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Librarians and Media Collections Specialists
Administer and maintain libraries or collections of information, for public or private access through reference or borrowing. Work in a variety of settings, such as educational institutions, museums, and corporations, and with various types of informational materials, such as books, periodicals, recordings, films, and databases. Tasks may include acquiring, cataloging, and circulating library materials, and user services such as locating and organizing information, providing instruction on how to access information, and setting up and operating a library's media equipment.
Other titles employers use
Catalog Librarian · Instructional Technology Specialist · Librarian · Library Media Specialist · Media Specialist · Media Technician · Multimedia Services Coordinator · Reference and Instruction Librarian
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Check books in and out of the library.
- Teach library patrons basic computer skills, such as searching computerized databases.
- Review and evaluate materials, using book reviews, catalogs, faculty recommendations, and current holdings to select and order print, audio-visual, and electronic resources.
- Search standard reference materials, including online sources and the Internet, to answer patrons' reference questions.
- Keep up-to-date records of circulation and materials, maintain inventory, and correct cataloging errors.
- Analyze patrons' requests to determine needed information and assist in furnishing or locating that information.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to organizing, helping and analytical work.
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
Subjects to know
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Education and Training
- Administrative
Useful strengths
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Written Expression
- Information Ordering
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 3.2 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 2.9 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.8 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 2.8 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a master's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A master's degree 67%
- A certificate or some college 15%
- A four-year degree 8%
- A doctorate or professional degree 6%
- A two-year degree 4%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Web platform development software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Document management software
- Office suite software
- Web page creation and editing software
- Video creation and editing software
- Desktop publishing software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 14,020
- Job openings each year
- 210
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 17.5%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 14,020 | 210 | 17.5% |
| Texas | 10,950 | 1,080 | 12.4% |
| California | 9,300 | 890 | 5.7% |
| Florida | 7,180 | 700 | 10.8% |
| Washington | 6,680 | 1,800 | 12.5% |
| Illinois | 5,480 | 520 | 2.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 5,130 | 490 | 4.9% |
| Ohio | 4,840 | 450 | 1.9% |
| New Jersey | 4,760 | 450 | 3.5% |
| Virginia | 4,570 | 430 | 2.5% |
| North Carolina | 4,330 | 420 | 10.5% |
| Georgia | 3,950 | 380 | 9.4% |
| Maryland | 3,910 | 380 | 9.8% |
| Michigan | 3,630 | 340 | — |
| Louisiana | 3,060 | 290 | 4.1% |
| Alabama | 2,930 | 280 | 5.4% |
| Missouri | 2,930 | 280 | 3.5% |
| Tennessee | 2,810 | 280 | 14.7% |
| Connecticut | 2,630 | 260 | 11.9% |
| Wisconsin | 2,600 | 250 | 4.0% |
| Indiana | 2,550 | 240 | 2.8% |
| Minnesota | 2,540 | 240 | 5.0% |
| Colorado | 2,530 | 250 | 15.5% |
| Massachusetts | 2,240 | 210 | 7.2% |
| South Carolina | 2,120 | 210 | 10.4% |
| Oklahoma | 1,970 | 190 | 5.9% |
| Oregon | 1,970 | 190 | 10.7% |
| Utah | 1,970 | 200 | 18.7% |
| Kentucky | 1,910 | 180 | 3.2% |
| Arizona | 1,870 | 180 | 5.1% |
| Iowa | 1,780 | 170 | 8.5% |
| Kansas | 1,550 | 150 | 4.0% |
| Mississippi | 1,530 | 150 | 4.8% |
| Arkansas | 1,340 | 130 | 3.1% |
| Puerto Rico | 1,330 | 130 | 10.8% |
| New Hampshire | 1,160 | 110 | 5.5% |
| Nebraska | 1,090 | 100 | 3.8% |
| District of Columbia | 1,050 | 100 | 5.0% |
| Maine | 900 | 80 | −1.1% |
| Rhode Island | 760 | 70 | 4.1% |
| Nevada | 660 | 60 | 6.5% |
| New Mexico | 660 | 60 | 10.0% |
| Idaho | 650 | 60 | 10.2% |
| Montana | 620 | 60 | 8.8% |
| South Dakota | 600 | 60 | 3.4% |
| Vermont | 600 | 60 | 5.3% |
| North Dakota | 590 | 60 | 5.4% |
| West Virginia | 540 | 50 | 3.8% |
| Delaware | 450 | 40 | 7.1% |
| Wyoming | 340 | 30 | 9.7% |
| Alaska | 260 | 20 | 4.0% |
| Virgin Islands | 40 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
- Degrees each year
- 376
- Admit rate
- 74%
- Annual cost after aid
- $20,000
Virginia Commonwealth University
- Degrees each year
- 342
- Admit rate
- 93%
- Annual cost after aid
- $21,000
Western Governors University
- Degrees each year
- 281
- Admit rate
- Not reported
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
University of Kentucky
- Degrees each year
- 274
- Admit rate
- 92%
- Annual cost after aid
- $16,000
State University of New York at Cortland
- Degrees each year
- 252
- Admit rate
- 51%
- Annual cost after aid
- $20,000
Central Michigan University
- Degrees each year
- 181
- Admit rate
- 91%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
University of Louisville
- Degrees each year
- 178
- Admit rate
- 81%
- Annual cost after aid
- $16,000
Utah State University
- Degrees each year
- 176
- Admit rate
- 94%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
Compare every college offering library science and administration