Life in Libraryland

What do Librarians do?

• Answer Questions• Buy Books, CDs, DVDs,

Magazines, Audio Books, etc.

• Weed Books• Design Web Pages• Catalog• Create booklists and

flyers• Plan Programs• Represent the Library in

the Community• Network with other

Librarians • Research

• Teach people how to access the Internet

• Teach people how to use the Library

• Give talks to groups• Book Talks• Blog• Organize Materials• Make Policy• Work with Boards• Supervise other people • Write Grants

School Subjects

"One of the great joys of being a librarian is that it is the last refuge of the renaissance person - everything you have ever read or learned or picked up is likely to come in handy."- GraceAnne A. DeCandido, Ten Graces for New Librarians

Education

Masters Degree in Library Science (High School + College + Grad School) Wayne State University University of MichiganVarious schools offer Online Degrees

Library Technician Degree (High School + Community College)Oakland Community College

Media Specialist (High School + College with a Teaching Degree + Grad School)

School Library

Elementary, middle, or high school

Public

Academic

• College or University

Special

Industry (SAPPI or Howmet)Medical (Hackley or Mercy-General)Government/LawMedia (CNN or CBS)MusicDatabase VendorsIndexing

Working Conditions

Hours

Buildings can be old:

Or New

Stress?

Connected to Other Librarians?

Salaries

• Entry Level: $20/hour or $40,000 per year

• Directors: +$70,000

• Health Insurance• Pension• Paid Holidays• Vacation

Benefits

Advancement

• Librarian I

• Librarian II

Personal Qualities

• Curiosity• Friendliness• Creativity• Patience• Good Listener

• Tenacious• Responsible• Flexible• Quick Thinker• Good

Communication Skills

Types of Librarians

YouthReferenceTechnical ServicesGovernment DocumentsAdministration

Advice

• Be Curious

• Read a lot about a lot

• Read about things you like

• Take classes in lots of different subjects

• Learn about computers

• Read some more

• Think hard about what you really like to do, then find a career that lets you do it.