The Librarian, a 1556 painting by Giuseppe Arcimboldo

A librarian is an information professional trained in library and information science, which is the organization and management of information services or materials for those with information needs. Giuseppe Arcimboldo (also spelled Arcimboldi; 1527 - July 11 1593) was an Italian painter best known for creating imaginative Library science is an Interdisciplinary Science incorporating the Humanities, Law and Applied science to study topics related to Typically, librarians work in a public or college library, an elementary- or secondary-school media center, a library within a company, or another information-provision agency. A library is a collection of information sources resources and services and the structure in which it is housed it is organized for use and maintained by a public body an institution A library is a collection of information sources resources and services and the structure in which it is housed it is organized for use and maintained by a public body an institution Some librarians are independent entrepreneurs working as information specialists, catalogers, indexers and other professional, specialized capacities. Librarians may be categorized as a public, school, correctional, special, independent or academic librarian.

Outline, requirements and positions

The term librarian is used often and incorrectly to refer to anyone who works in a library. Para-professional or clerical staff working in a library are more properly referred to as library clerks, library assistant, or some equivalent title. Professional Librarians (in the United States, Canada, Australia, and elsewhere) have achieved a Master of Science or of Arts degree requiring some 30 to 46 semester hours from an accredited school of library and/or information science within a college or university. As with most professional degrees, librarians may carry forward obligations to contribute to their profession through writing and publication, attendance and participation at professional conferences, mentoring, etc. To qualify for a Master's degree program, the student must have successfully completed a Bachelor degree of some 130 or more semester hours.

Traditionally, librarians have been associated with collections of books, as demonstrated by the etymology of the word "librarian" (< Latin liber, 'book'). A Book is a set or collection of written printed illustrated or blank sheets made of Paper, Parchment, or other material usually fastened together However, modern librarians deal with information in many formats, including books, magazines, newspapers, audio recordings (both music recordings and audiobooks), video recordings, maps, photographs and other graphic material, bibliographic databases, and digital resources. A bibliographic or library database is a Database of bibliographic records Librarians often provide other information services, including computer provision and training, coordination of public programs, basic literacy education, and help with finding and using community resources.

In western nations, the librarian is a professional with a Master's degree in library and/or information science (library science) capable of analyzing information, information needs and of providing information services and materials to patrons in a variety of settings with available and appropriate resources. This article is about people called professionals For the Movie, see The Professional or Leon. Library science is an Interdisciplinary Science incorporating the Humanities, Law and Applied science to study topics related to

In a library, there are many positions other than that of librarian. A library is a collection of information sources resources and services and the structure in which it is housed it is organized for use and maintained by a public body an institution Such positions include library associate, library technician, library assistant, clerk, page, shelver, and volunteer. Other professional positions, such as manager, director or administrator, are often filled by librarians. In these positions, the worker may be given the title Administrator, Director, Manager or Librarian.

Librarian roles and duties

Olivia Crosby described librarians as "Information experts in the information age". ^[1] Specific duties vary depending on the size and type of library. Most librarians spend their time working in one of the following areas of a library:

• Public service librarians work with the public, frequently at the reference desk of lending libraries. The reference desk or information desk of a Library is a public service desk where professional Librarians provide library users with direction to library Some specialize in serving adults or children. Children's literature is an age category of literature written for published for or marketed to Children roughly through age 12 Children's librarians provide appropriate material for children at all age levels, include pre-readers, conduct specialized programs and work with the children (and often their parents) to help foster interest and competence in the young reader. (In larger libraries, some specialize in teen services, periodicals, or other special collections. Young-adult fiction (often abbreviated as YA fiction, or simply YA) is Fiction written for published for or marketed to adolescents roughly between the Magazines, periodicals or serials are Publications generally published on a regular schedule containing a variety of articles, generally )
• Reference or research librarians help people doing research to find the information they need, through a structured conversation called a reference interview. A reference interview is a structured conversation between a Librarian and a Library user usually at a reference desk, in which the librarian responds The help may take the form of research on a specific question, providing direction on the use of databases and other electronic information resources; obtaining specialized materials from other sources; or providing access to and care of delicate or expensive materials. These services are sometimes provided by other library staff that have been given a certain amount of special training; some have criticized this trend. ^[2]
• Technical service librarians work "behind the scenes" ordering library materials and database subscriptions, computers and other equipment, and supervise the cataloging and physical processing of new materials. A library catalog (or library catalogue) is a register of all bibliographic items found in a Library or group of libraries such as a network of libraries
• Collections development librarians monitor the selection of books and electronic resources. Large libraries often use approval plans, which involve the librarian for a specific subject creating a profile that allows publishers to send relevant books to the library without any additional vetting. Broadly vetting is a process of examination and evaluation Specifically vetting often refers to performing a Background check on someone before offering them employment Librarians can then see those books when they arrive and decide if they will become part of the collection or not. All collections librarians also have a certain amount of funding to allow them to purchase books and materials that don't arrive via approval.
• Archivists can be specialized librarians who deal with archival materials, such as manuscripts, documents and records, though this varies from country to country, and there are other routes to the archival profession. An archivist is a professional who assesses collects organizes preserves maintains control over and provides access to information determined to have long-term value An archive refers to a collection of historical records and also refers to the location in which these records are kept
• Systems Librarians develop, troubleshoot and maintain library systems, including the library catalog and related systems.
• Electronic Resources Librarians manage the databases that libraries license from third-party vendors.
• School Librarians work in school libraries and perform duties as teachers, information technology specialists, and advocates for literacy.
• Outreach Librarians go out of their way to provide library and information services for underrepresented groups, such as people with disabilities, low income neighborhoods, homebound adults and seniors, incarcerated and ex-offenders, and homeless and rural communities.

Experienced librarians may take administrative positions such as library or information center director. Similar to the management of any other organization, they are concerned with the long-term planning of the library, and its relationship with its parent organization (the city or county for a public library, the college/university for an academic library, or the organization served by a special library). A special library is a term for a Library that is neither an academic or School library, or a Public library. In smaller or specialized libraries, librarians typically perform a wide range of the different duties.

Representative examples of specific tasks:

• Researching topics of interest for their constituencies.
• Referrals to other community organizations and government offices. Community organizations are Civil society non-profits that operate within a single local Community. For the government of parliamentary systems see Executive (government.
• Suggesting appropriate books ("readers' advisory") for children of different reading levels, and recommending novels for recreational reading. A novel (from Italian novella, Spanish novela, French nouvelle for "new" "news" or "short story
• Supervising and promoting reading clubs.
• Developing programs for library users of all ages and backgrounds.
• Managing access to electronic information resources.

Workplaces

Southwest Collections / Special Collections Library at Texas Tech, a university in the United States

Basic categories of workplace settings for librarians are routinely classified around the world as: public, academic, school, and special. Texas Tech University is a public, coeducational research university in Lubbock Texas. Some librarians will start and operate their own business. They often call themselves information brokers, research specialists, knowledge management, competitive intelligence or independent information professionals. An information broker is a person or business that researches information for clients Knowledge Management (KM A broad definition of Competitive Intelligence is the action of gathering analyzing and applying information about products domain constituents customers and competitors for the short term Below are the basic differences between the types of libraries.

Public library: These institutions are created through legislation within the jurisdiction they serve. A public library (also called circulating library) is a Library which is accessible by the Public and is generally funded from public sources (such Accordingly, they are given certain benefits, such as taxpayer funding, but must adhere to service standards and meet a wide group of client needs. They are usually overseen by a board of directors or library commission from the community. Mission statements, service and collection policies are the fundamental administrative features of public libraries. Occasionally private lending libraries serve the public in the manner of public libraries. In the United States, public librarians and public libraries are represented by the Public Library Association. The American Library Association ( ALA) is a group based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally ^[3]

Academic library: Libraries that serve a post-secondary institution. An academic library is a Library which serves an institution of higher learning such as a College or a University — libraries in secondary and primary Depending upon the institution, the library may serve a particular faculty or the entire institution. Many different types, sizes, and collections are found in academic libraries and some academic librarians are specialists in these collections and archives. A university librarian, or chief librarian, is responsible for the library within the college structure, and may also be called the Dean of Libraries. An academic library is a Library which serves an institution of higher learning such as a College or a University — libraries in secondary and primary An academic administration is a branch of University or College employees responsible for the maintenance and supervision of the institution and separate from the Some post-secondary institutions treat librarians as faculty, and they may be called professor or other academic ranks. Some universities make similar demands of academic librarians for research and professional service as are required of faculty. Academic librarians administer various levels of service and privilege to faculty, students, alumni and the public.

School library media center: Libraries which exclusively serve the needs of a public or private school. A school library is a Library attached to and managed by a school to serve the students staff and often parents of a public (state or private (fee paying The primary purpose is to support the students, teachers, and curriculum of the school or school district. In addition to library administration, certificated teacher-librarians instruct individual students, groups and classes, and faculty in effective research methods, often referred to as information literacy skills. Audio-visual equipment service and/or textbook circulation may also be included in a school librarian's responsibilities. Often, teacher-librarians are qualified teachers who take academic courses for school library certification and/or earn a Master's degree in Library Science. A teacher-librarian, or library media specialist, is a certified Teacher who also has training in librarianship.

Special library: News, law, medical, government, nongovernmental organization, prison, corporate, museum or any other type of library owned and operated by an organization are considered as special library. A special library is a term for a Library that is neither an academic or School library, or a Public library. They can be highly specialized, serving a discrete user group with a restricted collection area. In an increasingly global and virtual workplace, many special librarians may not even work in a library at all but instead manage and facilitate the use of electronic collections. Funding for special libraries varies widely. Librarians in some types of special libraries may be required to have additional training, such as a law degree for a librarian in an academic law library or appropriate subject degrees for subject specialties such as chemistry, engineering, etc. Many belong to the Special Libraries Association. Special Libraries Association ( SLA) is a Professional association for librarian and information professionals working in business government law firms ^[4] There are also more specific associations such as the American Association of Law Libraries,^[5] Art Libraries Society of North America,^[6] the Medical Library Association,^[7] or the Visual Resources Association. The American Association of Law Libraries "is a nonprofit educational organization with over 5000 members nationwide The '''Art Libraries Society of North America''' (also known as ARLIS/NA) was founded in 1972 The Medical Library Association was founded in 1898 as the Association of Medical Librarians and changed its name to Medical Library Association in 1907 The Visual Resources Association (also known as VRA) was founded in 1982 ^[8]

Education

In the United States and Canada, a librarian normally has a one or two-year master's degree in library and information science, library science or information science (called an MLS, MALIS, MSLS, MIS, MSIS, MS-LIS, MISt, MLIS, or MILS) from an accredited university. Library science is an Interdisciplinary Science incorporating the Humanities, Law and Applied science to study topics related to Library science is an Interdisciplinary Science incorporating the Humanities, Law and Applied science to study topics related to Information science is an interdisciplinary science primarily concerned with the collection classification, manipulation storage retrieval and dissemination ^[9] These degrees are accredited by the American Library Association and can have specializations within fields such as archiving, records management, information architecture, public librarianship, medical librarianship, law librarianship, special librarianship, academic librarianship, or school (K-12) librarianship. The American Library Association ( ALA) is a group based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally An archive refers to a collection of historical records and also refers to the location in which these records are kept Records management, or RM is the practice of identifying classifying archiving preserving and destroying records Information architecture ( IA) is the art of expressing a Model or Concept of Information used in activities that require explicit details School librarians often are required to have a teaching credential, as well as a library science degree. A United States teaching credential is a basic multiple or single subject Credential obtained upon completion of a bachelor's degree and prescribed professional education requirements Many, if not most, academic librarians also have a second, subject-based master's degree.

In the UK and some other countries, a librarian can have a three- or four-year bachelor's degree in library and information studies or information science; separate master's degrees in librarianship, archive management, and records management are also available. A bachelor's degree is usually an Undergraduate Academic degree awarded for a course or major that generally lasts for three four or in some cases and Library science is an Interdisciplinary Science incorporating the Humanities, Law and Applied science to study topics related to Information science is an interdisciplinary science primarily concerned with the collection classification, manipulation storage retrieval and dissemination In the United Kingdom, these degrees are accredited by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals and the Society of Archivists. The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP is a Professional body representing Librarians and other information professionals The Society of Archivists is the principal professional body for Archivists archive conservators and records managers in the United Kingdom and ^[10] In Germany and some other countries, the first step for an academic librarian is a PhD in a subject field, followed by additional training in librarianship. "PhD" redirects here for other uses see PhD (disambiguation.

In Australia, a professional librarian must meet the requirements set out by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). There are three ways in which these requirements can be met: the individual must obtain an ALIA-recognised bachelor degree in library and information studies, complete a first degree in any discipline followed by an ALIA-recognised postgraduate diploma or masters course, or gain an ALIA-recognised library technician qualifications (undertaken at TAFE) followed by an ALIA-recognised bachelor degree in library and information studies. Technical and Further Education or TAFE (pronounced) institutions provide a wide range of predominantly vocational tertiary education courses in Australia ^[11] ALIA is responsible for accreditation of library specific qualifications for both librarians and library technicians. Professional Australian teacher-librarians require slightly different qualifications. In addition to having a degree that meets ALIA's accreditation process, teacher librarians must also hold recognised teaching qualifications. ^[12]

It is also possible to earn a doctorate in library and information science. A doctorate is an Academic degree that indicates the highest level of academic achievement Graduates with PhDs usually become teaching faculty in schools of library and information science, or sometimes occupy the directorship or deanship of university libraries. "PhD" redirects here for other uses see PhD (disambiguation. Those undertaking research at the doctoral level can pursue a very wide range of interests including information technology, government information policy, social research into information use among particular segments of society, information in organizations and corporate settings, and the history of books and printing. The history of the Book is the story of a suite of technological Innovations that improved the quality of text conservation the access to Information

It is common in academic and other research libraries to require the librarians to obtain Master's degrees in some academic subject, sometimes but not necessarily related to their professional responsibilities; in major research libraries, some of the librarians will hold Ph. D degrees in subject fields.

Other advanced degrees often taken in conjunction with a degree in librarianship are law, management, health administration or public administration. Juris Doctor (abbreviated JD or JD, from the Latin, Teacher of Law) is a first professional graduate degree and Professional Management (covering theory practice and scope of management and Manager' (covering the people who manage might help clarify and systematise The Master of Health Administration (MHA &mdashalso Master of Healthcare Administration &mdash is a graduate Professional degree that focuses on knowledge and competencies Public administration can be broadly described as the development implementation and study of branches of government Policy.

Library associates, library technicians, and library assistants often have college diplomas but usually do not hold library-related degrees. Occasionally they also hold undergraduate or graduate degrees in other disciplines. These workers, sometimes referred to as para-professionals, perform duties such as database management, cataloging, ready reference, and serials and monograph processing. A Computer Database is a structured collection of records or data that is stored in a computer system A library catalog (or library catalogue) is a register of all bibliographic items found in a Library or group of libraries such as a network of libraries

Professional organizations and activities

The two largest library associations in the United States are the American Library Association (ALA) and the Special Libraries Association. The American Library Association ( ALA) is a group based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally Special Libraries Association ( SLA) is a Professional association for librarian and information professionals working in business government law firms ^[13] Many U. S. states have their own library association as well. Librarians may also join such organizations as the Association of College and Research Libraries^[14] and the Public Library Association^[15] and the Art Libraries Society. The American Library Association ( ALA) is a group based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally The American Library Association ( ALA) is a group based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally ^[16] The Canadian Library Association serves Canada and there are provincial associations as well, such as the Ontario Library Association. The Canadian Library Association (CLA is a national predominately English-language association which represents 57000 Library workers across the country Ontario Library Association ( OLA) established in 1900 is the oldest continually operating Library association in Canada. In the United Kingdom, the professional body for Librarians is the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals^[17] (formerly known as the Library Association). The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP is a Professional body representing Librarians and other information professionals The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)^[18] represents the interests of libraries and librarians internationally. The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA is the leading international body representing the interests of library (See also the List of Library Associations. International Association of Christian Librarians Website International Association of Agricultural Information Specialists Website (IAALD )

Recent issues of concern for U. S. libraries include implementation of the Patriot Act and the Children's Internet Protection Act. The USA PATRIOT Act, commonly known as the Patriot Act, is a controversial Act of Congress that U The Children's Internet Protection Act ( CIPA) is one of a number of bills that the United States Congress has proposed in an attempt to limit children's exposure to Many librarians around the world share American librarians' concern over ethical issues surrounding censorship and privacy. Censorship is the suppression of speech or deletion of communicative material which may be considered objectionable harmful or sensitive as determined by a censor Privacy is the ability of an individual or group to seclude themselves or information about themselves and thereby reveal themselves selectively Some librarians join activist organizations like the UK-based Information for Social Change^[19] and the North American-based Progressive Librarians Guild. Information for Social Change (ISC is an international volunteer-based association whose primary mission is to debate and comment on issues of Social justice, Censorship ^[20] Within the American Library Association (ALA), some also join the Social Responsibilities Round Table. The American Library Association ( ALA) is a group based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally ^[21] SRRT came into being amid the social ferment of the 1960s and is often critical of the American Library Association for not living up to its professed ideals. Another important activist organization is the Social Responsibilities Special Interest Section^[22] of the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL). The American Association of Law Libraries "is a nonprofit educational organization with over 5000 members nationwide ^[23] These activist organizations are viewed as controversial by some librarians, while others view them as a natural extension and outgrowth of their own deeply-held library ethics.

Technology in libraries

The increasing role of technology in libraries has a significant impact on the changing roles of librarians. New technologies, such as open url, are dramatically increasing the accessibility of information, and librarians are adapting to the evolving needs of users that emerge from the adoption of these new technologies.

The most significant example of how technology has changed the role of librarians in the last 50 years has been the move from traditional card catalogs to online public access catalogs (OPACs). An Online Public Access Catalog or OPAC (aka iPAC for Internet / Intranet Public Access Catalogue is a computerized online catalog Librarians had to develop software and the MARC standards for cataloguing records electronically. MARC is an acronym used in the field of library science that stands for '''MA'''chine-'''R'''eadable '''C'''ataloging. They had to purchase and run the computers necessary to use the software. They had to teach the public how to use the new technologies and move to more virtual working environments.

The same could be said of other technology developments, from electronic databases (including the Internet), to logistical functions such as barcodes (or in the near future RFID). Radio-frequency identification ( RFID) is an automatic identification method relying on storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags or Many librarians provide virtual reference services (via web-based chat, instant messaging, text messaging, and e-mail), work in digitalization initiatives for works in the public domain, teach technology classes to their users, and work on the development of information architectures for improving access and search functionality. These examples illustrate some of the ways in which librarians are using technology to fulfill and expand upon their historical roles.

Librarians must continually adapt to new formats for information, such as electronic journals and e-books, which present both challenges and opportunities in providing access and promoting them to library patrons. An e-book (for electronic book: also ebook) is the Digital media equivalent of a conventional printed Book.

Increasing technological advance has presented the possibility of automating some aspects of traditional libraries. In 2004 a group of researchers in Spain developed the UJI Online Robot. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. The UJI Online Robot is a Robot Librarian that was created at University Jaume I, Spain in 2004 This robot is able to navigate the library, look for the specified book, and upon its discovery, carefully take it from the shelf and deliver it to the user. Because of the robot's extremely limited function, its introduction into libraries poses little risk of the employment of librarians, whose duties are not defined by menial tasks such as the retrieval of books.

See also

• Periodicals librarian
• Archivist
• Bookstore
• Curator
• Librarians in popular culture
• Library technician
• List of librarians
• Massachusetts Library Association
• Michigan Library Association
• New York Library Association
• Pennsylvania Library Association

References

External links

• ALA Code of Ethics
• ALIA Qualifications and careers
• Friends of Libraries USA
• Occupational Outlook Handbook: Librarians
• SLA's Competencies for Information Professionals
• Library and Information Science Wiki