How to become a Librarian in the United States
[Please note: information that follows is related to becoming a librarian in the United States.]
You may have been tempted to skip over this article. When I was a teenager and my dad suggested I consider becoming a librarian, I'm sure I gave him a wooden look. It was probably last on my list of preferred career choices. Considering all of the stereotypes, that's understandable. I pursued liberal arts and associated jobs, as well as teaching. Several years later, when I needed a concrete career path, I came around to the library option. It can be a wonderful career choice for the right person. To maximize your employability, you should seriously consider getting your library Master's degree from a school that holds accreditation from the American Library Association. There are over 60 ALA-accredited programs at universities in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
First, since a Masters degree is almost always required, and the programs are rigorous, I recommend that you visit some libraries and talk to some actual librarians about what their work involves before you make your decision. As a former school librarian, I know that often people have the mistaken idea that librarians sit around all day reading. In school libraries, it is not uncommon to work very long hours and to have the sole responsibility of ordering, processing, and circulating materials, teaching research classes, managing reading programs, conducting literature-related activities, as well as shelving most of the books; often there are few volunteers to help. However, this varies according to the location, and a few school libraries do have assistants. I say this not to discourage you-it can be one of the most rewarding jobs there is-but you should be aware up front. I wasn't. Often Teacher-Librarians are on the teacher pay scale. Some special librarians are paid very well, but you should take a look at the Occupational Outlook Handbook or similar source to see salary ranges; you may consider them low for the amount of education required. Again, I say this in the interest of full disclosure, and not to discourage you. Job satisfaction is not just about remuneration.
Before beginning a library program, you should consider such factors as the location of the program, specific classes offered, and the number of classes available online, in addition to the factors you'd normally consider when choosing a university In most cases, you will need to take the GRE before applying, although some library programs may accept the Miller Analogies Test or GMAT. Many, or even most, will only consider applicants with a 3.0 or better GPA. You should expect a request for references from former professors, and there may be additional admission requirements. For a list of accredited programs, you should check the web site for the American Library Association, www.ala.org
Technically, the same library degree (often a MLIS, or Master of Science, but it can vary according to the program) is generally required by all four types: public, academic, school, and special libraries. Some general courses are common to preparation for all types, but additional coursework related to the specific type of library is also required. Therefore, I recommend that you find out as much as you can about the types of libraries and consider which would be the best fit for you Also check the job market in your area. You will need to make a decision about specialization before getting too far into the coursework. For example, if you wanted to become a health sciences librarian, you would need to find a library school that had a track, or coursework, for that specialized field. Some library programs are considered to be stronger than others for the preparation of school librarians, and you should also know that in some states, you may be required to have a teaching degree with certification before adding on the library certification in order to become a Teacher-Librarian. In some cases, you may be able to be certified as a school librarian without the Masters, but if it is a matter of just a few additional Master's classes to get the degree instead of certification, you should plan for that to give yourself the option of working in other types of libraries later on. Without going into too much detail, you may need a Masters in something else even if you do have library certification, so it's a wise move in my view to just get the Masters so you'll be covered.
Once you have been admitted, have taken the coursework, and have earned your Masters, you will be well on your way to becoming a librarian: public, special, academic, or school. But there will be twists and turns, and things you will continue to need to learn, so I strongly recommend joining your state and national library associations. This is true no matter what type of library you choose to become a part of, but again, I have my prejudices and I think it is especially important for Teacher-Librarians, since you are almost always an "only" on your campus and the administration is not always aware of the many lower-profile tasks involved in your day-to-day work, in addition to the obvious teaching and checking out books and materials to teachers and students. Becoming a member of the professional organizations, including the sub-organizations in your specialization, can make a huge difference in the degree of contentment you'll find. Attending the conferences and taking an active role will energize you and take you the rest of the way on your journey to becoming a real librarian. Pity dear Pinocchio. He was a real boy, but never a real librarian. :-) The world has need of us.
