I hope that you're enjoying our new blog series that discusses specific jobs available right now with an MLIS degree. This series got me thinking, however, that not everyone is ready to start their job hunt - perhaps, you're just starting your career as an MLIS student or perhaps you are undecided about your specific career goals. Well, this is the blog series just for you!

In this Career Goals series, I'll review typical librarian positions, including a job description and the necessary skill sets, and offer links for further reading. I'll be starting with some of the standard positions available within public libraries. I hope that you'll be able to use these descriptions as a reference to guide you in decision-making about your own career and to give you some guidelines about how to reach your goals with a Master's in Library and Information Science.

The Reference Librarian

The archetypal librarian position is the Reference Librarian - ready to hunt down the most obscure tidbits you can imagine, and so knowledgeable about resources that s/he appears almost omniscient!

Essential duties:

1. Provides reference service to patrons in person, on the phone, and via email. Any MLIS degree should have a reference course as one of its core courses. In this class, you'll learn about many different kinds of resources (from bibliographies to databases) and how to navigate them. There should also be an advanced level reference course available as an elective.
   

2. Develops reading, reference, and research materials through selection and purchase of books, materials, and equipment. This is learned primarily through a collection development course. This is unlikely to be a required course in the program, however it should be a part of any program or specialization focused on public libraries.
   

3. Promotes interest in library as a community resource by visiting and speaking to school, civic, cultural, and social organizations. This is the marketing aspect of librarianship and it is becoming increasingly critical as a skill for new librarians. Be sure to take a class that addresses marketing - core introductory classes and management classes should cover this. Make yourself even more marketable by looking for a MLIS program that offers coursework on social networking and online marketing.
   

4. Plans and organizes special programs involving the use of library resources. It's difficult to create a course focused on programming in general as it is so broad - from children and teen specific events, to computer skills classes, to book clubs. Many classes, however, will require a project in which you create a program or learn some of the necessary skills. For example, a reference course may require you to create a program or an information technology class may address how to teach about productivity tools or gaming.
   

5. Interacts with community resources to enhance reference collection and patron information opportunities. I like to think of this as the 'never stops learning' requirement. A reference librarian, even when the degree is complete, is always learning and always trying to stay on top of local and current events, community needs, and the innumerable resources available online to augment local resources.
   

6. Participates in the updating of automated reference systems and related technology. Technology skills cannot be underrated. Hiring librarians expect recent graduates to be up-to-date here, and these skills can make you stand out from other applicants. Any Master's program should require a basic technology course, but if you're at all inclined, don't stop there! Productivity tools (like MS Office) are an absolute must, and other advanced coursework or practical skills related to technology will only help!
   

7. Provides training and supervision to volunteer staff. While management and/or teaching experience of some kind is always desirable, a solid practically-oriented Library Science program will require a management course as part of the degree.
   

Skills/Education: The MLIS itself is generally the primary requirement. The other needed skills listed below are essentially based on the duties above. Notice, in particular, that technology skills comes up multiple times. Also, if you don't have experience in a library, find a program that supports and encourages a practicum as part of your degree. This opportunity is critical to gaining the experience that employers are looking for.

One last note on supervisory skills: if you don't have them be sure to get involved with student groups (and take that management course) - not only is it great for networking and learning about current events in the field, but it is a great way to gain some supervising experience.

1. Operate computers and office equipment .

2. Handle books, software, and a variety of media formats.

3. Apply principles of library science to solve practical problems in situations where only limited standardization exists.

4. Supervise:supervisory methods, including work delegation, scheduling, evaluating performance and maintaining morale.

5. Working knowledge of computer applications for library services.

6. Work effectively with library staff and patrons.

If you want even more detailed descriptions of professional competencies for reference librarians, be sure to head over to RUSA (Reference and User Services Association).

I hope you've found this useful and that this will serve as a resource to guide your career decisions. Most importantly, I want to thank Kim Dority and Crystal King for allowing me to use their descriptions. Be on the lookout for a new publication from Kim this fall on more LIS career options!

Photo courtesy of Wootpeanuts.

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