Librarian (public library)

Administer and maintain libraries or collections of information, for public or private access through reference or borrowing. Work in a variety of settings, such as educational institutions, museums, and corporations, and with various types of informational materials, such as books, periodicals, recordings, films, and databases. Tasks may include acquiring, cataloging, and circulating library materials, and user services such as locating and organizing information, providing instruction on how to access information, and setting up and operating a library's media equipment.

O*NET definition of Librarians and Media Collections Specialists (SOC 25-4022) · Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed.

Education workers say the job requires

Share of surveyed workers in Librarians and Media Collections Specialists (SOC 25-4022) naming each level as required to be hired, 27 respondents, O*NET survey August 2026. Each employer sets its own minimum.

Librarians typically need a master's degree in library science (MLS). School librarians and library media specialists typically need a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field, along with a teaching certificate; requirements vary by state.

From the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile “Librarians and Library Media Specialists”, published August 27, 2026 · Read the full profile. National guidance; each employer runs its own hiring process.

Median annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.

1. Search standard reference materials, including online sources and the Internet, to answer patrons' reference questions.4.7
2. Analyze patrons' requests to determine needed information and assist in furnishing or locating that information.4.4
3. Supervise daily library operations, budgeting, planning, and personnel activities, such as hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations.4.4
4. Plan and teach classes on topics such as information literacy, library instruction, and technology use.4.3
5. Confer with colleagues, faculty, and community members and organizations to conduct informational programs, make collection decisions, and determine library services to offer.4.3
6. Code, classify, and catalog books, publications, films, audio-visual aids, and other library materials, based on subject matter or standard library classification systems.4.3
7. Review and evaluate materials, using book reviews, catalogs, faculty recommendations, and current holdings to select and order print, audio-visual, and electronic resources.4.3
8. Evaluate vendor products and performance, negotiate contracts, and place orders.4.2
9. Direct and train library staff in duties, such as receiving, shelving, researching, cataloging, and equipment use.4.1
10. Arrange for interlibrary loans of materials not available in a particular library.4.1

The 10 most important of 25 core tasks for Librarians and Media Collections Specialists, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of August 2026.