Career Details
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Career Details

25-4022.00 - Librarians and Media Collections Specialists


Administer and maintain libraries or collections of information, for public or private access through reference or borrowing. Work in a variety of settings, such as educational institutions, museums, and corporations, and with various types of informational materials, such as books, periodicals, recordings, films, and databases. Tasks may include acquiring, cataloging, and circulating library materials, and user services such as locating and organizing information, providing instruction on how to access information, and setting up and operating a library's media equipment.


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
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Forecasted Employment
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Change in Employment
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Change in Employment %
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Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • Check books in and out of the library.
  • Teach library patrons basic computer skills, such as searching computerized databases.
  • Review and evaluate materials, using book reviews, catalogs, faculty recommendations, and current holdings to select and order print, audio-visual, and electronic resources.
  • Keep up-to-date records of circulation and materials, maintain inventory, and correct cataloging errors.
  • Search standard reference materials, including online sources and the Internet, to answer patrons' reference questions.
  • Analyze patrons' requests to determine needed information and assist in furnishing or locating that information.
  • Supervise daily library operations, budgeting, planning, and personnel activities, such as hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations.
  • Plan and teach classes on topics such as information literacy, library instruction, and technology use.
  • Confer with colleagues, faculty, and community members and organizations to conduct informational programs, make collection decisions, and determine library services to offer.
  • Code, classify, and catalog books, publications, films, audio-visual aids, and other library materials based on subject matter or standard library classification systems.
  • Respond to customer complaints, taking action as necessary.
  • Explain use of library facilities, resources, equipment, and services and provide information about library policies.
  • Plan and deliver client-centered programs and services, such as special services for corporate clients, storytelling for children, newsletters, or programs for special groups.
  • Locate unusual or unique information in response to specific requests.
  • Troubleshoot problems with audio-visual equipment.
  • Develop library policies and procedures.
  • Direct and train library staff in duties, such as receiving, shelving, researching, cataloging, and equipment use.
  • Evaluate materials to determine outdated or unused items to be discarded.
  • Develop, maintain, and troubleshoot information access aids, such as databases, annotated bibliographies, web pages, electronic pathfinders, software programs, and online tutorials.
  • Engage in professional development activities, such as taking continuing education classes and attending or participating in conferences, workshops, professional meetings, and associations.
  • Compile lists of books, periodicals, articles, and audio-visual materials on particular subjects.
  • Confer with teachers to select course materials and to determine which training aids are best suited to particular grade levels.
  • Evaluate vendor products and performance, negotiate contracts, and place orders.
  • Arrange for interlibrary loans of materials not available in a particular library.
  • Represent library or institution on internal and external committees.
  • Set up, adjust, and operate audio-visual equipment, such as cameras, film and slide projectors, and recording equipment, for meetings, events, classes, seminars, and video conferences.
  • Assemble and arrange display materials.
Generic
  • Maintain hardware and software, including computers, media equipment, scanners, color copiers, and color laser printers.
  • Train faculty and media staff on the use of software and audio-visual equipment.
Supplemental
  • Maintain inventory of audio-visual equipment.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 92%
    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
 English Language
  • 91%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Computers and Electronics
  • 85%
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
 Education and Training
  • 83%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
 Communications and Media
  • 73%
    Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
 Administration and Management
  • 70%
    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
 Clerical
  • 67%
    Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
 Telecommunications
  • 61%
    Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
 Public Safety and Security
  • 58%
    Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
 Personnel and Human Resources
  • 56%
    Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
 Mathematics
  • 55%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 Design
  • 53%
    Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
 Production and Processing
  • 52%
    Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
 Sales and Marketing
  • 51%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
 Psychology
  • 50%
    Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Audio presentation and composing equipment and hardware and controllers
  • Audio presentation systems
  • Public address PA systems
  • Sound boards
 Audio and visual equipment
  • Audio tape players
  • Compact disk CD players
  • Digital video disk DVD players
  • High speed video duplicators
  • Portable amplifiers
  • Television monitors
  • Video cassette recorders VCR
  • Wireless microphones
 Computer data input devices
  • Barcode scanners
  • Scanners
 Forming tools
  • Claw hammers
 Computers
  • Desktop computers
  • Laptop computers
  • Personal computers
 Cameras
  • Digital camcorders
  • Digital cameras
  • Still cameras
 Projectors and supplies
  • Film projectors
  • Large screen projectors
  • Liquid crystal display LCD projection systems
  • Motion picture projectors
  • Multimedia projectors
  • Opaque projectors
  • Overhead display projectors
  • Slide projectors
  • Video screens
 Microfilm equipment and supplies
  • Microfiche readers
  • Microfilm printers
  • Microfilm readers
 Personal communication devices
  • Multi-line telephone systems
 Duplicating machines
  • Photocopying equipment
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Content management software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe AcrobatHOT
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe After Effects
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Flash Player
  • Adobe Systems Adobe IllustratorHOT
  • Adobe Systems Adobe InDesignHOT
  • Adobe Systems Adobe PhotoshopHOT
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Premiere Pro
  • Apple Final Cut Pro
  • Apple iMovie
  • Blogging software
  • Desktop publishing software
  • FacebookHOT
  • Graphics software
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Microsoft Publisher
  • Microsoft VisioHOT
  • Microsoft WordHOT
  • QuarkXPress
  • Really Simple Syndication RSS
  • SmugMug FlickrHOT
  • Social networking software
  • Wiki software
  • Word processing software
 Development software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Suite
  • Cascading Style Sheets CSSHOT
  • DrupalHOT
  • Extensible HyperText Markup Language XHTML
  • Extensible markup language XMLHOT
  • Hypertext markup language HTMLHOT
  • JavaScriptHOT
  • Oracle JavaHOT
  • PHP: Hypertext PreprocessorHOT
  • Springshare LibGuides
  • Standard generalized markup language SGML
 Data management and query software
  • askSam Systems SurfSaver
  • Blackboard software
  • CatchTheWeb
  • Classification Web
  • Database software
  • Ex Libris Group Aleph
  • FileMaker Pro
  • HTTrack
  • Inmagic TextWorks
  • LexisNexis
  • Macropool Web Research
  • Microsoft AccessHOT
  • Microsoft Onfolio
  • National Library of Medicine Medline
  • Saora Keepoint
  • Structured query language SQLHOT
  • Thomson Scientific Dialog
  • Westlaw
 Industry specific software
  • Autodesk AutoCADHOT
  • CATNYP
  • Data visualization software
  • Dynix Digital Library
  • Electronic Online Systems International EOS.Web
  • Ex Libris Group Voyager
  • Infovision Amlib
  • Inmagic Genie
  • Innovative Interfaces Millennium
  • Kelowna Software L4U
  • MC2 Systems Auto Librarian
  • National Library of Medicine DOCLINE
  • Online Computer Library Center OCLC
  • PrimaSoft PC Small Library Organizer Pro
  • RCL Software Media Library Manager
  • SirsiDynix Symphony
  • StataCorp Stata
  • Surpass
  • WebClarity Software BookWhere
  • WorldCat
 Information exchange software
  • Email software
  • Microsoft OutlookHOT
 Business function specific software
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
  • Microsoft SharePointHOT
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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Certifications
FastForward at Virginia's Community Colleges is a short-term training program for high-demand industries, like healthcare, information technology, and skilled trades and infrastructure, helping Virginians get the jobs and salaries they need. Our goal is to get you trained, help you earn your certification, and get you into a career that can support you and your family. Explore the latest training program offerings by visiting FastForward
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific certifications are listed for this career
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
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Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
Emory & Henry University