The library world has many titles and terms that might not be familiar to those who don’t work in the industry, and the term librarian can mean different things to different people.
For example, an academic librarian might supervise all college or university library aspects, including curriculum development, collection management, budgeting, fundraising, instruction, and personnel administration.
An elementary school librarian might teach story time and facilitate research projects with help from classroom teachers and other school staff members.
Librarians usually need at least an undergraduate degree in library science or a related field, and many states require a master’s degree to become certified librarians.
The salary varies considerably based on location and experience. However, job seekers should consider the following factors before accepting their next job offer.
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Who Is an Academic Librarian?
An academic librarian is a professional who works in a library that serves a college or university.
They are responsible for acquiring, organizing, and maintaining the library’s collection of books, journals, and other materials.
In addition, they may also provide reference and research assistance to students and faculty.
Academic librarians typically need at least a master’s degree in library science from an accredited program.
After earning their degree, candidates must undergo a state-recognized certification before beginning work as an academic librarian.
Certification requirements vary by state but usually involve coursework, an examination of general skills and knowledge about library resources, and then one or more examinations on subject-specific knowledge related to the candidate’s intended specialization within libraries.
For example, if you want to specialize in history, you will have different qualifications than someone who wants to specialize in English literature.
While most states require applicants to be certified before working with undergraduate students, some allow work with graduate level students without certification; however, those positions do not pay as much.
Academic Librarian Job Description
An academic librarian is responsible for organizing, managing, and supervising a library’s collections and services.
They work with faculty, students, and staff to ensure that the library’s resources are effectively used.
Academic librarians also play a role in developing the library’s budget and ensuring it is spent wisely.
In addition to these duties, academic librarians also teach information literacy and research skills classes.
They often take on administrative roles, such as serving as head, assistant librarian, or dean of libraries.
If you’re interested in becoming an academic librarian, you’ll need a master’s degree in library science or a related field and at least three years of experience working in libraries.
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Important Skills Required as an Academic Librarian
Librarians need to be excellent communicators, both in writing and verbally.
They must effectively communicate with a wide range of people, from students to faculty to administrators.
They must also be able to work independently and as part of a team. Librarians need to have strong organizational skills and pay attention to detail.
They must be able to juggle multiple tasks and priorities at once.
Finally, librarians need to be comfortable using technology, as they will be expected to use various computer programs and databases daily.
Academic Librarian Salary: What You’ll Make and Why
Becoming an academic librarian is a great way to enter the library and information science field.
An academic librarian’s salary depends on a few factors: experience, education, and geographic location.
The average salary for an entry-level academic librarian is $38,000 per year. With experience, wages can increase to $60,000 per year or more.
The most experienced academic librarians can earn salaries of $80,000 or more per year.
Education has a significant impact on the salary of an academic librarian. A Master’s degree in library science will typically result in higher earnings than a Bachelor’s degree.
Librarians with graduate degrees often have the opportunity to advance into administrative positions that pay significantly higher salaries.
What Type of Librarian Makes the Most Money?
Academic librarians make the most money, on average. They typically have a master’s degree in library science and work in college and university libraries.
Their duties include:
- Cataloging books and other materials.
- Managing staff.
- Helping students with research projects.
They also often teach classes on information literacy.
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Conclusion
The median salary for an academic librarian is $58,520 per year, meaning that half of all librarians earn more than this amount and half earn less.
The lowest 10 percent of earners make less than $35,380 annually, while the highest 10 percent make more than $93,350.
As with most professions, experience plays a role in earnings potential, with senior librarians often earning the highest salaries.
