Librarian

What does a librarian do?

• Select, buy and organise books, journals, databases and digital resources.
• Catalogue and classify materials so that people can find them easily.
• Help users search for information and judge whether sources are reliable.
• Teach research, reading and digital skills to students and the public.
• Plan events, reading programmes and community activities.
• Manage library systems, budgets, staff and volunteers.
• Preserve and digitise special collections and archives.

Where do they work?

Librarians work in public libraries, schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, law firms, companies, research institutes, museums, national libraries and government departments. Public librarians often work evenings and weekends, while school and university librarians follow the academic year. Some specialise in areas such as law, health, research data or digital archives. The work is indoors and mixes time with library users and time at a computer. Many posts are in the public sector, so the number of jobs depends on public funding.

What skills do you need?

• Organising and cataloguing information
• Research and database searching
• Digital literacy and library systems
• Teaching and training
• Customer service
• Data and records management
• Management and planning
• Communicating with people of all ages

Official skills profile (ESCO)

Essential skills listed for this occupation in ESCO, the European Commission's multilingual classification of skills and occupations.

• carry out internet research
• classify library materials
• provide library information
• evaluate information services using metrics
• analyse library users' queries
• manage digital libraries
• develop solutions to information issues
• negotiate library contracts
• assess informational needs
• conduct scholarly research
• buy new library items
• perform customer management

Essential knowledge: scientific research methodology · information governance compliance · collection management

How do you become a librarian?

The route depends on the country. In the United States and Canada, professional librarian posts usually require a master's degree in library and information science from an accredited programme. In many other countries, including much of Europe, Asia and Latin America, a bachelor's degree in library and information science is the main route, sometimes followed by a master's. Graduates of other subjects often enter through a postgraduate conversion course. Work experience as a library assistant or volunteer is valuable. School librarians in some countries also need a teaching qualification.

1. Bachelor's degree in library and information science. In many countries, a three- or four-year bachelor's degree in library science, information science or information management prepares you for professional posts. These programmes cover cataloguing, information retrieval, digital libraries, research methods and library management, often with work placements in real libraries.
2. Postgraduate conversion course. Graduates in any subject can take a master's degree or postgraduate diploma in library and information science, which usually lasts one to two years. This is the standard route in the United States and Canada and is common in the UK and Australia. A first degree in history, science or law can help with specialist posts.
3. Library assistant route. Many people start as library assistants, which usually does not require a degree, and study part-time for a professional qualification while working. This route gives practical experience and helps you decide which type of library suits you, although senior posts usually require a recognised qualification.

Degrees that lead to this career

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Do you need a licence to work as a librarian?

Librarianship is not a licensed profession in most countries, but many professional posts require a recognised degree. A few countries, such as Brazil, require librarians to hold an approved degree and register with a professional council. In some countries, such as France, public library posts are filled through competitive civil service exams. School librarians in parts of the United States need a teaching or school library certification. Professional associations in many countries accredit courses and offer chartered or certified status.

How much does a librarian earn?

Pay in the United States

• $68,270Median annual wage, May 2025
• $43,660–$103,990Range from the lowest-paid 10% to the highest-paid 10%
• 133.8KPeople employed in the US

US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, SOC 25-4022, May 2025. National estimates across all industries; excludes the self-employed.

Earnings of Professionals around the world

Most countries do not publish pay for single job titles. The International Labour Organization collects median monthly earnings for broad occupation groups instead. This career belongs to ISCO-08 major group 2, "Professionals". The table covers the whole group, which includes librarian and many other occupations.

Source: ILOSTAT, median monthly earnings of employees, latest year available. PPP$ adjusts for price differences between countries so figures can be compared. "vs all employees" compares the group's median with the median for all occupations in the same country.

Career progression

1. Library assistant
2. Assistant or junior librarian
3. Librarian or subject specialist
4. Senior librarian or library manager
5. Head of library services

Job outlook

The job has changed from managing mainly printed books to managing digital resources, data, research support and information skills teaching. Demand varies by sector. Public and school libraries depend on public funding and may face cuts, while universities, research organisations, law firms and health services need specialists in digital information and data. Skills in digital collections, research data, copyright and teaching help librarians adapt. Some librarians move into related areas such as knowledge management and records management.

Questions about becoming a librarian

What degree do you need to be a librarian?

It depends on the country. In the United States and Canada, most professional librarian jobs require a master's degree in library and information science. In many other countries, a bachelor's degree in library or information science is enough, and graduates of other subjects can take a postgraduate course. Check the requirements of employers where you want to work.

Is being a librarian a good career?

It can be rewarding if you enjoy helping people, organising information and supporting learning. Jobs are often stable once you are established, especially in universities and national institutions. However, competition for professional posts can be strong, and public library jobs depend on government funding. Digital and data skills improve your options.

Are librarians still needed in the digital age?

Yes, but the work has changed. Libraries provide free internet access, digital skills training, study spaces, community events and access to expensive research databases. Librarians help people find reliable information among huge amounts of online content, which has become more important with the spread of misinformation and AI-generated text.

What is the difference between a librarian and a library assistant?

Library assistants handle daily tasks such as lending, returning and shelving items, helping visitors and supporting events, and usually do not need a degree. Librarians are professionally qualified and manage collections, teach information skills, plan services and lead staff. Many librarians started their careers as library assistants.

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Sources

1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — SOC 25-4022, national estimates, May 2025
2. ILOSTAT — Median monthly earnings of employees by occupation — ISCO-08 major groups, latest year per country
3. European Commission — ESCO occupation profile — ESCO code 2622.2

How to cite this page: CourseToJob (2026). How to become a librarian: degrees, skills and salary. https://coursetojob.com/careers/librarian/ (accessed September 26, 2026)

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