A public librarian does more than check out books. Technology expert, information detective, manager, literacy expert, trainer, community programming coordinator, reader advisor, children’s storyteller, material reviewer and buyer—a public librarian’s job offers a diverse and exciting range of responsibilities, projects, and opportunities.
Read about some real life public librarians, how they choose their profession, and why they love it.
Most public library positions require a Master of Library Science (MLS) degree, preferably from a school accredited by the American Library Association (ALA). Undergraduate degrees in almost any subject area are appropriate.
The American Library Association (ALA) provides a variety of scholarship opportunities.
Among the scholarships ALA offers for continuing library education are the Spectrum Scholarships for African American, Latino/Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Native American/Alaskan Native students in graduate programs in library and information studies and the Century Scholarships for graduate students with disabilities.
Other library associations and libraries may also offer education reimbursement or scholarships. Check the Web pages of your local library or the pages of the organizations listed in the reference section below.
Available through the American Library Association Human Resource Development and Recruitment Office is the publication: “Financial Assistance for Library and Information Studies.” Call 1-800-545-2433, ext. 4281, for more information.
Public library salaries vary depending upon your experience, the size of the library, and what region of the country the library is located in. Most professional positions within public libraries require a master’s degree in library and information studies. According to "The 2007 ALA-APA Salary Survey: Librarian - Public and Academic," for all six categories and both academic and public libraries combined, the average salary was $57,809, up 2.8 percent from 2006, and the median was $53,000. The average salaries for Beginning Librarians were $41,334 for public ($40,026 in 2006) and $48,365 for academic ($42,186 in 2006).
| PUBLIC Regional Salary Data 2006 |
PUBLIC Regional Salary Data 2007 |
N (2007) | Difference in Mean Salaries | |
| Director/Dean/Chief Officer | 76,286 | 77,200 | 414 | 914 |
| Deputy/Associate/Assistant Director | 70,498 | 74,942 | 277 | 4,444 |
| Department Head/Branch Manager/Coordinator/Senior Manager | 58,184 | 60,327 | 1,587 | 2,143 |
| Manager/Supervisor of Support Staff | 48,555 | 50,722 | 456 | 2,167 |
| Librarian Who Does Not Supervise | 45,782 | 47,772 | 1,674 | 1,990 |
| Beginning Librarian | 40,026 | 41,334 | 196 | 1,308 |
| Total | 4,604 |
Public librarian gains were smaller overall, but they were still higher than the CPI for every position but Director. The average salary for deputies showed an increase of 6.3 percent from 2006 ($74,942). Mean salaries for Supervisors of Support Staff (4.46 percent, $50,722), Librarians Who Do Not Supervise (4.35 percent, $47,772), Department Heads (3.68 percent, $60,327) and Beginning Librarians (3.27 percent, $41,334) outperformed the ECI for government workers at 3.1 percent in the final quarter of 2005.
“Occupational Outlook Quarterly Online, Winter 2000” (available at http://stats.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2000/winter/contents.htm) notes that the number of librarian jobs is projected to grow about 5 percent between 1998 and 2008. By 2008, librarians are expected to hold more than 159,000 jobs—7,000 more than they did in 1998. Retiring Baby Boomer librarians and those leaving the profession for other reasons will create about 39,000 job openings from 1998–2008. Additionally, librarians’ technological skills have improved their employment prospects.
If you aren’t a user of your local public library, start now! Using your zip code, www.connectnet.org will connect you to places where you can use a computer, get on the Internet, and often get help learning about technology—usually for free! This is most often your local public library.
Or check the phone book. A call to any library in your area will connect you with reference librarians who can tell you where the closest library is and how to get there.
Visiting the library and observing the work of the staff there will give you an idea of what is involved, though you won’t see all the behind-the-scenes work. Talk to the staff and ask questions. Consider volunteering at the library or, if paying jobs are available, apply for those you are qualified for. Volunteers may be asked to shelve books, help with computers, answer questions. Paid workers may check out books, create displays, assist librarians and oversee staff or volunteers. Some public libraries provide opportunities for their staffs to work toward their MLS degrees while working at the library.
American Association of Law Libraries
American Library Association
Council on Library and Information Resources
Freedom to Read Foundation
Institute of Museum and Library Services
Medical Library Association
National Commission on Libraries and Information Science
Public Library Association
Society of American Archivists
Special Libraries Association
Urban Libraries Council