Librarian

A Career That Opens Doors to New Worlds - Pursue Librarianship

About

A librarian is a trained professional who works in libraries, archives or other information management institutions. They are responsible for organising and managing information resources, helping users access those resources and providing information literacy instruction to users. The librarians are responsible for selecting, acquiring as well as managing library materials such as books, journals and digital resources. Furthermore, the librarians are responsible for preserving library materials through proper handling, storage and conservation measures.

Overall, librarians play a vital role in providing access to information and promoting lifelong learning. They require technical skills, subject expertise along with interpersonal skills to manage library resources and serve diverse user communities effectively.

Eligibility

For Bachelor’s

  • The seekers must enrol in a Bachelor’s degree in Library science from recognised academic institutions.
  • The candidates must pass their 10+2 board-level examination with a minimum of 55% marks. 

For Master’s

  • Successful graduates should pursue a Master’s Degree in Library Science, Information Science or Documentation Science from an authorised university. 
  • To become a librarian, you typically need a combination of education and experience. 

For Diploma & Certification

  • The students can also apply for a Diploma in Library and Information Science and join training sessions to become professional librarians.

Job Roles

Librarians play a crucial role in managing and organising collections of books, journals and other media. Here are some of the common job roles that librarians may hold:

  • Reference Librarian
  • Cataloging Librarian
  • Acquisitions Librarian
  • Archivist
  • School Librarian
  • Digital Librarian

Employment Sector Jobs

Librarians can work in various sectors including:

  • Academic Libraries
  • Public Libraries
  • School Libraries
  • Corporate Libraries
  • Government Libraries
  • Law Libraries
  • Medical Libraries

Top Recruiters

The top recruiters for librarians may vary depending on the sector and location, but some of the common employers for librarians are:

  • Academic institutions 
  • Public libraries
  • Public and private schools.
  • Library of Congress
  • National Archives and Records Administration
  • State and local government agencies
  • Non-profit organisations 
  • Corporate libraries
  • Museums, archives and historical societies

Salary

The salary for librarians varies depending on the sector such as geographic location, level of education, experience as well as job responsibilities.

 

Entry-level Librarian 

Approx 1 lakhs - 3 lakhs per annum

Senior Librarian  

Approx 4 lakhs - 5 lakhs per annum

Top-level Librarian  

Approx 6 lakhs - 7 lakhs per annum

Skills

  • Information literacy
  • Communication skills
  • Organisation skills
  • Technology skills
  • Customer service skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Collaboration skills
  • Knowledge of library science
  • Adaptability

Scope

The scope for librarians is broad and varied as they are in demand at a wide range of sectors and industries. Here are some areas where librarians can find employment opportunities:

  • Academic institutions
  • Public libraries
  • School libraries
  • Corporate libraries
  • Government libraries
  • Law libraries
  • Medical libraries

Benefits

Librarians can enjoy a variety of benefits in their careers depending on their employer and other factors. Here are some potential benefits for librarians:

  • Job security
  • Competitive salaries
  • Health insurance and retirement benefits
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Work-life balance
  • Fulfilling work
  • Community involvement

Drawbacks

While there are many benefits of being a librarian, there are also some potential drawbacks to the profession. Here are a few examples:

  • Limited advancement opportunities
  • Budget constraints
  • Challenging patrons
  • Physical demands
  • Changing job responsibilities