Reference librarians work to assist library patrons to find information at the library and through the use of other resources such as the Internet. In addition to finding information, reference librarians also teach library patrons how to use the library’s resources. In many libraries, reference librarians also perform other duties such as assisting with administrative and circulation duties. Though working in a library may appear to be a low stress job, reference librarians spend most of their days dealing with the public and during busy periods the job can be quite stressful.
As most positions in a library are quite competitive, having multiple applicants for each position, it is important for a person interested in becoming a reference librarian to obtain both a formal education and work experience to be competitive in the workforce.
Formal Education
Though some smaller libraries may hire a reference librarian based on job experience alone, most libraries require that applicants for reference librarian positions have a formal education after high school. A bachelor’s degree with a major in library science or a related field is the minimum education requirement for consideration, but most libraries will show preference to applicants with a master’s degree in library science. Many large colleges and universities offer both undergraduate and graduate programs of study in library science. Online degree programs do exist in library science, but students must carefully research these programs to make certain they are properly accredited.
Work Experience
Whenever possible, a student interested in becoming a reference librarian should obtained paid or volunteer experience in a library during high school or college. In college, a student majoring in library science should be able to obtain a volunteer or work study position in the school library. A student’s college advisor or professor can often assist a student in finding work experience. Any experience working with the public or in research can also be beneficial.
Specialized Training
Those interested in working in a public school library should research the qualifications in their state or the state where they want to work. In many states, school librarians must be licensed teachers or pass a state examination. Some states have a certification process for all librarians working in public schools or libraries. Reference librarian positions also exist in medical, corporate and legal libraries. These positions generally require specialized knowledge in the specific field that the library serves. For example, a reference librarian in a law library will benefit from a formal legal educational or work experience.
“Librarians”: Bureau of Labor Statistics
“The School of Library and Information Science”: The University of Southern Mississippi