Career as a Librarian – A certain set of abilities is necessary to become a librarian. Use this practical, easy-to-follow guide to find out more about a profession in library science & information, as well as about salaries, employment prospects, resources, and crucial advice on how to begin a career as a librarian.
About Librarian
Since the invention of writing, people have been writing and documenting their ideas and thoughts on various platforms, which has left a mark on the history of libraries & librarians. Experts were hired to keep an eye on these materials. These individuals subsequently became known as librarians, and the profession of librarianship was born. The existence of numerous artefacts connected to Indian mythology, monarchs, and their monarchy allows one to see the history of librarianship in India.
At that time, most libraries were privately owned and only available to picky writers and readers. In contrast, there are now two different kinds of libraries – public libraries & private libraries. The job of a librarian continues to be the same, which is to maintain track of the books and organise them methodically and in the correct sequence as directed by the relevant library authorities.
With the right degree and training, the job description of a librarian today has received recognition. Because of this, if you enjoy being among books and have a passion for reading and keeping books, this job is perfect for you. We have gathered pertinent and important information that you must be aware of if you are considering becoming a librarian in order to assist you with this. We have gathered pertinent and important information that you must be aware of if you are considering becoming a librarian in order to assist you with this.
Roles and Responsibilities of a Librarian
A librarian is often in charge of managing and arranging the library. It is one of his or her responsibilities to read book reviews, and catalogues since it is up to him or her to remain current on the subject matter and locate other resources to purchase books from various publishers. Librarians examine collections and maintain current databases of journals, articles, books, audiovisual materials, & electronic resources. All resources are gathered and organised by a librarian.
- Collection – A librarian is required to gather and categorise all of the library’s materials, including books, DVDs, and other publications. He or she is responsible for ensuring that the library’s patrons’ resource demands are addressed.
- Maintenance – Librarians are experts in updating and maintaining library records. It includes details like the date and time the study materials were made available. It is expected that all the resources are easily available and discoverable.
- Organising Events – A librarian coordinates book sales, author appearances, and other events. He or she controls finances, prepares events, and supervises personnel activity. A librarian must make contact with publishers to order books and arrange them on library shelves.
- Helping – A librarian’s role is to help individuals locate books and point them in the direction of similar reading material or study aids depending on their interests. He or she is responsible for ensuring that the library serves the needs of its users.
- Teaching – A librarian must show patrons how to conduct information searches using the library’s databases. Additionally, it is his or her responsibility to make library users aware of the regulations. Additionally, a librarian shows clients how to use the library’s computerised resources.
Types of a Librarians
The following are some kinds based on librarian work:-
- Academic librarians are frequently employed at institutes of higher learning where they oversee libraries and other educational resources.
- A digital librarian deals with storage, availability, & digital knowledge to arrange and manage digital libraries or resources.
- Music librarians keep an eye on, arrange, preserve, and gather musically linked resources.
- Law librarians are professionals in the legal field who are in charge of maintaining and protecting legal literature and data.
- Library administrators are responsible for managing the library’s many tasks, including book administration, acquisition, and preservation.
Steps to Follow to Become a Librarian
There are a few straightforward yet crucial stages to becoming a librarian.
- Decision-making – After passing the 12th-grade exam, students might choose to become librarians. Due to the requirement of a bachelor’s degree for employment as a librarian, candidates cannot enrol in the librarian programme immediately following their 10th-grade exams.
- Subject Choices – B.L.I.Sc. and B.Lib. courses in library science are common choices in India. If you wish to have a successful career in this profession, it is advisable that you enrol in one of the aforementioned courses.
- Entrance Exam – Applicants must begin preparing for a variety of exams that are overseen by specific colleges, such as the B.Lib. entrance test at AMU.
- College Selection – The best colleges to choose from are those that provide bachelor’s or master’s degrees in library science, whether they are private or public. At renowned institutions, the admissions process is merit-based. Deserving people are given seats based on how well they did on the admissions test or selection process.
- After Exam – After passing the qualifying test, students with a degree in library science can apply for positions in public or private organisations. To obtain a decent deal at a school, students might also seek higher education.
Employment Opportunities for Librarians
Being a librarian is a difficult job since applicants must keep track of all the books, reference materials, documents, and other pertinent files and folders of the organisation they will be working for. The many industries and disciplines where librarians are employed are explained by the employment prospects for librarians. These industries employ librarians to properly structure and arrange their libraries according to their preferences. Let’s look at the list of industries and professions that employ librarians.
- Educational Institutions
- Governmental Organisations
- Law Firms
- Corporate Houses
- Media Houses
- Hospitals
- Research Organisations
- Private Firms
- Foreign Embassies
- Museums and Galleries
Average Salary of a Librarian
The organisation that a librarian works for sets their salary. The applicants’ merit, level of understanding, educational background, and work experience can all affect the pay scale. The typical monthly payment for a librarian in India is around 21,800 INR. The range of salaries is INR 11,300 to INR 33,300.
| Job role | Average Annual Salary(INR) |
| Chief librarian | 3-4 lakh |
| Library Assistant | 1.5-2 lakh |
| Library attendant | 1-2 lakh |
| Deputy librarians | 3-4 lakh |
| Public librarian | 2-3 lakh |
| School librarian | 2-3 lakh |
| Teacher librarian | 2-3 lakh |
| Law librarian | 3-4 lakh |
| Junior Librarian | 1-2 lakh |
Top Recruiting Companies for Librarians
For the purpose of study, knowledge, or reference, organisations that own libraries containing books, reference materials, video, and audio journals, etc. use librarians, who are professionals that operate in a literary environment. These groups operate in a variety of industries, including those of education, medicine, governmental agencies, the media, and business. The list of some of these top hiring firms for librarians is provided below for the convenience of potential candidates.
- Allindia Radio
- Doordarshan
- Lawyers Associations
- St Xavier’s Collegiate Schoo!
- LaMartiniere For Girls School
- The National Library of India
- Sinha Library
- Delhi Public Library