Q&A for How to Become a Librarian

If you are thinking about your dream job, it's important to remain calm and motivated. Whenever you have a thought that's negative or discouraging (like believing you're not cut out for a job), challenge it. Take a moment to take some deep breaths to get into a less anxious state of mind. Make a list of all the reasons you're qualified for the position you're interested in and review it. Focus on all your assets in order to get closer to your professional goal and to prepare yourself for your interviews. What's most important is that you speak to yourself in a way that's uplifting and empowering: if you do this, then you're much more likely to stand out as a candidate.

At 16 you can start shadowing librarians and doing work experience. At 12 you can volunteer to help with the Summer Reading Challenge, which is good for a CV.

The collection, classification, storage, retrieval, and dissemination of recorded knowledge treated both as a pure and as an applied science.

Yes they are, though these are usually non-paying, volunteer opportunities. If you are currently 18 and still in school, you can apply to become an assistant librarian or young adult librarian.

You'll have to check with your local library to see if they have any specific age limits, but anyone can volunteer otherwise.

No.

Yes. Most libraries will still be happy to hire you as a library assistant if you are studying. Having experience under your belt will be an advantage when you graduate and start looking for full-time work.

Most colleges will have information on their websites about all their courses. Try googling the program of study you want along with the university/college you're interested in attending.

Some positions are changing their requirements and will allow those without a MLIS/MLS degree to apply for librarian positions. You will have to speak to a specific branch about their individual requirements.

You will need to complete your Master’s in Library Science first, from an ALA accredited school.

Yes. Your biology degree may not offer many useful things as to being a librarian, but at least you've studied science, so you're rigorous, which helps. You can study or retrain to become a librarian. Apply for the job, see what requirements they have and how you match those.

Go to college, then go on to get your Master's in Library and Information Science.

This depends on the institution where you plan on getting the degree. Some require that all of their students get an MLS to learn JavaScript, for example, while others may see your degree simply as a more specialized MLS and will only offer you individual courses rather than the full degree.

The minimum age to volunteer in most places in Australia is 14. However, you might be able to help out at your school library. You can contact the specific library to find out their age requirements.

Certainly! Demonstrated experience building connections to the community and working with people from all walks of life will look very good on your CV. Without library experience you may have to start in a "para-librarian" role before moving into a full librarian position, but since most "actual" librarians do their work behind the scenes, chances are that what you think of as a librarian is exactly the sort of job you could get without prior library experience.

No, you don't have to be a certain age to be a children's librarian. Our library has children’s librarians of all ages. Just be passionate about serving youth and their families.

No. Maybe some institutions require this for a library degree, but most do not, and most employers do not require it.

This depends on the kind of library and the position you wish to have within the organization. The position of head librarian in a national library will require a PhD and some years of prior experience. Running a school library or working as a librarian under a head librarian is attainable with a bachelor's degree.

Many schools will hire someone with a bachelor's degree in education or library science to head up the school library, provided the person hired obtains a master's degree within a specified period of time. Additionally, a person in the role of assistant librarian may not need to have a master's degree to stay in that position. They will need to get a master's degree if they wish to advance, however.

In general, a school librarian should have a basic understanding of how to set up a computer system, for example, adding a monitor, connecting to the internet, and how to print documents. Most libraries also use tools in Microsoft Office such as Word and Excel, so the librarian should have a working knowledge of those tools. Finally, the librarian should know how to use any type of software specific to the school's system.

Yes, that is possible, though less common. Check with the university program and clarify whether it is available online.

No. You need an MLS. See the educational requirements listed in the article above.