Career as a Librarian: Courses, Admission Jobs, Salary

If you are somebody who is organized and like working with people and passionate about the value of knowledge and Information. Then the profession of a librarian might suit you the best.

“A Librarian is a person trained in library science and responsible for organizing, managing, and maintaining information resources (books, journals, digital media) in libraries.

A professional librarian provides library services in public libraries, colleges, universities and schools. They helps users find information, books, conduct research, manage library technolgy etc.

Types of Librarians

The librarian as a profession can be classified based on their roles and work profile:

Academic Librarian – works in colleges and universities

Public Librarian – working area include community or government libraries

School Librarian – working area include schools, coaching centres

Library Science – A  brief Histroy

Earlier this profession was known as “Librarianship”. At present, librarians are no longer engaged in managing bookshelves only, but they also look after electronic information resources, implement latest technology for digital archiving and provide support in conducting research.

Today a librarian is also entitled as “Information Manager” or “Information Scientists”.

In history, Ashurbanipal was the first individual who introduces librarianship as a profession. The Sumerians were the first clerks who are trained to keep records of the accounts.

Over the last 2 decades, the advancement of technology has created a postive impact on the libraries and the management of the resources. They librarians has to keep track of newly advanced features, databases, etc.

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Career Scope as a Librarian

At present, librarians are high in both government and private sectors. The most common workplace for librarians are schools, colleges and universities.

Librarians are also employed in NGO’s, government organization and public libraries. In educational institutions, they can work as a research assistant to professors or in publishing companies in preparing bibliographies, catalogues and e-books.

Candidates can also work as a teacher, lecturer or as a professor after completing their PG and PhD degrees. In private sector, candidates can work as a library consultant, helping organizations with:

• Digital library setup
• Library automation projects
• Training the library staff
• Metadata and Cataloging services

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Librarian Courses in India

How to become a Librarian?

There are many universities and colleges in India who offers certificate, diploma, bachelor and master degree courses in this field. You can choose courses as per your educational qualification and career preference.

To become a Librarian you must hold a undergraduate or a postgraduate degree in this field. Candidates must a good knowledge of Information Science and good skills of customer handling.

Some of the courses which help you to start a career in the field of library science are:

Certificate & Diploma Courses

• Certificate in Library Science
• Certificate in Library and Information Science
• Diploma in Library and Information Science
• Post Graduate Diploma in Library Automation and Networking

Bachelor Courses

• Bachelor in Library Science (B.Lib.)
• Bachelor of Library and Information Science (BLI Sc.)

Master Courses

• Master in Library Science
• Master in Library and Information Science

Doctoral Courses

• PhD in Library and Information Science
• M.Phill in Library and Information Science

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates need to meet the eligiblity requirements, to pursue a career in library science:

For Diploma & Certificate Courses

To pursue diploma and certificate courses, students must have passed 10+2 level of education.

For Bachelor’s Courses

For bachelor courses like B.Lib. (Bachelor of Library Science) & BLI Sc. (Bachelor of Library Information Science), candidates should have a graduate level degree from any recognized university.

A minimum of 50% marks is required in the qualifying examination (varies with university).

For Master’s Courses

For admission in master courses, they must have passed graduation in Library Science or related field.

For Ph.D courses, you must hold a master degree in Library and Information Science.

Admission Process

Are you seeking for admission in these courses?……. So here, let us tell you about the admission procedure and good colleges to pursue these courses.

For admissions, the first step is that candidates must meet the eligibility criteria. In the next step, candidates have to clear the entrance examination (if any) for admission to the UG or PG programs.

Some of the popular entrance exams are

• CUET UG
• DUET
• BHU PET
• AMU Entrance test
• Jadavpur University Entrance Test

In some private universities, the admission are also based on the percentage score in the qualifying examination.

Top Colleges in India

Best colleges to study these courses are listed here:

• University of Delhi (DU), New Delhi
• Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi
• Panjab University, Chandigarh
• University of Calcutta, Kolkata
• Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh
• Jadavpur University, Kolkata
• Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai
• IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University), New Delhi
• University of Madras, Chennai
• Dr. Harisingh Gour University, Sagar
• Karnatak University, Dharwad
• Osmania University, Hyderabad
• Gujarat University, Ahmedabad
• Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu
• Kurukshetra University, Haryana

Career & Jobs

“Librarians mostly find jobs in the education sector.”

The Indian education sector is growing at a decent pace, every year many new universities and Institutions are being established to meet the growing demand of the country’s higher education system.

Due to this rise of educational Infrastructure, there is a significant demand of qualified library professinals in both public and private sector.

The Librarians can find employment in universities, colleges, coaching centres, public libraries and consulting firms.

In private sector, candidates can work in publishing companies, consulting firms and media houses.

Responsibilities

• Organizing information resources in an accessible way.
• To deal with enquiries and assisting library users.
• Keeping up to date with the newly publications.
• Promoting the use of the library.
• Setting up activities such as reading groups.

After becoming librarians you can work in all types of places and with all types of people. With the degree of librarian you can become an information expert, knowledge manager and a librarian.

Job Titles

• Librarian
• Library Assistant
• Information Assistant
• Library Attendant
• Deputy Librarian
• Senior Information Analyst

You can be hired as university/college librarian and Head of Department of Library. You can also join corporate sectors in areas such as marketing, web content management and design, knowledge management, database development, reference tool development, information systems, publishing firms.

Recruiters

• Libraries
• Universities
• Colleges
• Corporate Training Centres
• Research Institutions
• Media Organizations
• Consulting Firms

Salary

“Librarian gets competitive salary packages in both government and private sectors.”

In India, a Librarian can start their career with a salary of  Rs. 3 to 5 lacs per annum. The salary of professionals depends on their qualification, experience, location, and type of organization.

In government sector, the salaries are more attractive than private sector. Candidates working as an assistant Librarian earns in the range Rs. 4-7 LPA.

In the United States, a Librarian can expect an average salary of $48 k on annual basis.

Salaries will vary upon the working area, education, experience and many other factors. Candidates holding a doctorate degree (PhD) and having good experience as a Librarian can earn a very good salary package in both public and private sector..

Books & Study Materials

Some best books which will help you through out your studies are mentioned below:

This Book Is Overdue!: How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All (Hardcover) – Marilyn Johnson

Foundations of Library and Information Science – Richard E. Rubin

Reference and Information Services in the 21st Century: An Introduction – Kay Ann Cassell

Library and Information Center Management – Robert D. Stueart

Management Basics for Information Professionals – G. Edward Evans

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