Librarian (2024)

FAQs

How to answer librarian interview questions? ›

The best way to respond to most interview questions is directly and succinctly. This provides the interviewer the opportunity to ask follow-up questions. Example: “Having to pick a favorite department within the library is like asking me to tell you which of my children I like the best.

A career as a librarian has long been popular because of the job security and solid pay. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for librarians today is $61,660. But the top 10%, most of whom have master's degrees in library science (or MLS), earn as much as $80,000.

“Damaged books being returned”

Between spilled drinks, bugs crawling out of books, and torn-up pages, several librarians mentioned damaged books as one of the most common issues. When interacting with library materials, return them with the same care you would expect from someone borrowing your personal items.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the mean annual wage of librarians and media collections specialists in the United States as of May 2021 is $64,180. Those earning in the 75^th percentile average $77,400 per year; and those in the 90^th percentile make $97,870 annually.

Therefore, you must have excellent customer service skills. You should be able to communicate clearly and effectively with library users and help them find the information they need. You should also be able to deal with demanding customers calmly and professionally.

You do need to earn a master's degree in library science (MLIS) to be eligible for many professional librarian positions. This includes librarian positions in most academic, public, and special libraries. As a librarian, you're finding information and organizing and synthesizing it.

How enjoyable is a librarian's work environment? As a whole, librarians rated their enjoyment of their work environment 3.8/5.

While there may be challenges in the field, such as job prospects and salary, a librarian's impact is invaluable. If you have a love for books and helping others, consider becoming a librarian to make a difference in your community.

So, while it's totally okay if you don't know what exactly a librarian does at their job, I suggest staying away from statements that imply otherwise (e.g., “I'd love to be a librarian, what a peaceful job”). “Your job must be so quiet.” (It is very often not.

Greenlee isn't the only librarian in the United States to resign from their jobs in recent months after receiving pushback over books by or about Black, LGBTQ+, and other marginalized persons. Some have also experienced threats of violence and harassment—all for standing up for the freedom to read.

What is the top pay for a librarian? ›

Salaries for senior/deputy librarians range from £37,000 to £55,000 (with an average salary of £46,000), rising to around £63,000 for head or director of library and information services (average salary £53,500).

A master's degree in library science (MLS), preferably from an American Library Association (ALA) accredited program, is necessary for most librarian positions in most public, academic, and special libraries. School librarians may not need an MLS but must meet state teaching requirements.

Duties at this rank generally involve a major role in library initiatives, policies, or programs. 1. The rank of Librarian is the highest career rank.

Seventy-six percent of youth services librarians and 71 percent of school librarians felt underpaid compared to positions in other fields requiring similar education and experience.