Administer libraries and perform related library services. Work in a variety of settings, including public libraries, schools, colleges and universities, museums, corporations, government agencies, law firms, non-profit organizations, and healthcare providers. Tasks may include selecting, acquiring, cataloguing, classifying, circulating, and maintaining library materials; and furnishing reference, bibliographical, and readers' advisory services. May perform in-depth, strategic research, and synthesize, analyze, edit, and filter information. May set up or work with databases and information systems to catalogue and access information.
Design information storage and retrieval systems, and develop procedures for collecting, organizing, interpreting, and classifying information.
Develop and index databases that provide information for library users.
Negotiate contracts for library services, materials, and equipment.
Provide input into the architectural planning of library facilities.
Collect and organize books, pamphlets, manuscripts, and other materials in specific fields, such as rare books, genealogy, or music.
Plan and participate in fundraising drives.
Perform public relations work for the library, such as giving televised book reviews and community talks.
Write proposals for research or project grants.
Search standard reference materials, including online sources and the Internet, to answer patrons' reference questions.
Analyze patrons' requests to determine needed information, and assist in furnishing or locating that information.
Teach library patrons to search for information using databases.
Keep records of circulation and materials.
Supervise budgeting, planning, and personnel activities.
Check books in and out of the library.
Explain use of library facilities, resources, equipment, and services, and provide information about library policies.
Review and evaluate resource material, such as book reviews and catalogs, in order to select and order print, audiovisual, and electronic resources.
Code, classify, and catalog books, publications, films, audiovisual aids, and other library materials based on subject matter or standard library classification systems.
Locate unusual or unique information in response to specific requests.
Direct and train library staff in duties such as receiving, shelving, researching, cataloging, and equipment use.
Respond to customer complaints, taking action as necessary.
Organize collections of books, publications, documents, audiovisual aids, and other reference materials for convenient access.
Develop library policies and procedures.
Evaluate materials to determine outdated or unused items to be discarded.
Develop information access aids such as indexes and annotated bibliographies, web pages, electronic pathfinders, and on-line tutorials.
Plan and deliver client-centered programs and services such as special services for corporate clients, storytelling for children, newsletters, or programs for special groups.
Compile lists of books, periodicals, articles, and audiovisual materials on particular subjects.
Arrange for interlibrary loans of materials not available in a particular library.
Assemble and arrange display materials.
Confer with teachers, parents, and community organizations to develop, plan, and conduct programs in reading, viewing, and communication skills.
Compile lists of overdue materials, and notify borrowers that their materials are overdue.
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Communications and Media - Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Personnel and Human Resources - Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
A baccalaureate degree in library science may prepare one to work in secondary schools and community libraries; however, a master's degree in library science (MLS) is necessary for librarian positions in most public, academic, and research libraries. Federal jobs require an MLS or the equivalent in experience. A typical graduate program consists of foundations of library and information science; history of books and printing; intellectual freedom and censorship; on-line reference system; Internet search methods; organization of material; automated circulation systems; and the role of libraries in the information society. High school students will find courses in English, mathematics, and computer applications beneficial. Volunteering to work in the school library, or working in a community library during the summer will be excellent experience.
Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Far Vision - The ability to see details at a distance.
Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Artistic - Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Second Interest High-Point - Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
Self Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Working Conditions - Workers on this job have good working conditions.
Moral Values - Workers on this job are never pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
Security - Workers on this job have steady employment.
Authority - Workers on this job give directions and instructions to others.
Relationships-Mean Extent - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Co-workers - Workers on this job have co-workers who are easy to get along with.
Responsibility - Workers on this job make decisions on their own.
Autonomy - Workers on this job plan their work with little supervision.
Ability Utilization - Workers on this job make use of their individual abilities.
Independence-Mean Extent - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employs to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Achievement-Mean Extent - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Achievement - Workers on this job get a feeling of accomplishment.
Activity - Workers on this job are busy all the time.
Social Status - Workers on this job are looked up to by others in their company and their community.
Social Service - Workers on this job have work where they do things for other people.
Company Policies and Practices - Workers on this job are treated fairly by the company.
Working Conditions-Mean Extent - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Creativity - Workers on this job try out their own ideas.
Recognition-Mean Extent - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
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