Job Responsibilities
As an assistant librarian, my duties are quite varied. That is
part of what makes it such an interesting job. My first
responsibility is to the patrons of the library- if they need
assistance or wish to check in/out materials then I drop
everything to do that. But there are large amounts of time
(about 75% of every shift) when patrons are either not in my
section or are helping themselves. During this time I usually
have a large project in progress. I might be repairing old and
worn materials or cataloguing new materials, preparing them for
the shelves. I also have tasks that I must do everyday,
sometimes more than once, depending on the length of the shift I
work. Any materials that are returned must be checked for damage
and re-shelved. I must check the shelves to make sure the books
are in order and haven't been put back by a patron in the worng
place. Also I have to keep the library clean and now that we
have computer terminals, I have to patrol them for appropriate
computer usage.
|
Job Requirements
To get hired at an entry-level position in the library sysytem is
fairly simple, as long as you are a quick learner and can show
that you will treat the materials carefully. Moving up is more
difficult, as librarians tend to hold onto their jobs for a long
time. Because of the nature of the position, being a librarian
is something one can do well into old age, and many department
heads do just that. This makes moving up rather difficult. it
is often easier to transfer to another library which has an
opening. This is how I moved into my supervisor position of
student workers. But even at high levels, the pay is not
amazing. So although it is a job that can provide a long and
satisfying career, it is unlikely to make you rich.
|
Uppers
There are many great perks to being a librarian. You get access to materials
which are enlightening and unique enough that they were selected to be kept in a
library. You get to see journals as they first pass through the cataloging
system, giving you a head start. Also, I enjoy the repartee with patrons, and
especially the chance to help with patron's research. Most people doing
interesting research will end up in a library, and they often need assistance in
negotiating the library systems. Finally, I enjoy preserving and restoring old
materials so that they can be enjoyed by people. I like thinking that because of
my work, information will be out there that otherwise would remain boxed up and
hidden away.
|
Downers
There are some things about librarianship which are not perfect,
as in any job. The pay is rather low for a job that often
requires college degrees for advancement. Also the hours are
generally longer than a typical 9-5, or may be unusual (such as
working 3-10 every day). And of course, when dealing with the
public you are bound to get a few people who come that are a
little less than savory.
|
Lifestyle
Work hours are generally pretty flexible, but of course this will depend on the
particular place in which you work. I have worked in two different libraries and
have never had any trouble getting off work or re-arranging my schedule. There
is not much required travel although in higher positions one often travels to
library conferences once or twice a year. The dress is very casual and the
social events are comparable to corporate jobs- picnics, halloween and christmas
parties, potlucks.
|
Compensation
As an entry-level, part-time worker, I am paid by the hour. I
have several years' experience and am a supervisor of the student
workers so I am paid $6.50 per hour with no witholdings. That is
high compared to other part-time jobs available in my area, most
of which start at $5.15 or $5.25.
|
Advice to Jobseekers
If you are interested in becoming a librarian, I would suggest
cultivating an interest in your local library. Checking out
books and othr materials will give you a feel for their
cataloging system (there are many systems and each library is
different). If you are interested in a career in library work,
you will need at least a bachelor's degree. You may also need to
get a Master's specializing in Libary Science. I think the job
outlook for this field is very steady, as libraries are a big
part of our society. As long as there are presidents interested
in leaving legacies, there will be jobs for librarians.
|
|
