Librarian
A librarian in a military base library helps an airman find an entry in a book. | |
| Occupation | |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | Information professional, information specialist |
Occupation type | Profession |
| Description | |
Education required | Three or four-year bachelor's degree plus a number of years of experience as a Library technician under the supervision of a librarian; in some countries a post-graduate master's degree, in particular the Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS), is required; while specialist librarians in addition may need a relevant subject degree (e.g. JD, MBA, MPA, MPP, MPH, MSW, MA, MS, M.Ed., PhD, MD, Ed.D) or occupational licensing (e.g. Library Media Specialist Certification, Certified Teacher Credential). |
Fields of employment | Public library, academic library, special library, research library, research institute, think tank, consulting firm, law firm, legislature, court, school, college/university |
Related jobs | Archivist, curator, library technician, knowledge manager, research assistant, academic staff (professor, teacher) |
A librarian is a person who professionally works with information management. The professional duties of librarians encompass a wide range of activities, including the provision of access to information, the conduct of research, the creation and management of information systems, the creation, leadership, and evaluation of educational programs, and the provision of instruction on information literacy to users.
The role of the librarian has evolved significantly over time, particularly in the past century, which has witnessed the emergence of numerous media and technologies. From the earliest libraries in the ancient world to the modern information hub, there have been individuals responsible for the maintenance and dissemination of information stored in data repositories. The roles and responsibilities of librarians vary considerably based on factors such as the nature of the library, the librarian's area of expertise, and the functions essential for the maintenance of collections and their accessibility to users.
Education for librarianship has undergone a transformation over time, adapting to the evolution of its roles and responsibilities.