Occupation Details
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.
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Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Social
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$52,780.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$79,310.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$92,450.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
11,590
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
13,310
+172 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
1,328
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.2%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
More School - Graduate or advanced degree
Experience Requirements
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Education Requirements
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Training Details
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, physician assistants, and veterinarians.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
New York State requires workers in this occupation to hold a license or certification.
Public Librarian
Learn MoreSkills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Audio or video editing systems
- Audio presentation systems
- Audio tape players
- Barcode scanners
- Bookmobiles
- Cash registers
- Claw hammers
- Compact disk CD players
- Desktop computers
- Digital camcorders
- Digital cameras
- Digital video disk DVD players
- Film projectors
- High speed video duplicators
- Laptop computers
- Large screen projectors
- Light boards
- Liquid crystal display LCD projection systems
- Microfiche readers
- Microfilm printers
- Microfilm readers
- Motion picture projectors
- Multi-line telephone systems
- Multimedia projectors
- Opaque projectors
- Overhead display projectors
- Personal computers
- Photocopying equipment
- Portable amplifiers
- Public address PA systems
Technology
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe Systems Adobe After Effects
- Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Suite
- Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
- Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
- Apple iMovie
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Blackboard software
- Blogging software
- CATNYP
- Cascading style sheets CSS
- CatchTheWeb
- Classification Web
- Data visualization software
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- maintain or repair computers or related equipment
- use stage lighting controls or instruments
- operate audio-visual equipment
- conduct fund raising activities
- determine what additional materials to order
- arrange library materials
- ensure correct grammar, punctuation, or spelling
- consult with customers concerning needs
- consult with parents or teachers to develop programs
- direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
- coordinate activities of assistants
- negotiate business contracts
- resolve customer or public complaints
- maintain records, reports, or files
- order or purchase supplies, materials, or equipment
- order or purchase supplies, materials, or equipment
- monitor and control library resources
- write research or project grant proposals
- develop policies, procedures, methods, or standards
- make presentations
- index information resources
- understand computer equipment operating manuals
- answer customer or public inquiries
- work with public in selecting books or materials
- assist patrons in finding materials
- work with public in using reference tools or finding materials
- provide information about facilities
- investigate customer complaints
- organize reference materials
- classify information according to content or purpose
- compile bibliographies of specialized materials
- catalog or classify materials or artifacts
- develop arts-related information or index systems
- use creativity in graphics
- design classroom presentations
- design library displays
- achieve special lighting or sound effects
- arrange merchandise display
- convert information into instructional program
- coordinate educational content
- develop instructional materials
- develop teaching aids
- disseminate knowledge of literature or languages
- prepare audio-visual teaching aids
- conduct training for personnel
- teach others how to use audio-visual materials
- follow data storage procedures
- use graphic arts techniques
- use oral or written communication techniques
- use oral or written communication techniques
- use public speaking techniques
- use knowledge of multi-media technology
- use knowledge of multi-media technology
- use library or online Internet research techniques
- use library or online Internet research techniques
- use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
- use word processing or desktop publishing software
- develop or maintain databases
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- 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.
- 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.
- Maintain inventory of audio-visual equipment.
- 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.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Librarians
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
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