Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in library science. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

From people doing the work

Teaching library science at the postsecondary level is a blend of instruction, research, and staying current with information technology. It involves guiding future librarians, developing curriculum, and contributing to scholarly discourse, often requiring a deep understanding of both traditional library practices and emerging digital trends. The work feels impactful, shaping the next generation of information professionals.

Drawn from O*NET, BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, ALISE, ALA, Reddit r/Libraries

Attribution: Composite

Composite · Synthesised from O*NET, BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, ALISE, ALA

A day in the life of Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary

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

Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary salary, education and outlook at a glance

Median salary
$78,630
Entry-level
$47,000
Senior
$142,000
Growth by 2033
+3.0%
Demand
Stable
Freelance potential
Moderate
Salary growth potential
202%
Typical student debt
Very High

Skills you need as Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Hard skills

  • Education and Training
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Data base user interface and query software

Soft skills

  • Instructing
  • Learning Strategies
  • Speaking

Technical complexity: Low

Tools of the trade

Core tools

  • WorldShare Collection Manager (Software): To streamline and automate the management of library records and electronic resources.
  • Follett Destiny Library Manager (Software): To manage library tasks, resources, and support student success in K-12 environments.
  • Polaris ILS (Software): To manage circulation, cataloging, and patron services in public and academic libraries.

Commonly used

  • Learning Management Systems (LMS) (Platform): To deliver course content, manage assignments, and facilitate online learning for students.
  • Academic Search Premier (Database): To provide access to a wide range of scholarly articles and research materials for teaching and research.

Specialist tools

  • Digital Asset Management (DAM) systems (Software): To organize, store, and retrieve digital content and media for educational and research purposes.
  • Statistical Analysis Software (e.g., SPSS, R) (Software): To analyze research data and interpret findings for academic publications and presentations.

How to become Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Minimum education
Doctoral 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

  • Secondary School Teacher: Many individuals transition from teaching at the secondary school level to postsecondary library science education.
  • Librarian: Experienced librarians often pivot into teaching roles at the postsecondary level to share their expertise.
  • Instructional Designer: Professionals focused on designing educational content and experiences can transition to teaching library science.

Where you can go from here

  • Librarian: Library Science Teachers often transition into leadership or specialized librarian roles within academic or public libraries.
  • Information Architect: The expertise in organizing and structuring information is highly transferable to information architecture roles.
  • Data Curator: Skills in managing and preserving digital information are valuable for roles focused on data curation and management.
  • Digital Asset Manager: Expertise in digital resources and metadata makes this a natural progression for managing digital assets.
  • Academic Dean or Department Head: With teaching and research experience, many advance into administrative leadership positions within academia.

Typical progression

  1. Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
  2. Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary
  3. or Education Teachers, Postsecondary

Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary job outlook and future demand

Automation probability
Low
AI disruption risk
Moderate
Demand trend
Stable

Job satisfaction as Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary

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

Reddit communities

  • r/Libraries: An online community for librarians and library enthusiasts to discuss issues, share resources, and connect with peers.

Online communities

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