Librarians / Library Media Specialist

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.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Catalog Librarian; Cataloger; Librarian; Library Media Specialist; Reference and Instruction Librarian; Reference Librarian; Research Librarian; School Librarian; Technical Services Librarian; University Librarian

Tasks

• Search standard reference materials, including online sources and the Internet, to answer patrons' reference questions.
• Analyze patrons' requests to determine needed information and assist in furnishing or locating that information.
• Supervise daily library operations, budgeting, planning, and personnel activities, such as hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations.
• Plan and teach classes on topics such as information literacy, library instruction, and technology use.
• Code, classify, and catalog books, publications, films, audio-visual aids, and other library materials, based on subject matter or standard library classification systems.
• Confer with colleagues, faculty, and community members and organizations to conduct informational programs, make collection decisions, and determine library services to offer.
• Review and evaluate materials, using book reviews, catalogs, faculty recommendations, and current holdings to select and order print, audio-visual, and electronic resources.
• Evaluate vendor products and performance, negotiate contracts, and place orders.
• Direct and train library staff in duties, such as receiving, shelving, researching, cataloging, and equipment use.
• Arrange for interlibrary loans of materials not available in a particular library.
• Teach library patrons basic computer skills, such as searching computerized databases.
• Check books in and out of the library.
• Keep up-to-date records of circulation and materials, maintain inventory, and correct cataloging errors.
• Locate unusual or unique information in response to specific requests.
• Explain use of library facilities, resources, equipment, and services, and provide information about library policies.

Knowledge

• Customer and Personal Service
• English Language
• Education and Training
• Computers and Electronics
• Administration and Management
• Administrative
• Communications and Media

Skills

• Reading Comprehension
• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Writing
• Critical Thinking
• Monitoring
• Active Learning
• Learning Strategies

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
• Written Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Information Ordering
• Near Vision
• Written Expression
• Category Flexibility
• Speech Recognition
• Speech Clarity
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Fluency of Ideas
• Originality
• Problem Sensitivity
• Speed of Closure
• Selective Attention