To become a librarian

[toddlercoaster]

How do I get into a job at the local library?. I have never worked! Want to start working once both DDs start going to school full time (DD1 is 4 and DD2 is 8mo). I really love the idea of a job at the library as I love books and am a very introverted person. I have a degree in teaching (not from the UK ). Do I need to go for a specific course for a librarian? Can I start by volunteering?

This would interest me too so I'm here for the replies x

I'm not from the UK, but I did a one year MSc in the UK in librarianship. If you already have a BA you could look into one of those. From my understanding that wasn't sufficient to become a librarian and my friends from school went on to become "library assistants", until they could become "chartered", ie find a mentor and go through all that.

I know the sector in the UK relied a lot on volunteering a few years back, quick google seems to confirm that's still the case. Positions for reading aloud, delivering books, etc.

I'm no longer in the UK but I can tell you from my regular work day life that while it frequently is quiet and you will be surrounded by coworkers who love to read and talk about books, it's also very much a customer service role. When I'm hiring I go for the CVs that talk about how they enjoy helping people from all walks of life. The job has changed a lot over the past couple decades in that regard.

It would be worth you looking up CILIP (Chartered Institute of Librarian and Information Professionals) to get some ideas on qualifications and training you can do to increase your chances of getting a job in the profession:

www.cilip.org.uk/page/BecomeAMember

I have to advise that this may not be a particularly secure career. Many Councils are closing public libraries, even school libraries, because of budget cuts. Maybe university or specialist libraries might be a better option.

Degree, followed by a postgraduate degree, and not necessarily suited to introverts, the role is very much centred around supporting information literacy in society or the sector the role is within, it's very peopley and public libraries can attract quite vulnerable and sometimes difficult people. It really isn't as romantic as it sounds, though the higher education sector is better, but jobs are limited compared to graduates.

Start by volunteering if you can. You do not need any set qualifications or training to get a job in a library unless you are applying for a specialist library. I know if councils increasing and opening more libraries as they are now seen as community hubs offering more services. When applying via application form make sure you answer every question in detail and doing some research in advance would help. Libraries aren’t just about books anymore. They host wonderful events, education and health services and with technological advancements such as self service etc they are moving with the times. Libraries are great place to work. Best of luck

There won't be librarians in your local library (unless it is a huge city library, or you live on a university campus!). There will be library assistants, working for minimum wage. The job is purely a customer service role. You need to be outgoing, friendly, able to deal with difficult customers (you get all sorts in libraries!) and happy to lead groups such as Baby Singing/Storytime, manage volunteers etc. Definitely not a job for the introverted!

A fairly high level of computer literacy is involved (both in terms of using the proprietary library software and helping customers who are using the library computers).

Jobs are advertised on your local council's job portal. Volunteering would help you get a foot in the door.

DH is a librarian. He has an MA in information management which was sponsored through his job over 30 years ago.

The profession of effectively dead in local authorities and his main job now is managing people and logistics over several libraries.

In my area jobs are advertised through the local authority. We do still have a functioning library service though with paid staff. Some have volunteers and part time opening.

It’s very much a customer service role and you will be interacting with the public all day a lot over the use of the computers and how to use them and likely over other council services like parking permits. You won’t have much interaction with books apart from
shelving them.

Being a librarian doesn't involve reading books all day and occasionally saying Shush.

Cleaning cola out of keyboards, unjamming the public photocopier, stopping kids skateboarding inside, trying to help the patron who is looking for a book they read 20 years ago, "I think it had a green cover, and they ran away to Paris, or maybe Madrid, and her Mother had a dog..."

I went for an all day, activity based job interview to be a library assistant on 17K once. I declined the role despite having similar dreams due to the low pay, uncertain progression (esp in the context of council cuts) and prospect of dealing with people all the time, working on Saturdys and running rhyme time!

Librarians are qualified professionals. Several unis in the UK run the MSc including doing it by distance learning. I think maybe try for a library assistant role first which doesn't require the qualification, to see if a public library environment suits you. It's a service role so you're unlikely to be able to hide in the stacks reading. I only say this because I had a similar vision of working in a library. It was great fun actually but lots of interaction with the public and always on your feet, and the assistant roles are quite low paid