Librarians and Media Collections Specialists
What do you do when you need to put together research on a topic related to your studies? Do you search for information online, or do you head to your school library or the public library in your city? If you choose the internet as your way of gathering information, you might run into some problems - conflicting information spread across different websites, plus no real way to be sure any of it is accurate. That's why libraries are indispensable when it comes to finding information. They hold thousands of books from trustworthy sources, and they're well organized too - every library has specific sections for different subjects. You can simply ask one of the staff there about the information you're looking for, and they'll point you to the right section, even suggesting specific books where you might find what you need. So whoever takes on the job of guiding visitors inside a library is doing something really important - they know every little detail about the place inside and out. The people who do this job are called "librarians and media collections specialists."
Meet the Writer: Waleed Abo Omiraa
What You'll Actually Do
The core tasks and responsibilities that fill a typical day.
- 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.
- 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.