Employers
Approximately 141,200 librarians (including children's librarians) are employed in the United States. Thirty-five percent of librarians work in elementary and secondary schools, and 31 percent work for local public libraries. Others may work for private libraries.
Starting Out
Generally, librarians must complete all educational requirements before applying for a job. In some cases part-time work experience (or participation in an internship) while in graduate school may turn into a full-time position upon graduation. Some employers, too, may allow an especially promising applicant to begin learning on the job before the library degree is conferred.
To break into this career, turn to library association Web sites or publications for job listings and recruiters. Your college’s career services office can also provide job leads. The American Library Association (ALA) job Web site (https://joblist.ala.org) offers links to employment opportunities throughout the country. Many positions will also be advertised on sites such as Indeed.com and LinkedIn.com.
- Acquisitions Librarians
- Archivists
- Book Conservators
- Child Care Service Owners
- Child Care Workers
- Child Life Specialists
- Corporate Librarians
- Database Specialists
- Elementary School Teachers
- Exhibit Designers
- Film and Video Librarians
- Guidance Counselors
- Information Brokers
- Law Librarians
- Librarians
- Library and Information Science Instructors
- Library Assistants
- Library Directors
- Library Media Specialists
- Library Technicians
- Medical Librarians
- Music Librarians
- Nannies
- Neonatal Nurses
- Pediatric Dentists
- Pediatricians
- Preschool Teachers
- School Nurses
- Special Education Teachers
- Teacher Aides
- Tutors and Trainers