Occupation · SOC 25-4022
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.
Median wage
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Projected growth
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Annual openings
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per year
Employed (US)
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Job Zone 5
Typical preparation
Extensive preparation
Stackable credential programs
318 mapped
Core skills
SpeakingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningWritingCritical ThinkingService OrientationMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessActive LearningTime ManagementJudgment and Decision MakingInstructingComplex Problem SolvingLearning StrategiesCoordinationManagement of Material ResourcesPersuasionManagement of Personnel ResourcesNegotiationSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisManagement of Financial ResourcesProgrammingMathematicsOperations AnalysisOperations MonitoringTechnology DesignQuality Control AnalysisTroubleshootingScienceOperation and ControlInstallationEquipment SelectionEquipment MaintenanceRepairing
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageComputers and ElectronicsEducation and TrainingAdministrativeCommunications and MediaAdministration and ManagementPsychologyPublic Safety and SecurityMathematicsSales and MarketingPersonnel and Human ResourcesSociology and AnthropologyLaw and GovernmentGeographyHistory and ArcheologyTelecommunicationsProduction and ProcessingEconomics and AccountingPhilosophy and TheologyDesignEngineering and TechnologyFine ArtsMechanicalTherapy and CounselingForeign LanguageChemistryTransportationBiologyMedicine and DentistryBuilding and ConstructionPhysicsFood Production
Technology & tools
Adobe AcrobatAdobe After EffectsAdobe Creative Cloud softwareAdobe DreamweaverAdobe IllustratorAdobe InDesignAdobe PhotoshopAdobe Premiere ProApple Final Cut ProApple iMovieAutodesk AutoCADBlackboard softwareBlogging softwareCATNYPCascading style sheets CSSCatchTheWebClassification WebData visualization softwareDatabase softwareDesktop publishing softwareDrupalDynix Digital LibraryElectronic Online Systems International EOS.WebEmail softwareEx Libris Group AlephEx Libris Group VoyagerExtensible hypertext markup language XHTMLExtensible markup language XMLFacebookFileMaker ProGoogle Workspace softwareGraphics softwareHTTrackHypertext markup language HTMLInfovision AmlibInmagic GenieInmagic TextWorksInnovative Interfaces MillenniumJavaScriptKelowna Software L4U
Representative tasks
Working with ComputersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsGetting InformationUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersTraining and Teaching OthersThinking CreativelyOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsProcessing InformationDocumenting/Recording InformationPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesAnalyzing Data or InformationScheduling Work and ActivitiesPerforming Administrative ActivitiesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersCoaching and Developing OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsAssisting and Caring for OthersHandling and Moving ObjectsGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationSelling or Influencing OthersPerforming General Physical ActivitiesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsControlling Machines and ProcessesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentStaffing Organizational UnitsOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Circulation procedures — execute check-in and check-out transactions accurately under the guidance of senior librarians in a public or academic library setting.Reference materials and online databases — search standard sources to locate answers to patron inquiries under close supervisory review.Library catalog records — identify and flag cataloging errors for correction following established protocols in an integrated library system.Basic computer instruction — assist patrons with fundamental database searching and internet navigation under the direction of experienced staff.Collection review resources — apply book reviews and acquisition catalogs to support material evaluation tasks assigned by senior colleagues.Patron information needs — gather and clarify request details using structured intake procedures in a supervised reference desk environment.Library software platforms — enter and retrieve circulation and inventory data accurately within established workflows and system guidelines.Information literacy concepts — introduce foundational library instruction topics to small groups under the mentorship of a lead librarian.Professional reading and active learning — monitor current developments in library science literature to build foundational domain knowledge.Scheduling and staffing records — assist with routine personnel documentation and shift coordination under administrative supervision.
developing
Circulation and inventory systems — manage daily check-in, check-out, and inventory reconciliation with minimal oversight in a branch or departmental library.Patron reference interviews — conduct active-listening-based consultations to analyze information needs and furnish targeted resources across multiple subject areas.Collection development workflow — review faculty recommendations, usage data, and current holdings to recommend print, audio-visual, and electronic acquisitions independently.Computerized database instruction — teach recurring patron workshops on database searching and digital literacy tools with limited supervisory input.Cataloging quality control — identify, document, and correct metadata errors in bibliographic records using established cataloging standards and library software.Information literacy sessions — plan and deliver structured classes on research skills and technology use to undergraduate or community patron groups.Web and document management tools — create and maintain basic library web content and digital resource guides using web-editing and desktop publishing software.Reference resource evaluation — assess the currency and authority of online and print sources to resolve complex patron queries in a timely manner.Budget tracking — monitor departmental expenditure reports and flag variances against approved allocations for supervisor review.Staff coordination — assist in scheduling and onboarding new library employees according to established human resources procedures.
proficient
Full-scope reference services — independently resolve non-routine and complex patron research inquiries by synthesizing print, electronic, and archival resources across disciplines.Strategic collection management — autonomously evaluate, select, and deselect print, audio-visual, and electronic resources using critical analysis of reviews, usage metrics, and curricular alignment.Information literacy curriculum — design, teach, and assess multi-session courses on information literacy, academic research, and emerging technology use for diverse patron populations.Cataloging and metadata standards — apply and adapt national cataloging frameworks to resolve complex classification problems and ensure collection discoverability.Technology instruction program — develop and continuously revise patron training initiatives covering database platforms, video creation tools, and library software in response to evolving user needs.Library operations management — oversee daily operations including budgeting, workflow optimization, and performance monitoring across multiple service units without supervisory intervention.Personnel development — conduct hiring interviews, deliver training, create schedules, and perform formal performance evaluations for library support staff.Digital resource integration — lead implementation of new information retrieval and database systems, ensuring seamless interoperability with existing library software infrastructure.Patron service quality — apply social perceptiveness and empathy to resolve escalated service challenges and sustain high satisfaction across diverse user communities.Data-driven decision making — analyze circulation statistics, reference transaction logs, and collection usage data to inform service improvements and resource allocation.
advanced
Institutional library strategy — set the long-range vision, mission, and strategic priorities for library services aligned with organizational and community goals at executive or director level.Collection development policy — author and institutionalize collection development frameworks governing selection, licensing, preservation, and deselection of all resource formats organization-wide.Information literacy leadership — establish library-wide instructional design standards and lead a team of librarians in developing accreditation-aligned information literacy programs.Organizational budget governance — develop, defend, and steward multi-year departmental budgets, negotiating vendor contracts and advocating for resource allocations to senior administration.Workforce leadership — direct full-cycle talent management including recruitment, professional development pathways, succession planning, and performance culture for all library personnel.Technology ecosystem direction — lead enterprise-level evaluation, procurement, and implementation of library software, data management platforms, and emerging digital tools across the institution.Cross-institutional partnerships — forge consortial agreements, accreditation collaborations, and community partnerships that expand access to collections and services beyond institutional boundaries.Scholarly communication and open access — drive institutional policy on open access, data management, and scholarly publishing to advance knowledge dissemination at scale.Professional community influence — contribute to national standards bodies, publish in peer-reviewed library science venues, and mentor emerging professionals to advance the field.Equity and inclusion in library services — lead institution-wide initiatives ensuring equitable access to information resources, culturally responsive collections, and inclusive instructional programming.
Also known as
72 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Access Services LibrarianAcquisitions LibrarianAudio Visual Aids Technician (AV Aids Tech)Audio Visual Collections Coordinator (AV Collections Coordinator)Audio Visual Commissioning Specialist (AV Commissioning Specialist)Audio Visual Coordinator (AV Coordinator)Audio Visual Specialist (AV Specialist)BibliographerBookmobile LibrarianCatalog LibrarianCatalogerCatalogue LibrarianCataloguerChemical LibrarianChildren's LibrarianCirculation ManagerClassifierCollection Development LibrarianDigital LibrarianDocument ManagerElectronic Resources LibrarianElementary LibrarianElementary School LibrarianFilm LibrarianGovernment Documents LibrarianHospital LibrarianInformation ScientistInstitution LibrarianInstruction LibrarianInstructional Services CoordinatorInstructional TechnologistInstructional Technology SpecialistInterlibrary Loan Services LibrarianInternational Broadcast Music LibrarianLaw LibrarianLibrarianLibrary AssociateLibrary Media SpecialistLibrary Services CoordinatorLibrary Services Specialist