Public Librarianship

Public librarians are technology experts, information detectives, managers, literacy experts, trainers, community programming coordinators, reader advisers, children's storytellers, material reviewers and buyers -- a public librarian's job offers a diverse and exciting range of responsibilities, projects, and opportunities.

Coursework to prepare for public library positions:

• S504 (L520) - Cataloging
• S501 (L524) - Reference
• S502 (L528) - Collection Development and Management
• S552 (new course, developed from L550) - Academic Library Management or S553 (new course, developed from L550) - Public Library Management
• S505 (L651) - Evaluation of Resources and Services
• Other useful courses include: S554 (L526) - Library Systems; S532 (L571) - Information Architecture for the Web; S640 (L608) - Seminar in Intellectual Freedom
• Preparation for work with children and young adults should include: S571 (L533) - Materials for Youth and other courses and workshops for which this is a prerequisite.
• Preparation for work with adults should include electives such as: S524 (L622) - Adult Readers Advisory; S521 (L623) - Humanities Information; S523 (L624) - Science and Technology Information; S522 (L625) - Social Science Information; S525 (L628) - Government Information; S526 (L629) - Business Information

Job Outlook for this field:

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook reports, "librarians are needed to manage staff, help users develop database searching techniques, address complicated reference requests, and define users' needs. Despite expectations of slower-than-average employment growth, the need to replace librarians as they retire will result in numerous additional job openings.

"Applicants for librarian jobs in large metropolitan areas, where most graduates prefer to work, usually face competition; those willing to work in rural areas should have better job prospects. Librarians with primarily administrative duties often have greater earnings. Median annual earnings (year 2000) of public librarians was $38,370."

Qualities employers seek:

• strong public service orientation
• ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations
• ability to understand, analyze, and solve problems
• ability to represent the library's services and resources to the public
• information technology skills, especially ability to use the World Wide Web effectively
• knowledge of collection development principles and practices
• ability to work in teams
• ability to interact effectively with library users from all walks of life

Opportunities to gain experience:

The Monroe County Public Library provides internships in Children and Young Adult Services, Historical Collections and Services, Jail Librarianship, Multimedia and Video Services, and Reference Services. Look at these and other listings at the SLIS Internships page.

Professional Associations:

• Public Library Association of the American Library Association
  http://www.pla.org/
• Indiana Library Federation
  http://www.ilfonline.org/

Interested in knowing more? Contact:

• Beverly Martin, Johnson County Public Library (Franklin, Ind.), bmartin@jcplin.org
• Mickey (Michelle) Needham, Monroe County Public Library, mneedham@monroe.lib.in.us
• or make an appointment to talk with a librarian at your local public library