Librarian

Librarians select, buy and organise materials to make them available to library users. These materials include books, CDs, DVDs, magazines and newspapers. Increasingly they also filter and organise online information into more easily accessible virtual libraries. Librarians also supervise staff.

Work activities

Librarians need to keep up to date with new publications. They might become aware of these when talking to suppliers, or they might research new material themselves. In all cases, librarians must be aware of all the sources available and of their customers’ needs. This can involve making close links with customers, for example, asking for their opinions in surveys. Librarians must also anticipate and predict clients’ needs for library materials. Librarians use information technology to organise and retrieve a lot of the information. They are responsible for cataloguing, classifying, indexing and arranging materials. They encourage people to use the library and make sure that information and materials are used in the best way possible. They might do this through user-education programmes, publicity campaigns, displaying material, or distributing information through bulletins. They also deal with enquiries by phone, via email or face to face. In public libraries, librarians might get involved with activities such as children’s storytelling and helping people to use the internet and online catalogues (OPACs). Librarians supervise staff. They might also go to meetings to discuss issues such as funding and resources.

Personal qualities and skills

As a librarian, you’ll need:

The ability to manage people and resources.
A logical approach and organisational skills.
Teamwork skills.
Initiative when handling enquiries.
Customer service skills.
Research skills, including internet searching skills.
Computer and database skills.

Good general knowledge is desirable for this career, and in some cases, you might need specialist knowledge. Foreign languages can be useful in some libraries.

Pay and opportunities

Salaries for librarians vary depending on the sector they work in, the employer, and the level of responsibility. The pay rates given are approximate. Librarians earn in the range of £18,500 - £32,000 a year per year. Some government departments and large organisations in industry and commerce offer performance-related pay awards.

Librarians work 36-38 hours a week, Monday to Friday. However, you might need to work evenings and weekends. Part-time work is also available.

Employers in the public sector include public libraries, universities, schools, colleges, and NHS and government departments. In the private sector, you could work for financial institutions, professional bodies, publishers and the media. There are opportunities for librarians in towns and cities throughout the country.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local/national newspapers, and on the Government’s Find a Job service. Vacancies are also advertised through the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP). The CILIP website lists vacancies for its Graduate Trainee Opportunities scheme.

Entry routes and training

Librarians are usually graduates. Entry with a degree in any subject is possible. There are a small number of specialist degrees in subjects such as library studies and information management. Please see the website of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) for more details. If you haven’t completed a specialist degree, you can take a specialist postgraduate course or enter through a graduate training scheme. CILIP accredits degree and postgraduate courses, including some available through distance learning. Graduate traineeships provide paid work experience, usually lasting between 10 and 12 months. After this period, you can complete a CILIP-accredited postgraduate-level qualification.

If you are a non-graduate working within a library or information management setting, you can become a recognised professional through CILIP’s professional registration process. You would work towards certification, followed by chartership. you might also be able to work towards a level 2 certificate or level 3 diploma in libraries, archives and information services.

Although you will need CILIP certification to become a librarian, you could also begin your career by completing a level 3 (advanced) apprenticeship as a library, information and archive services assistant. Once you have completed this work-based qualification, you may be able to progress further and become a librarian, potentially with the support of your employer.

Progression opportunities will depend on the size of the organisation you’re working for. In larger places, there will be more structured promotion routes. In smaller places, you might have to move jobs to make progress within this career. Some librarians move into other areas of information management.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act: Posts in schools and further education colleges, and some other settings, are exceptions to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This means that you must supply information to an employer about any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings, if they ask you to. This is different from other careers, where you only have to reveal information on unspent convictions if you are asked to.

Qualifications

For entry to a degree course in a specialist area such as information management, the usual requirement is:

Two to three A-levels.
GCSEs in your A level subjects at grade 4 or above.
A further 2/3 GCSEs at grades 9-4, including English.

Alternatives to A levels include:

Edexcel (BTEC) level 3 Nationals.
International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.

However, course requirements vary, so please check prospectuses carefully.

To begin an advanced apprenticeship as a library, information and archive services assistant, you will need GCSEs in English and maths, although you may be able to complete these alongside your programme.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

If you don’t have the qualifications you need to enter a degree course, you might be able to start one after completing a college or university Access course. You don’t usually need any qualifications to start an Access course, although you should check this with the course provider.

A small number of universities offer Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP)-accredited courses by distance learning.

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