Librarians and Media Collections Specialists

Also called : Audio Visual Specialist, Audio Visual Technician, Catalog Librarian, Instructional Technology Specialist, Librarian, Library Media Specialist, Media Technician, Multimedia Services Coordinator, Refer

What they do

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 t

On the job, one would

Check books in and out of the library.

Teach library patrons basic computer skills, such as searching computerized databases.

Review and evaluate materials, using book reviews, catalogs, faculty recommendations, and current holdings to select and order print, audio-visual, and electronic resources.

Keep up-to-date records of circulation and materials, maintain inventory, and correct cataloging errors.

Search standard reference materials, including online sources and the Internet, to answer patrons' reference questions.

KNOWLEDGE

Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

SKILLS

Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

ABILITIES

Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Speech Recognition
The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Information Ordering
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

PERSONALITY

People interested in this work, will do well at jobs that need;

Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.

Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.

Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Related Occupations

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

Computer User Support Specialists

Audio and Video Technicians

Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Broadcast Technicians

Education Teachers, Postsecondary

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

TECHNOLOGY

Analytical or scientific software

Cloud-based data access and sharing software

Computer aided design CAD software

Data base user interface and query software

Desktop publishing software

Development environment software

Document management software

Electronic mail software

Enterprise application integration software

Graphics or photo imaging software

Information retrieval or search software

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Preparation
Extensive Preparation Needed
Education
Graduate Degree or higher.
Experience
Extensive skills, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations.
Jobtraining
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.