Librarian

Librarians collect, organise and look after library materials, and make them available to library users. They may also answer specific requests for information.

What you will do

Librarians may perform the following tasks:

• plan and supervise library services
• create library and information programmes, and implement them in libraries
• select and buy library books and other material
• record and organise library material such as books, magazines, films and tapes
• update and maintain electronic library databases
• help people find books and other material
• gather material from various sources, including the Internet, to help people find specific information
• answer information enquiries
• encourage people to use the library and arrange promotional events
• work with users to develop information skills and literacy programmes
• hold meetings and conduct surveys to find out what services users want the library to provide
• manage and develop the library or organisation's websites and intranets
• manage records or archive collections
• design and develop library technology such as customer self-issue systems and databases
• train staff and library users in the use of the library and information
• attend meetings with library funding providers on the development and funding of the library and its resources

You need to be

• knowledgable about different methods of organising and finding information
• knowledgable of the kinds of books and material kept in the library
• able to use computerised information systems, including the Internet and posess research skills
• able to evaluate material
• good at record keeping
• a good communicator and teacher 
• good at general knowledge 
• knowledgable of publishers, writers, reading trends and literature
• knowledgable about  the community and people who use the library
• knowledgable about how to protect books from damage
• good at project management and planning
• friendly, helpful and patient when dealing with people
• able to remain calm and polite under stress
• accurate, quick, efficient and logical
• enquiring and good at listening
• creative
• able to work on your own or as part of a team
• highly literate
• motivated
• able to ask for help