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
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingWritingMonitoringService OrientationActive Learning
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageComputers and ElectronicsEducation and TrainingAdministrative
Technology & tools
Document management softwareVideo creation and editing softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareWeb page creation and editing softwareDesktop publishing software
Representative tasks
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.Maintain inventory of audio-visual equipment.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.
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
125 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Historian Helper (Air Force 3H011)Elementary LibrarianHistorian Superintendent (Air Force 3H091)Historian Craftsman (Air Force 3H071)CatalogerOutreach LibrarianDocument ManagerResearch LibrarianPublic Affairs Manager (Air Force 3N000)BibliographerMaster Photojournalist (Navy A08A)Medical LibrarianMedia LibrarianCirculation ManagerPublic Affairs Specialist (Coast Guard PA)Public Affairs Apprentice (Air Force 3N036)Visual Information Equipment Operator-Maintainer (Army 46T)Government Documents LibrarianAudio Visual Collections Coordinator (AV Collections Coordinator)Librarian, Special LibraryHistorian Journeyman (Air Force 3H051)Chemical LibrarianBookmobile LibrarianMetadata LibrarianCommunication Strategy and Operations Chief (Marine Corps 4591)Elementary School LibrarianMedia Specialist, School LibraryAudio Visual Specialist (AV Specialist)Multimedia Services CoordinatorHistorian Manager (Air Force 3H000)Media SpecialistEducation And Training Apprentice (Air Force 3F231)Instructional Technology SpecialistPublic Affairs (Air Force 3N0X6)Combat Graphics Specialist (Marine Corps 4512)Historian (Air Force 3H0X1)Public Affairs Journeyman (Air Force 3N056)Librarian, Special CollectionsInstruction LibrarianEducation And Training Helper (Air Force 3F211)