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What is a Librarian?
A librarian is a trained information specialist who holds
a university undergraduate degree and a Master of Library
and Information Science (MLIS) degree.
As information experts, librarians search for and find
information, collect and organize information, and implement
systems and vehicles that make information easy to access
from long or short-range locations.
Librarians are trained to find and collect all types of
information - books, newspapers, magazines, databases, websites,
CDs, videos, government publications and any other type
of publicly available data. They are also trained to develop
systems to organize and manage this information so that
it can be easily retrieved. Librarians design and deliver
information services for their client groups as well.
Librarians have a variety of roles available to them,
depending on the type of library or setting they are working
in. In more traditional settings, such as a public library,
librarians can specialize in reference, collection development,
cataloguing, children's collections, youth services and
library computer systems, to name just a few. In a small
special library, at any time librarians may be called upon
to work with collections, reference, cataloguing, instruction,
or computer systems. This 'jack of all trades' approach
is an aspect that appeals to many librarians. In alternative
job settings, beyond traditional libraries, librarians are
increasingly playing roles as website developers, corporate
information officers, and information brokers.
Librarians are the oldest information profession. Now,
in the information age, their field is growing rapidly.
As the field changes and evolves, those who study library
and information science will have many opportunities in
the information and technology sector, as well as in different
types of libraries.
In Saskatchewan the career of librarian is not a nameless,
faceless one. Here it is possible to make a name for yourself
and to know colleagues, even if they work at other libraries
or branches. Numbers of library and librarian jobs are projected
to increase by 2005. More library jobs means more opportunity,
especially here in Saskatchewan, which has a workforce where
significant numbers are moving into retirement. There are
opportunities for advancement in the Saskatchewan library
community, and since the community is smaller, there are
many opportunities to take a leadership role in the field.
More information on
job futures and average salaries for librarians
Return to Library Career
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