Librarians

Librarians are information professionals who work in libraries or information centers, managing collections, providing access to resources, and assisting users in finding information. They perform reference interviews, develop and evaluate collections, organize materials, and support information literacy through instruction and programming. Librarians may also preserve rare materials, manage digital repositories, and oversee library services for communities of users.

Settings and roles: Public libraries serve the general public; academic libraries support research and teaching at colleges and universities; school libraries support K-12 education; special libraries serve settings such as hospitals, law firms, corporations, or archives. Many librarians hold a master's degree in library and information science (MLIS/MLS) from programs accredited by professional bodies; some roles require additional certifications or subject-area degrees. Core duties include collection development, cataloging and metadata, reference and research facilitation, user instruction, outreach, and administration of personnel and budgets. Librarians work with discovery systems, catalogs, and digital resources; they may also manage archives, digitization projects, and data services.

Education and professional standards: Most librarians hold an MLIS/MLS. Professional standards and ethics are guided by organizations such as the American Library Association and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. Cataloging and metadata standards like MARC, Dublin Core, and Resource Description and Access (RDA) are commonly used. Ongoing professional development is encouraged.

Trends: The role expands to digital resources, licensing, open access, and data management. Librarians advocate for information literacy, privacy, intellectual freedom, and equitable access; they collaborate with educators, researchers, and communities to promote learning and cultural participation.