Job Description for Subject Librarians
People who love books, enjoy helping others learn and have expertise in a specific area such as art or music can find a career as a subject librarian to be a rewarding one. Subject librarians work primarily in colleges and universities and hold master's degrees in library science.
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Identification
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The University of North Dakota notes on its website that subject librarians (also known as academic librarians) are responsible for selecting material in their areas of expertise, such as literature, music or psychology. Subject librarians typically work in academic settings such as colleges and university libraries.
Function
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A large part of a subject librarian's duties revolves around showing students how to perform research most effectively in a specific area. Subject librarians are skilled in using computer databases and finding resource materials that will best serve a student's research goals.
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Training
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that a Master of Library Science is required for most librarian positions. Aspiring subject librarians should seek out one of the 49 programs nationwide accredited by the American Library Association, as accredited programs are preferred by employers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Master of Library Science students study the history of books, how information is organized, and systems for cataloguing books and other reference materials. Some schools, such as Drexel University, require students to take several courses in information systems, reflecting the increased role of computers in library science. Many subject librarians have additional educational background in their specialty area. For example, an art subject librarian might hold an undergraduate or graduate degree in fine arts or art history.
Certification
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Graduation from an American Library Association-accredited library science program prepares subject librarians to enter the field. However, they may benefit from participating in organizations such as the Association of College & Research Libraries. The association is the division of the American Library Association geared toward subject librarians. Member librarians can attend local chapter meetings and annual conferences, as well as participate in committees focused around various interest groups, such as health sciences.
Potential
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that the median annual salary for librarians was $52,530 in May of 2008 and that job prospects are "favorable," particularly as librarians retire, which creates more job openings.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit library books image by Daughterson from Fotolia.com
