Librarians working in local authorities run public libraries to help make available a wide range of books, magazines, music cassettes, CD-Roms and internet access. Their aim is to meet the broadest spread of information needs.

There are 10,000 librarians working in local government in the UK today. They work in larger authorities including Unitary, County and Metropolitan Councils often as part of the Education Service.

Work Environment

Librarians work indoors, except for the mobile service. Some libraries are purpose built whilst others are converted from other buildings.

Daily Activities

The emphasis of a librarian’s work depends on their particular job but in general, they are responsible for:

• ensuring adequate stock selection. Budgets are limited, and within their constraints librarians must choose materials which reflect the demands not only of the mainstream, but also of adult learners, schoolchildren and special-interest groups.
• ensuring that the stock is presented in an accessible way.
• dealing with enquiries from the public. These can be anything from finding reference materials for schoolchildren’s coursework, providing information to businesses on legal or tax issues, helping with research, or the unemployed with job-hunting, to courses and careers information.
• organising social and educational activities for the disabled and the elderly, as well as reading groups for small children.
• undertaking routine matters such as the issuing and returning of the library’s stock, reshelving and issuing reminders to borrowers about overdue books. Here they are supported by library assistants.

Skills & Interests

Librarians must be able to work with people from all walks of life and of all ages from the very young to the old.

With the advance of the internet and computers, it is vital that they have an interest in and experience of computers, and how they can assist the Library Service to deliver its services more efficiently and effectively.

Librarians needs to be good communicators – both in writing and in a verbal form. They also need to be patient, tactful, and have an outgoing personality to interrelate well with the public and colleagues.

Entry Requirements

Professional status is either via a degree accredited by the Library Association or by means of a degree in any subject but followed by a postgraduate diploma/Master’s degree accredited by the Association.

• Librarianship courses cover resource and personnel management, as well as the practice of information management. This includes information technology applications for libraries, databases, on-line information retrieval and word-processing.
• Mature entrants with relevant work experience may be accepted without formal qualifications.
• Most members will gain Associateship within two years of taking up their first professional post.
• S/NVQs are available at Levels 2-4 and Records at Levels 2-4. An Apprenticeship is also available.

Estimated salary range

£15,700 - £19,700 possibly rising to £24,000+ in some areas.

Please note that salary information is a guide only and there may be local agreements in place. For further information about salaries for particular positions, please contact your local council directly.

Future prospects & opportunities

Posts for librarians are found all over the UK. Job availability varies by region – greatest opportunity being in urban areas. Promotion is enhanced through chartered memberships of the Library Association and by moving to different areas.

The largest number of Library Association members are found in public libraries (25.1%), followed by further and higher education libraries (17.37%).

Some qualified graduate librarians may take professional (library assistant) posts in order to make a start in the profession.

There are also opportunities to work as information officers in various local authority departments, and in school library services.

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