librarian

A librarian is a professional who works in libraries and information centers, organizing, acquiring, cataloging, preserving, and providing access to materials such as books, journals, digital resources, and archival collections. They assist users with research questions, offer reference services, and teach information literacy skills to help people evaluate sources, search effectively, and navigate library systems. Librarians may also develop programs, curate collections, and collaborate with educators and community organizations to promote literacy and lifelong learning.

Librarians work in a variety of settings, including public libraries, academic libraries, school libraries, and special libraries in corporations, government agencies, hospitals, and museums. Duties vary by environment but commonly include collection development and management, cataloging and metadata creation, user instruction, reference service, and outreach. They also manage digital repositories, support access to e-books and databases, and help preserve rare or historical materials.

Education and credentials typically shape the profession. Most librarians hold a master’s degree in library science (MLS or MLIS), often from an American Library Association–accredited program, with additional subject-area degrees or endorsements for certain specializations. Ongoing professional development is common, and in some regions certification or licensure is required. Library technicians and assistants may work with different qualifications, such as associate degrees or certificates.

History and current trends: The modern librarianship profession emerged with the expansion of public libraries in the 19th and 20th centuries, evolving from book shelving to information services, research assistance, and digital resource management. Today librarians navigate open access, copyright and privacy considerations, digital literacy, data management, and equitable access to information while continuing to support learning and community connectivity.