Librarian

Tasks & duties

Librarians may do some or all of the following:

• help customers find the library materials they need, such as books, CDs, DVDs, or electronic resources
• conduct in-depth research or literature searches for customers (usually in an organisational, corporate, or law library)
• help customers use equipment in the library, such as microfiche readers or photocopiers
• plan and manage library services
• create and implement educational programmes, such as information literacy and subject-based information sessions
• select and buy library books and other material, such as DVDs
• catalogue and classify library material, such as books and magazines
• select, update and maintain electronic resources and database
• train staff
• arrange promotional events to encourage the community to use the library
• conduct surveys, and hold meetings to find out customers' needs
• manage and develop the library's websites and intranet
• help develop library technology such as customer self-issue systems, databases, and library blogs
• take part in meetings with library funding providers

Specialisations

Librarians may choose to specialise in one of several roles, such as:

Acquisitions Librarian

Acquisitions librarians decide what materials a library needs, and then order and ensure payment for those materials.

Collection Development Librarian

Collection development librarians choose which materials to purchase for the library's collection.

Copy or Original Cataloguer

Copy cataloguers add electronic records of new library materials to a library's catalogue. Original cataloguers create electronic records, and may specialise in cataloguing heritage or foreign language materials.

Electronic Services Librarian

Electronic services librarians create and manage library websites and online services.

Lending Services Librarian

Lending services librarians manage the desk-based services to circulate library materials.

Liaison Librarian

Liaison librarians provide specialist liaison services to support the needs of particular subjects or special groups.

Māori Resources Librarian

Māori resources librarians facilitate access to resources relevant to Māori.

Reference Librarian

Reference librarians have more interaction with the public, and may serve a particular user group such as children and youth, university students, researchers, users interested in genealogy, or organisational and corporate clients.

Special Collections Librarian

Special collections librarians manage heritage materials of national or international importance, or other research collections.

Systems Librarian

Systems librarians manage the library management system and provide other technican services.

Skills & knowledge

Librarians need to have knowledge of:

• different methods for organising and finding information
• the range of printed and electronic material kept in a library
• library software and subscription databases (a collection of journal articles, documents or images)
• publishers, writers, reading trends and literature
• information resources available in specialist subjects
• the community, and range of people who use the library, and how they like to access information
• international cataloguing rules and guidelines
• how to protect library materials from damage

Librarians also need to have:

• research skills and the ability to use computerised information systems
• good customer service skills
• good communication and teaching skills
• good general knowledge
• understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi and bicultural issues
• project-management and planning skills

Leadership and management skills are also useful for librarians who manage teams

Entry requirements

Although entry requirements vary by employer, librarians typically need have or be working towards one of the following qualifications:

• a Diploma in Library and Information Studies (Level 5)
• an undergraduate library qualification
• an undergraduate degree in any subject, and a postgraduate degree in Library and Information Studies

Some librarian positions require particular subject knowledge. For example:

• law studies are useful for law librarians
• New Zealand or Māori history courses are useful for librarians working with specialised collections in these areas
• expertise in information technology is needed to be a systems librarian.

Secondary education

A tertiary entrance qualification is required to enter further training, but useful school subjects include English and any other NCEA Level 3 (Bursary) subjects that involve research.

Tertiary education

Three library programmes are offered in New Zealand. Courses are only offered in the North Island, through Te Wānaga-o-Raukawa or Victoria University. Distance learning courses are available through the Open Polytechnic or Victoria University.

Training on the job

Librarians learn some skills on the job, and often need to learn how to use particular library management systems, databases and cataloguing rules.
Librarians may attend continuing professional development courses and workshops. They may also attend conferences and seminars in New Zealand and abroad.

Registration

The Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (LIANZA) administers a professional registration scheme for librarians with a postgraduate qualification. Librarians who choose to participate in this voluntary registration scheme have to reapply for registration every three years, and demonstrate they have up-to-date knowledge of current library trends.

Useful experience

Useful experience for librarians includes:

• volunteer or paid work in libraries
• work in bookshops
• research or computer work
• work in archives or records management
• customer service jobs such as working in restaurants, hotels, or retail shops
• teaching

Related courses

Librarianship and Information Management

For more information, please refer to Career Services.