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.

From people doing the work

Day-to-day as a librarian involves a mix of direct patron interaction, cataloging new materials, and managing digital resources. It's to connect people with information, but also requires constant learning to keep up with evolving technologies and information formats. There's a quiet satisfaction in organizing knowledge, but also the challenge of advocating for resources and adapting to community needs.

Drawn from American Library Association (ALA), Special Libraries Association (SLA), r/Libraries, Library Journal

Attribution: Composite

Composite · Synthesised from American Library Association (ALA), Special Libraries Association (SLA), r/Libraries, Library Journal

A day in the life of Librarians and Media Collections Specialists

People interaction
Extensive
Team vs solo
85% Team / 15% Solo
Client facing
Sometimes
Impact visibility
Moderate
Travel
Minimal
Schedule flexibility
Flexible
Remote work
On-site Only
Typical work hours
40-50
Stress level
Moderate

Librarians and Media Collections Specialists salary, education and outlook at a glance

Median salary
$64,320
Entry-level
$39,000
Senior
$116,000
Growth by 2033
+1.7%
Demand
Stable
Freelance potential
Moderate
Salary growth potential
197%
Typical student debt
Very High

Skills you need as Librarians and Media Collections Specialists

Hard skills

  • Computers and Electronics
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Web platform development software

Soft skills

  • Service Orientation
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Active Listening

Technical complexity: Low

Tools of the trade

Core tools

  • Alma (Ex Libris) (Software): Manages library resources, circulation, cataloging, and patron data for efficient library operations.
  • RDA (Resource Description and Access) (Standard): Provides guidelines and instructions for descriptive cataloging of library resources to ensure consistent access.
  • Preservica (Software): Preserves and provides access to digital collections, ensuring long-term availability and integrity of digital assets.

Commonly used

  • Discovery Layer (e.g., Primo, Summon) (Software): Offers a unified search interface for patrons to discover physical and digital resources across various library collections.
  • Zotero (Software): Assists patrons and staff in collecting, organizing, citing, and sharing research sources and bibliographies.

Specialist tools

  • EBSCOhost ERM (Software): Manages the lifecycle of electronic resources, including licensing, access, and usage statistics.

How to become Librarians and Media Collections Specialists

Minimum education
Master's Degree
Licensing
Yes
Years to mid-career
5-8
Years to senior
15-25
Career switching
Moderate

Where this career leads

How people arrive here

  • Library Technician: Often works under the supervision of librarians, performing routine tasks like shelving, circulation, and basic reference assistance.
  • Archivist: Focuses on preserving and organizing historical documents and records, which shares similarities with media collection management.
  • Museum Curator: Manages and interprets collections within a museum setting, involving similar organizational and public access principles.

Where you can go from here

  • Information Architect: Designs the structure and organization of information within websites and applications, leveraging skills in information organization and user experience.
  • Knowledge Manager: Develops strategies and systems to capture, share, and apply knowledge within an organization, building on expertise in information retrieval and organization.
  • Data Curator: Manages and maintains research data, ensuring its quality, accessibility, and long-term preservation, similar to managing media collections.

Typical progression

  1. Library Technicians
  2. Librarians and Media Collections Specialists
  3. or Archivists

Librarians and Media Collections Specialists job outlook and future demand

Automation probability
Low
AI disruption risk
Moderate
Demand trend
Stable

Job satisfaction as Librarians and Media Collections Specialists

Overall satisfaction
7.2/10
Meaning
8.5/10
Work-life balance
7.5/10
Prestige
7.5/10
Social perception
High

Where practitioners gather

Professional organisations

  • American Library Association (ALA): A professional organization that provides leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship.
  • Special Libraries Association (SLA): A global organization for information professionals and their strategic partners, focusing on special libraries and information centers.

Podcasts and media

  • Library Journal: A leading publication for librarians and library professionals, offering news, reviews, and articles on library trends and issues.

Reddit communities

  • r/Libraries: An online community for librarians, library staff, and library enthusiasts to discuss library-related topics, share resources, and seek advice.

Online communities

  • Code4Lib: A community of librarians, archivists, and museum professionals who write code and develop software for libraries.

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