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. Sounds simple, right?
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. Here’s everything you need to know about how to become a librarian and what to expect from the job.
What Do Librarians Do?
“I think people visualize a very mature woman with a tight bun, orthopedic shoes and a scowl, sitting there checking in and out books, which has absolutely nothing to do with what it is today,” said Melissa Miller, a professor with USC Bovard College’s online Master of Management in Library and Information Science program.
Instead, librarians’ job descriptions are multifaceted. 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. After all, libraries aren’t just for books in the 21st century — they contain countless resources and tools for community members to use.
“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. I think it’s just a great example of the fact that libraries have really evolved.”
The sheer variety of tasks librarians are involved in might be a turn-off if you are looking for a simple job. But for many librarians, this variety is a highlight.
“It never gets boring because there are so many aspects … which is why I love it,” said Michaela Ullmann, a USC Bovard College professor.
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. Some librarians are focused on just one field, such as medicine or law, and work in a specialized library dedicated to this topic.
“I think what unites all of us is that we’re working toward serving our patrons and that we want equal access for all to information,” Ullmann said.
USC Bovard College professor, Joshua Hutchinson, heartily agrees with this assessment.
“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. “In general, everyone working in the library is working toward a shared goal.”
Do You Need a Degree to Become a Librarian?
Yes, a master’s degree from an accredited institution is required to become a librarian. Most librarians are expected to hold a master’s degree in library and information science, often referred to as an MLIS degree.
“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. in addition to the MLIS.”
And, of course, a bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite for a master’s degree. To build their resumes and gain useful experience, many also volunteer or take part-time roles at a library as they pursue their education.
How Do You Become a Librarian?
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. Programs like USC Bovard College’s Master of Management in Library and Information Science prepare students to become strong and effective leaders, as well.
“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. “At some point, all librarians have management responsibilities, and I think the program provides a great foundation for that.”
Some people take more unorthodox paths to becoming librarians, including working other types of jobs before they transition to the role — which can actually be helpful, Hutchinson 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. “And those skills might be soft people skills, communication, things like project management or very specific knowledge areas.”
For instance, law librarians might choose to get a J.D. and health and science librarians might similarly pick up training in those fields, Hutchinson said.
Ullmann’s background is originally in anthropology, for example. She “kind of came to librarianship by accident,” decided she loved it and chose to pursue a master’s degree in library and information science.
“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. … And then there are a lot of people with it as a second career, like myself.”
How Long Does It Take to Become a Librarian?
For most people, it takes about five years to become a librarian.
Around four of these years are spent in an undergraduate program. After that comes the master’s degree.
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. However, part-time students may need two years to finish a master’s program.
How Much Money Do Librarians Make?
The amount of money librarians make varies and is based on many different factors, including location, job experience and library type.
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). Librarians working in larger public libraries typically earned the highest salaries, while those in smaller public libraries earned less.
Meanwhile, the average salary for academic librarians in 2019 was $73,147, according to the ALA-APA survey. Librarians working in university libraries earned the highest salaries of this category.
Seniority was also a major factor in how much a librarian earned — library directors, deans and chief officers held the highest-paying positions, according to the survey.
What Alternative Careers Can You Pursue with a Library Science Degree?
Librarian is far from the only job title you can pursue with a library and information science master’s degree.
“Professions are living organisms,” said Ruth Wallach, Academic Director of the Master of Management in Library and Information Science Program. “So, there are the more traditional careers … but there are careers in the corporate environment where corporations have realized that [librarians] bring skills that others … don’t necessarily have.”
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. Additional positions include digital asset manager, metadata librarian and, of course, professor in library sciences.
Learn more about the Master of Management in Library and Information Science (MMLIS) online program today.