What Are the Education Requirements to be a Librarian?
As a librarian, you'll oversee library operations, supervise employees, manage inventory and work with emerging information technologies. Read on to learn about education and licensing options.
What Should I Study to Become A Librarian?
To become a public librarian, you'll need to study library and information science at the graduate level. Several schools offer master's degree programs in library science to prepare you for state licensure and employment. With an undergraduate degree, you can qualify for a few administrative and assistant positions, such as archiving or information systems support.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Program Levels</b></td><td> Bachelor's and master's degrees available in library and information science</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Common Undergraduate Courses</b></td><td>Classification and cataloging, networking, records management, storytelling, public speaking</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Common Graduate Courses</b></td><td>Library systems management, bibliographies, rare books, collection development, program planning</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Online Availability</b></td><td> Master's programs may be fully or partially online</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Certification and Licensure</b></td><td> Certification or licensure may be required or encouraged for library jobs; school librarians might need a teacher's license</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)</b></td><td>$60,820* (<i>for librarians</i>)</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2019-29)</b></td><td>5% growth* (<i>for all librarians</i>)</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatWillAnUndergraduateProgramTeachMe">What Will An Undergraduate Program Teach Me?</h3><p>An undergraduate program in library and information science generally prepares you for entry-level librarian assistant work and continued studies into a master's degree program. Bachelor's courses focus on combining business and computer courses to provide a technology-based skills and knowledge foundation. Business courses often include group communications, networking, information ethics, Web design, records management, public speaking and customer relations. You'll also study library science courses, such as classification and cataloging, storytelling, literary history, library media and information storage.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatWillIStudyAtTheGraduateLevel">What Will I Study At The Graduate Level?</h3><p>You'll usually need to earn a master's degree in library and information science to become a librarian at a public school or library. You can find several colleges and universities that offer fully or partially online programs, giving you the convenience of studying on your own schedule. Master's curricula cover the theory and practice of library science and teach you critical decision making, program planning and library systems management. Courses include instruction in manual and Web-based database and index archiving, bibliographies, digital library management and collection development. You'll study a variety of literary works and assorted book types, such as rare books, adult books, children's literature, reference books and theological texts.
</p><h3 id="section---DoINeedLicensure">Do I Need Licensure?</h3><p>You'll usually need to obtain state licensure or certification to work in a public school, city, county or state library system. State regulations vary, though you'll need a master's degree in some form of library education. If you choose to work in a school library, you might need to obtain a state teaching license in addition to your librarian license. Public community libraries could require or strongly recommend professional state certification.</p>