Public Librarianship - It’s More Than You Think.
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.
What are the educational requirements?
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.
What scholarship opportunities are available?
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.
Where can I find salary 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).
Rank Order of Position Types by Mean of Salaries Paid, Public Libraries, Comparison of 2006 and 2007
|
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.
What does the future hold for public librarians?
“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.
Where can I find the public library closest to me?
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.
Fast facts
- There are 8,981 public libraries (administrative entities) and a total of 15,994 buildings (including branches) in the United States. (Source: American Library Association Public Information Office, 1998.)
- Americans visited their public library an average of seven times in 1998 and 64% of Americans visited a public library at least once in the last year-up from 51% in 1978. One in 10 visit the library more than 25 times a year. (Source: American Library Association Public Information Office, 1998.)
- 10 Reasons Why the Internet Is No Substitute for a Library
Other library associations and organizations
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
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