Librarian

Librarian

A librarian is a professional who works in a library, providing access to information and guiding library users in finding materials. Librarians may also be involved in administrative and managerial duties, such as budgeting, planning, and personnel management.

Roles and Responsibilities

Librarians perform a variety of roles depending on the type of library they work in, such as public libraries, academic libraries, school libraries, and special libraries. These roles may include:

• Collection Development: Librarians select and purchase materials for the library's collection, including books, magazines, newspapers, audiovisual materials, and electronic resources.

• Reference Services: Librarians assist users in finding information and using library resources. This may involve answering questions, teaching users how to use library catalogs and databases, and providing research assistance.

• Technical Services: Librarians catalog and classify library materials, making them accessible to users. They may also be involved in the maintenance of library databases and websites.

• Administrative Services: Librarians may be involved in the management of the library, including budgeting, planning, and personnel management.

Education and Training

In most countries, a Master's degree in Library Science or Information Science is required to become a librarian. Some librarians may also have a second master's degree in a specific subject area, particularly if they work in an academic library.

Professional Associations

There are several professional associations for librarians, including the American Library Association, the Canadian Library Association, and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions.

See Also

• Library Science
• Information Science
• Public Library
• Academic Library
• School Library
• Special Library

Librarian Resources
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