Librarians

HOW TO GET THERE

Typical pathway

A typical path starts in secondary school with strong English, history, and computer skills, plus volunteer or part-time experience in a school, public, or special library. After that, many people earn a postsecondary degree, and often complete a library and information studies master’s program, though exact education can vary by employer, province, and role. Some begin in related jobs such as library technician or assistant work before moving into librarian roles. Helpful experience includes customer service, research, organizing information, and leading programs or tours for different age groups.

THE WORK

What you may do

Legacy duties

• Recommend acquisition of books, periodicals and audio-visual, interactive media and other materials for inclusion in library collection
• Provide reference services
• Select, classify, catalogue and weed library materials
• Prepare bibliographies, indexes, reading lists, guides and other finding aids
• Develop systems to access library collections
• Perform manual, on-line and interactive media reference searches, make interlibrary loans and perform other functions using Internet and CD-ROM, to assist users in accessing library materials
• Provide specialized programs for children, seniors and other groups
• Conduct library information and orientation training programs and tours
• Perform related administrative duties and supervise library technicians, assistants and clerks.

SKILLS TO BUILD

Skills used in this Career