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Academic Librarianship

Librarians at Work

Academic Librarianship may be for YOU, if you:

  • Enjoy an academic environment—whether small college towns or vibrant multi-cultural research university settings
  • Like explaining not just what an answer is, but how to find it
  • Have a broad interest in many academic fields
  • Have or desire to acquire another graduate degree
  • Appreciate the application of technology to learning
  • Can respond positively to a call for research or outcomes evaluation: prove that your work makes a difference!

Coursework Recommendations:

For systems librarians, see the Specialization in Library Technology Management curriculum; for catalogers, see the Cataloging/Technical Services career page. Catalogers should be especially concerned with serials, LC, and digital media cataloging.

Core courses: required: S501 Reference; S502 Collection Development, S503 or S504, organization of information or cataloging.

Management: S552 Academic Library Management if available (usually offered fall semesters, Indy and one VIC site)

Research: recommend BOTH:

  • S506 Intro to Research or
  • S505 Evaluation of Library Sources and Services
  • Both include material valuable for the operations of modern academic libraries (evaluation) and the success of academic librarians (research)

Extremely important courses:

  • S573 Education of Information Users. Absolutely essential.
  • S621 Audio and Video Sources. Academic libraries provide information in a variety of formats.
  • S533 Online Searching. Covers more than the basics: required to assist scholars in research.

Both include material valuable to the operations of modern academic libraries (evaluation) and the success of academic librarians (research)

Subject-area coursework:

  • S521 Humanities Information
  • S523 Science and Technology Information
  • S522 Social Science Information
  • S525 Government Information
  • S526 Business Information
  • S653 Health Sciences Librarianship

Strongly consider subject-area coursework that complements rather than duplicates your undergraduate major, to give yourself the broadest set of skills.

Also

:
  • S533 Online Searching
  • S541 Information Policy
  • S640 Seminar in Intellectual Freedom
  • S550 Perspectives on Librarianship
  • S511 Database Design
  • S654 Law Librarianship (essential for those preparing for law school work; a J.D. is often required)

Job Outlook for this field:

Opportunities range from the broadest to narrow specialties. Community college librarians are often one-person-shops, dealing with a broad range of subject matters and a diverse student population, with significant managerial responsibilities. At small to medium-sized bachelors and masters institutions, most librarians function as a pool of colleagues: each with subject-specific collection development, faculty contact, and user instruction responsibilities, but also helping every person who walks up and asks questions. In research institutions, librarians can be quite specialized, and fill positions ranging from technology interface design to serials cataloging to archives. In half of American institutions, the librarians' status as faculty means responsibilities (for research and service) and rights (for participation in campus decision-making) from the first day of work.

Exact job prospects vary dramatically from time to time and place to place. Most academic libraries strive for some diversity in background among their librarians, so an out-of-towner may have an advantage in applying. While public service positions are the great majority of those available (almost three-quarters of those listed on the LIS job line site in October, 2004), there have historically been fewer qualified catalogers available for the technical positions, so prospects are bright with less competition for those positions.

According to a survey conducted by the College and University Personnel Association for Human Resources and reported yearly in the Chronicle of Higher Education, the median salary for reference librarians was approximately $48,000 and for catalog librarians $47,000. Paraprofessionals (non-degreed) earn a median salary of $32,000. Library director median salaries range from $65,000 for baccalaureate institutions to $137,000 for doctoral institutions (2005-2006 data). While it is true that many academic librarians have second masters degrees, and many library directors have doctoral degrees, there are successful librarians and directors without them (although you might consider pursuing a dual degree while obtaining your MLS).

Qualities employers seek:

Professional librarians at colleges and universities must be prepared to exhibit their skills publicly: the "back office" jobs of the past have been automated or delegated to paraprofessionals. Employers seek applicants with strong knowledge but also excellent communication skills to work with students one-on-one and in classes, with faculty in the delicate process of assisting instructors in their teaching, and with staff across campus. The ability to be a self-starter and work independently, as well as cooperate with colleagues, is vital. Academic librarians want new colleagues who will make the profession proud.

General computer literacy, an understanding of Web page maintenance, and the ability to quickly learn any given automation system are expected. Teaching experience in any format will be a plus. A second ("subject") masters degree will be appreciated but not often required. Advanced technical knowledge can be valuable—there are many "systems librarian" positions available.

Understanding the currents that affect higher education is vital to preparing for an interview, and being a successful academic librarian. Read the Chronicle of Higher Education. If it fascinates you, you've come to the right area of librarianship.

Opportunities to gain experience in this field:

Work in an academic library. Academic libraries in the region welcome the opportunity that motivated library school students provide. Take internships. Vary your experience as much as possible and observe as much librarian activity as possible. Once you have the skills (from coursework) seek to apply them in projects - teach library instruction sessions or courses, develop or contribute to Web services. Do not limit your options. Most academic librarians have long career paths distinguished mostly by change, adaptation, and initiative.

Professional Associations:

  • Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) division of the American Library Association (ALA)
  • Indiana Library Federation (ILF)
  • Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) - Division of ALA
  • Library Administration and Management Association (LAMA) - Division of ALA, for students with more experience.

    • Interested in knowing more? Contact:

    On campus: