Librarians and Media Collections Specialists

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Career Profile

Librarians and Media Collections Specialists

What they do

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.

Also Called: Catalog Librarian, Instructional Technology Specialist, Librarian, Library Media Specialist, Media Specialist, Media Technician, Multimedia Services Coordinator, Reference and Instruction Librarian, Reference Librarian, Technical Services Librarian, Catalog Librarian, Instructional Technology Specialist, Librarian, Library Media Specialist, Media Specialist, Media Technician, Multimedia Services Coordinator, Reference and Instruction Librarian, Reference Librarian, Technical Services Librarian

Job Data & Employment

*National data provided by O*NET & BLS
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$43,660
Starting Salary (2025)
$68,270
Median Salary (2025)
1.7%
Projected Job Growth
133,790
Employment (2025)

Typical Tasks

Explain use of library facilities, resources, equipment, and services, and provide information about library policies.
Analyze patrons' requests to determine needed information and assist in furnishing or locating that information.
Locate unusual or unique information in response to specific requests.
Evaluate materials to determine outdated or unused items to be discarded.
Review and evaluate materials, using book reviews, catalogs, faculty recommendations, and current holdings to select and order print, audio-visual, and electronic resources.

A day in the life

What kind of work is this?

Conventional
Organized, Procedural Work
Social
Working with people
Investigative
Studying, Research based work

What personality traits do you need to succeed?

Cooperation
Dependability
Integrity
Adaptability/Flexibility
Initiative
Concern for Others

What key skills are needed for this job?

Active Listening
Speaking
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Writing
Service Orientation

Expected Knowledge

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.

Common Activities

Working with Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Education & Preparation

Some occupations may require additional education, advanced degrees, and years of experience in the field.
Talk to your support team on campus about this career pathway and additional degree information.
Job Zone 5

Extensive Preparation Needed

Education

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).

Experience

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience.

Training

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.

Typical Education Required

Education a new hire may need

  • Master's degree 65%
  • Some college 10%
  • Bachelor's degree 8%
  • Post-master's certificate 5%
  • Post-secondary certificate 4%
  • Other 8%
Source: O*NET Education, Training & Experience data

Related Careers

Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Archivists
Instructional Coordinators

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*Data on career profiles are based on information supplied by the O*NET Program, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration.