at a public library for 2 years while I was in high school through the co-op program. Maybe your friend should do some volunteering with a library before she does the schooling to give her some personal insight to the job.

My duties were:

- processing new books, audio tapes and magazines which entailed printing of new labels, putting them into the computer system and finding a place on the shelf for them.

- answering phones...of course.

- checking books, audio tapes, magazines in and out of the system for patrons.

- assisting patrons with finding things and researching things.

...as well as other things. I actually liked the job and like others have said, it's not as quiet as you might think!

quiet