What Degree Is Required to Become a Librarian?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) describes librarians as information professionals tasked with helping people find information for personal and professional use. Librarians typically earn a graduate degree -- a master's in library science -- as a prerequisite for employment in public, school and special libraries. Librarians who work in elementary and secondary schools may need additional certification in addition to earning a graduate degree.
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Educational Requirements
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Prospective librarians should seek out graduate programs that are accredited by the American Library Association (ALA). According to the BLS, there are 49 such programs in the United States. Librarians who work in academic or special libraries may also be required to have degrees related to the subject in which they specialize. For example, a librarian with an undergraduate degree in biology and a master's in library science might find employment at a medical library.
Training
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A master's degree in library science can be completed on a full-time or part-time basis in one or two years. Students are exposed to topics such as the history of books and libraries, and research methods. At the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, graduate students can develop concentrations related to the area in which they wish to work upon graduation. For example, an aspiring school librarian could select a concentration in youth and literature services while a prospective special librarian could develop a concentration in special library collections.
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Certification
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The BLS notes that most states in the U.S. require librarians in the K-12 schools system to be certified. The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) suggests that individuals interested in becoming school librarians seek out ALA-accredited programs that offer certifications in school librarianship. These concentrations help prepare students to meet certification requirements after graduating and allow for more movement among librarian specialties. For those who are certain that they want to spend their career in schools, a master's degree in education with a school librarian specialization is an alternative option.
Career Outlook
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The BLS observes that while the job outlook for librarians is expected to be "favorable" through the year 2018, the large influx of MLS graduates may result in keen competition for some positions. Librarians who have developed research skills while in graduate school -- particularly with respect to the Internet and computer databases -- will fare best when seeking employment. As of May 2008, the majority of librarians -- some 59 percent -- were employed by public and private educational institutions, and the median annual wage for librarians was $52,530.
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References
- Photo Credit library books image by Daughterson from Fotolia.com
