LePine, Melissa Lynn - Librarian

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[edit] Job Title

Librarian (i.e., bibliographer, cataloguer, researcher, cybrarian, library consultant, library supervisor, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/chief librarian…etc.)

[edit] General Overview

Librarians are library and information professionals.

As experts, they are responsible for accessing, analyzing, organizing, evaluating, preserving, researching and presenting information found in all types of formats.

Librarians are no longer merely concerned with books; in addition, librarians are responsible for managing digital data and a variety of new forms of information.

There are the typical images of the librarian who is working in the academic environment and the public librarians who work in public libraries; however, the extent of a librarian’s knowledge and responsibilities has expanded to working in corporations, law firms, and government institutions in a variety of roles such as a prospect researcher who works in development on identifying donor prospects (identifying people who might contribute time or money to given institution or event).

(e.g., prospect research analyst: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs2/view/29032060?trk=jobs_home_click_jymbii&refId=7a576e8c-7190-4d43-ac78-9774a6a2bb41)

Librarians are information experts in a digital age.

[edit] Job Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities and abilities/skills expected of a librarian, and some of the day-to-day problems a librarian may encounter:

Be able to manage certain functions of a library and information services available such as establishing information policies and procedures, manage the budget and develop cost-effective library and information services, technology and media. This may involve ordering materials and prepare relevant reports related to library resources and activities.

Provide effective access to library collections and resources by developing and maintaining collections management policies and procedure; this would include original cataloguing and classification of all resources (print, audio-visual and electronic resources).

Provide library services in response to the information needs of library users by responding to daily on-site requests for information; be able to train library users to effectively search the library catalogue, internet and other electronic resources and provide an interlibrary loan service for both book and audiovisual materials and maintain records.

[edit] Typical Work Day (see interview below)

‘Ms. R’ is a retired librarian (Head, Children’s Services) in the Children’s Department of the St. Catharines Library System (includes Central, Grantham, and Merritt Libraries). Below, I will outline a typical day that she has encountered:

Ms. R will:

Check mail, email and telephone messages; respond quickly to priority messages (e.g., a question or request from her supervisor or CEO);

Read book and media reviews and mark the reviews for order purposes; Assist staff with any questions that they may have regarding their own projects and/or patron requests (i.e., staff may ask for help resourcing material for a public member/patron);

Prepare Departmental Schedule (includes staffing, staff hours--part time and full time employees--to make sure that the floor is always covered);

Attend Department Heads’ Meeting, reporting on her department and being involved in decisions regarding library policy and procedures;

Cover the public information desk so that other staff can go on their respective breaks--assist the public in finding information and/or recommending reading material; and

Deal with a complaint from a library patron so that the ‘user’ is satisfied (this may depend on library policy and judgement within her experience because there are times when certain rules can be set aside to make sure that needs are met successfully (Generally, the goal of a librarian is to make a ‘friend’ of a patron as a library supporter).

There are many other tasks such as interviewing prospective staff, developing programs for children, and staff evaluations.

[edit] Educational Requirements and Other Qualifications

A master's degree in library science is required. Admission Requirements: Four-year university degree or equivalent. Students from a variety of academic backgrounds in the arts, humanities, social sciences and sciences are encouraged to apply. Average of at least 70% in the last two years of full-time study.

In Canada:

Province of Ontario:

University of Western Ontario: For example: Master’s Degree of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program is widely recognized as one of the best programs of its kind in North America. The curriculum stresses an exploration of the literature of the discipline and the development of advanced research skills and aims to graduate qualified professionals with a thorough knowledge of theory and practice in library and information science. There are 3 Terms (1 year); Full-time or part-time study available; Course-based program. [1]

Or Online: University of Toronto: ischool/lis. [2]

Province of Alberta: University of Alberta. This University offers an online part-time program for MLIS as well as the full-time program. [3]

Province of Nova Scotia: Dalhousie University. This University offers a program collaboratively with an undergraduate degree in the following: Law (MLIS/JD), Public administration (MLIS/MPA) and Resource and environmental management (MLIS/MREM). [4]

International: United States

State University of New York at Buffalo (UB); this University offers a 12-month program as well as part-time studies, and students can specialize in concentrations such as law, music or school. [5]

[edit] Related Skills, Interests and Abilities

Motivation: having the desire or drive to learn and become competent in the workplace is important, ensuring that library services meet the needs of particular groups of users (e.g., children, adult learners and schools) and making improvements to accessibility of library resources.

Confidence: develops in a new job and allows a person to stay on task and focused regardless of the disruptions and time to learn the job skills within the role as a librarian. Every job varies and provides a challenge and confidence helps with using library systems and specialist computer applications promoting and marketing services.

Excellent organizational skills: physical and mental organization and time management abilities which would help with making improvements to accessibility of library resources, maintaining statistical and financial records.

Team-working skills: answering enquiries as well as ensuring that library services meet the needs of particular groups of users (e.g., children, adult learners and schools).

Strong IT skills: being familiar with the use of databases and the internet would help with developing IT facilities and assisting with the use of computer equipment, supporting independent research and learning.

Verbal communication skills: answering enquiries from staff and public, and promoting and marketing services.

Interpersonal skills such as the ability to communicate within an organization help a librarian make improvements to accessibility of library resources.

[edit] Relevance of Psychology Undergraduate Degree

Theories in Personality: Building confidence by understanding strengths and finding ways to integrate those strengths into what one does every day, allows a person to lead from their strengths and be engaged and energized about the job/career--this appears as self-assuredness/confidence.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in the workplace: strategies that help provide a work environment that is more considerate and supportive of people's welfare. For example a sense of belonging encourages social interaction which creates team spirit, helps to facilitate outside social interaction, and encourages participation of the people within the workplace.

Emotional Intelligence (EQ): the ability to identify, use, understand, and manage emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges, and defuse conflict. If a person has high EQ then one is able to recognize one’s own emotional state and the emotional states of others and helps one to relate better to other people, form healthier relationships, achieve greater success at work, and lead a more fulfilling life. (Note: About Emotional IntelligenceDaniel Goleman suggests that EI is not innate but rather learned capacities that must be worked on and developed to achieve success with one’s performance.)

[edit] Salary Potential

• Annual employment income: $52,179/year; and

• The average employment income for part time is approximately $28,205.

[edit] Job Outlook

This profession has seen many changes, providing new business opportunities.

Trends suggest that the number of librarians should increase slightly over the next few years.

The placement rate and the unemployment rate for graduates of master's programs in information science (library science) is similar to those of other master's graduates.

http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/qc/job_futures/statistics/5111.shtml

[edit] To Know More

Service Canada: http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/qc/job_futures/statistics/5111.shtml

‘Grads at Work’: http://www.fims.uwo.ca/acad_programs/grad/lis/mlis/grads_at_work.htm

University of Toronto: faculty of Information: http://www.ischool.utoronto.ca/lis

University of Western Ontario: Library and Information Science: http://grad.uwo.ca/prospective_students/programs/program_NEW.cfm?p=81

[edit] Notes

1 https://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/job-descriptions/278241-public-librarian-job-description.

2 Ibid.

3 http://grad.uwo.ca/prospective_students/programs/program_NEW.cfm?p=81

4 Ibid.

5 http://www.ischool.utoronto.ca/lis

6 http://www.dal.ca/academics/programs/graduate/mlis/program-details.html

7 http://gse.buffalo.edu/programs/mls

8 http://www.learning-theories.com/emotional-intelligence-goleman.html

9 http://www.service Canada.gc.ca/eng/qc/job_futures/statistics/5111.shtml

10 http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/qc/job_futures/statistics/5111.shtml

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