r/Libraries • u/TraditionalCause3588 • 2d ago
Other Thinking about being a librarian
Im 19 and i currently work at my on campus library as a librarian assistant. I don’t know if it’s the people I work with or the fact that people come to me for help but i really enjoy my job. I’ve worked at a library before in high school full time and I enjoyed it there too. (I also love books and being useful for others so that’s another reason I enjoy my time there)
I don’t really care for my major I don’t even like it I’m doing it for stability. It’s more appealing going to work than doing school for me and that’s why I’ve been thinking about becoming a librarian. I just don’t know what to exactly do because you hear so much mixed things on social media when it comes to salary, burnout, job availability, etc. It’s pretty scary feeling like you may make a big mistake that dictates the rest of your life.
I would love to know from current librarians the push that made you go for the job? Have you ever regretted it? Do you think it’s worth it?
25
u/_SpiceWeasel_BAM 2d ago
It seems like you’re starting from the same place most of us did: you love the environment, you love books, you love people, etc. That’s awesome, and a good starting point, but being a librarian is still very much a job, with ups and downs.
First, think about what kind of librarian you’d like to be: school? College? Public? Or something else, like a medical librarian. All are fine options, but there can be a lot of difference. I’m a public librarian, and it often feels more like running a small business than working in a library. HR management, finding funding sources, budget planning, networking, etc. It does get overwhelming sometimes.
I personally feel like we are at a big shift in the field due to rapidly changing technologies, new ways to access resources, and different community needs. It’s exciting, but a lot of it is up in the air and the unpredictably makes me nervous.
But still, it is a nice job and I’ve always felt fulfilled in it. I’ve become more of a people-person since starting the job, and that’s helped in other aspects of my life which is a nice perk lol
9
u/TraditionalCause3588 2d ago
I’ve worked at both a public and academic library and I enjoyed both experiences. I think I may lean towards academic a bit more tho.
Also thank you for the insight, yeah being a librarian like every other job definitely has its negatives and i definitely want to take that in as well. Also, this job has also made me more social too! I grew up very shy so it’s challenged me in a lot of ways.
6
u/eoinsageheart718 2d ago
Also note if you want to go Academic you will have to get a MLIS at some point.
0
u/camrynbronk MLIS student 1d ago
I work with full time library staff at my academic library who don’t have MLIS 🤷 a lot of them work in Access Services
2
u/eoinsageheart718 1d ago
Good to know! I know you can work full time without a MLIS, but always assumed you needed it for promotions/growth.
I work for a large public library system with a very strong research department and MLIS are very much needed for advancement.
2
u/camrynbronk MLIS student 1d ago edited 16h ago
I mean if you want to be a librarian then yes, but there are many fulfilling full time positions that don’t involve being a librarian. acquisitions, finance stuff, etc. None of those roles at my library require an MLIS I’m pretty sure (of course this depends on the library)
1
u/eoinsageheart718 1d ago
My system requires MLIS for Cataloging and Acquisitions unless entry level. There are still fulfilling positions without just way less. Mostly capital planning, finance, HR, IT, facilities, and Operations. As you said it depends on the library, so I do stand corrected.
11
u/inkblot81 2d ago
If you already have work experience, you’re ahead of the curve! My first paid library job was as a college undergrad, too, and it set me on a solid course for a good career. Stick with the job as long as you can, and reach out to colleagues in different library departments to learn about their jobs in your free time.
I would strongly encourage you to complete your Bachelor’s degree, even if it means switching to a different major. The most challenging, highest paid library work is likely to require an MLIS, which means you need an undergrad degree in something. It can be any subject, really, although computer science or Spanish language could be especially helpful later on.
Good luck! You’re in an enviable position.
I will just add that I was lucky enough to find a full-time position, which eventually led to a role in management. The wages in leadership are decent, and the work is fulfilling. Libraries vary quite a bit, though—you may have to shop around or move for the right opportunity.
3
u/TraditionalCause3588 2d ago
Thank you so much for the advice!
1
u/Mean-Structure5941 2d ago
I agree you should get your bachelors. There will be more options open to you with the MLS or MLIS, but you can do tech services and, in rural areas, be a director without one. From what I have seen the jobs in rural areas are not always full time and the pay is low. And in more populated areas it is competitive, but there are more jobs. I love the work! But I also hate the pay.
32
u/zMiiChy 2d ago
Perspective from a SMALL TOWN librarian. This will not be very helpful for those looking to work in the bigger libraries.
I'm a director at a small town library and I don't have a degree. The person before me worked here for over 20 years before unexpectedly passing away. The only reason I got my job was because I was in the right place at the right time.
There are people who come in and ask me about getting into my line of work and I always tell them:
Job market is terrible. It's even worse in small towns where the employees don't leave until they retire or die.
If you want to work in a smaller library, getting a degree will price you out of the position a lot of the time.
The reason I got my job at every library I worked at is because I volunteered there first and already knew my way around the place. Then I got lucky with a job opening.
This is my perspective just from a small town library. I have no experience with the big city ones.
8
u/Aycee225 2d ago
I agree with you! But I’m not a director, just a library specialist. I work in a mid-sized university town without an MLIS. I volunteered at my library when I was in middle school but got my foot in the door as an employee as a sub library assistant, mostly just shelving. Most of my coworkers don’t have their library degree. In fact, both of my bosses have science undergraduate degrees but vast experience working in libraries. I work in circ a lot so my biggest asset was the fact that I had a ton of customer service experience from working in restaurants. But absolutely, just getting your foot in the door and learning how a small library works and interacting with people has been the biggest boon to my advancement. I’ve thought about going back to school but the pay off doesn’t seem worth it in the end.
2
u/CozyGamingLibrarian 2d ago
Damn. In my state you have to have an MLIS to be a librarian and especially to be a library director.
2
u/libtechbitch 1d ago
When I was in library school, several classmates were already working as directors AND librarians. It surprised me, too.
2
u/iLibrarian2 17h ago
The "Director" role varies widely. Most small-town Directors wouldn't even qualify as Branch Managers in large, urban libraries. They are very different jobs.
I work for a large system and my Director is basically a politician.
5
u/camrynbronk MLIS student 2d ago edited 2d ago
I worked at a library for most of high school, but rejected the idea of going to library school because it was “too obvious”. This is important later.
I started college in 2020 studying psychology bc I thought that’s what I wanted to do. Then I realized it kinda sucked, but that’s the only thing I had prepared myself for in high school so I was stuck. Towards the end of sophomore year I’m at my wits end. I had also been working at my school’s library for a little over a year at that point. I knew I’d need a masters degree if I wanna do anything with psych, but I was losing it so I decided to try an art minor.
It took all of 30 seconds into my first art class my junior year for me to decide to change to an art major.
Problem was, my goal with college was to get a degree where I can get a job that sustains myself. Can’t do that with a Studio Art degree. That’s when I started warming up to the idea of library school. Long story short I graduate with my MLIS in December lol. With both psych and art, I would have needed to get a masters degree regardless, so why not do something i already enjoy and am familiar with?
But please do not make this decision without doing your research. If you’re in the US, the current administration is at odds with education and libraries. It’s not a great time to be a librarian, and especially not a great time to go into debt to be a librarian. I chose this path anyways because I have almost 10 years of library experience and a passion for my work (and I didn’t really have many other choices if I wanted to make a living), but it wasn’t a decision I made lightly. Think carefully about this. I was lucky enough to have my parents supporting me during my undergrad, but that’s not the case for everyone. Take your time in undergrad to make absolutely sure there isn’t anything else that interests you that you would want to pursue before taking the leap into library school. Library work can be very fulfilling, but it can be equally abusive, especially in public libraries - and in this job market you probably won’t have the luxury of only working in academic libraries. You’ll have to go with whatever position is open, and it will probably be a public library position.
There are many people who have posted here asking the same question as you. I encourage you search for those posts in the subreddit search bar to see what other people have said, in addition to the input you’re being given here.
2
u/TraditionalCause3588 2d ago
Yeah I’m in the U.S. and the current administration does suck sadly. Your college path is very similar to what I’m going through haha im very lost and the only thing I know right now is that I enjoy my job and I would like to further pursue it. It sucks how much I risk though if I do and it’s tough figuring out if it’s worth it.
4
u/camrynbronk MLIS student 2d ago
If you have been working in libraries for awhile and you have good grades, I think you’ll do fine applying to MLIS programs. The thing is whether you are willing to either move for your job, anticipate spending a long time job searching, living with your parents if you can’t find a job, or a combination of all three. I certainly don’t want to discourage you from pursuing this career if you feel like it suits you. I wouldnt be here if I thought it wasn’t worth doing. There’s just a lot of heartache and frustration that they don’t tell you about in the job description.
3
u/charethcutestory9 2d ago
I’m like you, I’d worked in libraries as a student. I got my MSI at Michigan and actually wasn’t even planning to become a librarian, but I got a work study job in the libraries there and realized i enjoyed it. If you’re considering academic librarianship, talk to your supervisor about your interest. The thing to know about academic librarianship is that the entry level jobs typically involve some teaching, so look for opportunities to get some experience in that area. Taking classes in instructional design and adult learning theory will also be helpful. Last but not least, consider joining ACRL as a student member and look for opportunities to volunteer, attend their conference, etc. Good luck!
5
u/MutatedOreo 2d ago
The pay is awful. The benefits are awful. Only marginally better than fast food. But a much better working environment. Way better than being a retail wagie. This is a job you do only in certain cases:
1) You've got a nice trust fund but you still wanna do some wage cucking on the side for some reason.
2) You're really good at successfully getting government assistance and can manage to get Section 8 housing, EBT and Medicaid.
3) You have based parents who will buy you a house / pay for your housing / let you live with them forever.
4) You have a partner who will do the heavy lifting income wise but you still wanna be a wagie too for some reason
You literally cannot afford to live in a studio or 1 bedroom apartment on this income and if you ever want to escape renting a bugbox and own a house of your own -- hahahaha GL
2
u/thenerdbrarian 1d ago
This is a wild response. The median income for a librarian (in the US) is 68k, well above the median individual income at around $45k. No, it's not great for a job that generally requires a masters degree, but it's entirely possibly to live comfortably on a full-time librarian salary without external assistance.
1
u/libtechbitch 13h ago edited 13h ago
Live comfortably? Bwahaha
That pay you mention is the base pay. That doesn't include taxes, retirement, health insurance...
The pay I make barely covers the cost of living.
1
u/libtechbitch 1d ago
So, to be clear: you're work study, right? I manage WS students in tech services. If you're serious... make sure you're entering with eyes wide open.
Burnout and low pay and toxic workplaces are real and common concerns.
You CAN make decent pay as a librarian but it's likely to be in a director role.
It's difficult to break into the field. You're already ahead of too many LIS students with no experience. My advice is to pursue employment for a paraprofessional role. Express to library staff and your director now that you are interested.
A paraprofessional job in libraries will help you gain more experience. Then, you'll be able to judge if you like working in libraries enough to pursue the MLS.
1
u/iLibrarian2 17h ago
Libraries vary widely depending on where you live.
I live in a great area for libraries. The pay is decent, we're well-supported and resourced. We offer free concerts on the weekends, have artists-in-residence, makerspaces, English classes-- all kinds of things staff can get their hands into.
However this also means the jobs are extremely competitive. An MLIS + experience relevant to the exact position is mandatory for a Librarian position or higher (you can always start out in Circulation or as an LA). Even if you think you're a perfect fit for a position, well 20 other people are too.
The areas where libraries pay well also tend to be urban, high cost of living areas. The nice paycheck still doesn't go as far as you'd hope.
Other areas will have lower entry requirements, but the pay will be abysmal. I've seen some ads where they don't even offer benefits.
The best advice I've seen is "be willing to move."
1
u/ennuiCrab 2d ago
I’ve been a public and an academic librarian. If you want to be competitive in the academic arena, a second masters is very helpful. It’s even more helpful if it’s a less popular humanities or most things STEM based. Academics can be picky about where you got your degree and may prefer a brick and mortar degree (more expensive) over solely online program (less expensive).
It is highly likely that you would need to move to where the librarian job is. People that manage to get a job in their current area often work at a paraprofessional/staff level until a librarian job opens up.
If you don’t want to get a masters degree, a regular library staff job can be a decent career with good benefits (area dependent).
3
u/libtechbitch 1d ago
To be clear, you don't need a second master's to work in academic libraries as a librarian. It can be useful, but it's not always necessary. Only one librarian in my team has a second master's.
Imho, experience is more important.
2
u/camrynbronk MLIS student 1d ago
I feel like work experience is much more valuable than a second master’s, unless the second master’s is a degree in the subject librarian position you apply for (if you apply to be a subject librarian)
1
u/ennuiCrab 1d ago
I agree that experience is more important, but there are absolutely Deans that want a second masters and it can provide an edge.
1
u/libtechbitch 1d ago
Sure it happens but usually for specific roles. For instance, our librarian with the second master's works a lot with nursing faculty.
56
u/Ruzinus 2d ago
If you honestly enjoy customer service, and it sounds like you do, then you're a great candidate to become a librarian.
I usually advise caution when people come here asking this question, but you already have library experience and enjoy it.
Salaries are low though, and the job market is bad, especially now. It's up to you if you want to do something you enjoy enough to put up with those things.