What does a librarian do?
Librarians are trained in the field of information science so they can assist people in search of information. They direct and develop information systems and programs for the public. It is their job to make sure that the data is well-organized to meet every library user's needs. Their library work focuses on three main aspects, including user services, administrative services, and technical services. Typically, librarians work in schools, government, or local libraries.
Librarian responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real librarian resumes:
- Plan and manage weekly toddler programs and activities.
- Recruit, train, and manage volunteers, teen ambassadors, book buddies, elderly volunteers, and teen tech assistants.
- Manage adult non-fiction materials and coordinate staff.
- Manage and maintain inventory of NAVAIR technical documentation.
- Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
- Achieve proficiency cataloging electronic materials (audio records, video recordings, and streaming video) and continuing resources/serials.
- Design and create a new library website using the content management system WordPress via CSS and HTML encoding.
- Handle check-in of books and CDs.
- Used HTML and web editing skills on all pages.
- Catalogue items for patron use using current RDA standards.
- Create LibGuides for both instructional purpose and informational uses.
- Process, catalog and inventory legal and government documents, using OCLC.
- Add new books to collection via OCLC downloading or manually in AutoLibrarian system.
- Train all new library staff on circulation and reference functions of Polaris ILS.
- Provide story times, toddler times, school-age activities, and other programs in the library.
Librarian skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Librarians are proficient in Library Services, Customer Service, and Library Materials. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Communication skills, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Librarians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Library Services, 11%
Purchased appropriate print and electronic reference materials, supplies and other required resources to ensure quality library services.
- Customer Service, 10%
Required excellent customer service skills and abilities to interact well with very diverse customers of all education and socioeconomic levels.
- Library Materials, 8%
Computerize and inventory all library material in excel form* Planned and organized the operation of fundraisers* Lunch and recess supervision
- Collection Development, 7%
Participated in assigned collection development responsibilities.
- Library Resources, 6%
Developed and facilitated library skills and information science lessons to teachers and helped students understand how to effectively use library resources.
- Reference Services, 5%
Provided reference services, maintained library collection, made recommendations for the selection of new materials, and supervised inventory activities.
Most librarians use their skills in "library services," "customer service," and "library materials" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential librarian responsibilities here:
Communication skills. Many librarian duties rely on communication skills. "librarians need to be able to explain ideas and information in ways that patrons understand.," so a librarian will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways librarian responsibilities rely on communication skills: "worked in project management, collection development and telecommunications for the camden county library system (ccls). "
Interpersonal skills. This is an important skill for librarians to perform their duties. For an example of how librarian responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "librarians must be able to work both as part of a team and with the public or with researchers." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a librarian: "leveraged superior interpersonal skill to provide reference services to up to 50 clients each day. ".
Technology skills. librarian responsibilities often require "technology skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "librarians use technology to help patrons research topics." This resume example shows what librarians do with technology skills on a typical day: "shelved inventory according to the dewey decimal system- developed technology skills in order to use intricate software (i.e. "
Initiative. A commonly-found skill in librarian job descriptions, "initiative" is essential to what librarians do. Librarian responsibilities rely on this skill because "new information, technology, and resources constantly change the details of what librarians do." You can also see how librarian duties rely on initiative in this resume example: "volunteered to represent the library system in the county's green team initiative, chairing volunteers from five system locations. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill commonly found on librarian job descriptions is "problem-solving skills." It can come up quite often in librarian duties, since "librarians conduct and assist with research." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day librarian responsibilities: "managed all library operations during evenings supervised staff of approximately six and volunteers provided reference services and resolved technology issues"
The three companies that hire the most librarians are:
- University of Pennsylvania14 librarians jobs
- Cooper University Health Care5 librarians jobs
- City of Houston5 librarians jobs
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Compare different librarians
Librarian vs. Cataloger
As a collection management librarian, one must perform the tasks associated with library services, especially in collection management. Collection management librarians monitor, analyze, and report collection management data. The librarians establish and maintain the collection management plan of the team for the rear area and conceptualize and deliver outreach opportunities with the community and city organizations promoting library services, programs, and resources. They are also skilled in electronic resources, collection development, and insurance companies.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, librarian responsibilities require skills like "library services," "customer service," "library resources," and "research assistance." Meanwhile a typical cataloger has skills in areas such as "rda," "online database," "lcsh," and "ils." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Catalogers earn the highest salaries when working in the education industry, with an average yearly salary of $40,571. On the other hand, librarians are paid more in the education industry with an average salary of $55,408.The education levels that catalogers earn slightly differ from librarians. In particular, catalogers are 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a librarian. Additionally, they're 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Librarian vs. Circulation director
Each career also uses different skills, according to real librarian resumes. While librarian responsibilities can utilize skills like "library services," "customer service," "library materials," and "collection development," circulation directors use skills like "audience development," "newspapers," "independent contractors," and "expense budget."
Circulation directors earn lower levels of education than librarians in general. They're 13.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for librarians in the next 3-5 years?
Kacy Lovelace
Research and Student Success Librarian, Marshall University
Librarian vs. Circulation supervisor
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from librarian resumes include skills like "customer service," "library resources," "electronic resources," and "cataloging," whereas a circulation supervisor is more likely to list skills in "student assistants," "circulation services," "library circulation," and "course reserves. "
Circulation supervisors typically earn lower educational levels compared to librarians. Specifically, they're 7.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Librarian vs. Collection management librarian
Even though a few skill sets overlap between librarians and collection management librarians, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a librarian might have more use for skills like "customer service," "reference services," "research assistance," and "library collection." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of collection management librarians require skills like "collection management," "patient accounts," "sql," and "appeals. "
Collection management librarians reach similar levels of education compared to librarians, in general. The difference is that they're 4.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of librarian
Updated January 8, 2025
