Should I be a librarian?

Do librarians get paid to read all day? Not quite!

Reading is an essential skill but there’s so much more to know if you are considering a career as a librarian.

Increasing access to information is a core part of being a librarian.

Librarians help people find information no matter what shape it takes!

On a day to day basis librarians might:

• Develop programs for library users

• Order books/ebooks and other materials

• Fix a broken computer

• Assist job seekers

• Answer questions via phone, email, or chat

• Prepare a budget

• Supervise other employees

• Help with research projects

• Suggest books based on reading level or interests

• Digitize materials for online access

• Publish articles in academic journals

• Public librarians work in their communities and serve all members of the public.

• Academic librarians work for colleges and universities and assist students and faculty with research.

• School librarians work in schools at the elementary and secondary level to support the literacy and research skills of students.

• Special librarians can work for corporations, law offices, museums, and medical environments. They serve the very specific information needs of those organizations.

  

The average yearly salary for a librarian in Canada is C$60,782.

The average yearly salary for a librarian in the United States is $60,013.

• You’re a lifelong learner and willing to continually update your knowledge and skills.

• You’re great at explaining information in ways that people can understand.

• You love working as part of a team.

• You’re looking for a fulfilling career helping others.

• You don’t consider yourself a people person.

• You think being a librarian will be a quiet and calm job.

• You don't want to go to graduate school.

  

Want to learn more?