The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that employment for librarians who work in public elementary and secondary schools will decline through 2032. Job opportunities for librarians who work at private elementary and secondary schools will grow faster than the average for all careers, but it's important to remember that there are far fewer openings at private schools and that competition for these positions is strong.
Budget constraints, especially in local government and public schools, may slow demand for children's librarians. Some school and local city and town libraries may close, reduce the size of their staff, or focus on hiring library technicians and assistants, who can fulfill some librarian duties at a lower cost. As patrons and support staff become more comfortable using digital resources, fewer librarians will be needed for assistance.
On the other hand, a large number of school librarians are expected to reach retirement age and leave the profession by the end of this decade, which will create some job openings.
Librarians who are very comfortable using technology and who keep their skills up to date via continuing education will have the best job prospects during the next decade.
- 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