Academic Libraries

• Service to faculty and students
• Reference
• Circulation
• Technical services
• Serials management
• Manuscripts
• Access/Outreach
• Music
• Metadata
• Web design/maintenance
• Digital files
• Digital/Paper preservation
• Government documents
• Special collections
• Media services
• Teaching
• Administration/Management
• Research support
• Cartographic information specialist
• Publishing
• Bibliographic support
• Local area network manager
• Electronic services
• Prospect research
• Collection development
• Instructional technology
• Audiovisual materials
• Information literacy

Employers

• Universities and colleges
• Junior and community colleges
• Specialized academic programs (seminaries, optometrist programs)

Information & Strategies

• Academic librarians may work one-on-one with students and faculty, teach and present seminars, or work in technically-oriented positions such as systems design or database management.
• Any bachelor's degree in liberal arts is good preparation. Classes in communication, business/management, computer science, and statistics can be helpful.
• Related undergraduate subject degree is useful when working with particular specialties such as art or agriculture.
• Develop excellent computer skills.
• Gain experience in business and management to work in administration.
• Work part-time in a college or university library to gain relevant experience.
• Earn a master's degree in library or information sciences from a program accredited by the American Library Association (ALA).

School Libraries and Media Centers

• Teaching
• Administration
• Technical services
• Administrator (school system level)

Employers

• K-12 schools, public and private
• Public school districts

Information & Strategies

• School librarians or media specialists may help teachers develop curricula, prepare lesson units, team teach or provide staff development.
• Many states require a master's degree in library science and some require a specialty certification or an educational endorsement.
• Some states also require teaching certification or student teaching in a library/media center.
• Work or volunteer experience related to children and teaching is useful.
• Become adept with various technologies and develop strong computer skills.
• Learn to work both independently and with groups.

Public Libraries

• User/Reader services: reference, information and referral services, youth services, children, young adults, special collections
• Technical services: acquisitions, serials management, collection development, cataloging, system automation, archives management
• Web development/maintenance
• Special collections
• Administration
• Genealogical research

Employers

• Central libraries
• Library branches
• Library services to jails, retirement homes, nursing homes, hospitals, senior centers, etc.

Information & Strategies

• Some librarians specialize in a particular subject area such as government collections or technology, or a particular type of materials, such as maps or photography, or with a special population.
• Creativity, a flair for drama, and an enjoyment of children are important for those working in youth services. Courses in child development and psychology are helpful in this field.
• Develop a broad liberal arts background and earn a master's degree in library or information science from an ALA accredited program.
• Develop strong computer skills and learn to enjoy working with new technology.

Special Libraries and Information Centers

• Indexing/Abstracting
• Competitor intelligence
• Strategic information
• Knowledge management
• Records management/Archives
• Information architecture
• Document design
• Information management
• Usability
• Digital preservation
• Email management
• Hypermedia
• Visual resources
• Reprography
• Grey literature
• Antiquarian books

Employers

• Large hospitals
• Medical schools
• Law firms
• Law schools
• Bar associations
• Large corporations
• Industrial and scientific collections
• Research labs
• Local, state, and federal government agencies
• Nonprofit organizations
• Public libraries
• Colleges and universities
• Art schools
• Museums and art institutions
• Prisons
• Galleries
• Historical societies
• Publishing houses
• Advertising and public relations agencies
• News organizations and electronic media
• Picture services
• Motion picture studios
• Television stations
• Trade and professional associations

Information & Strategies

• Special collections librarians generally have interests, skills, and knowledge related to the collection and many work with a particular population in special libraries, e.g. lawyers or doctors.
• Most positions require a bachelor's degree in a field related to the collection topic, such as business, science, art, etc. Some require a graduate degree in the field.
• Many law librarians have a Juris Doctor (law degree).
• Knowledge of foreign languages may be required in certain fields.
• Develop skills in research and a solid background in informational technologies.
• Earn a master's degree in library or information science from an ALA accredited program.

Information Services

• Research
• Indexing/Abstracting
• Online retrieval
• Information architecture
• Programming
• Database management

Employers

• Information service agencies
• Outsourcing companies
• Research centers
• Large corporations
• Self-employed: consulting, freelance editing, research

Information & Strategies

• Information services professionals provide research and services to corporations, writers, or individuals needing information or references on a particular subject.
• Expertise in an industry or subject area may be helpful.
• Supplement undergraduate curriculum with courses in business to gain an understanding of marketing principles.
• Develop excellent research, writing, and organizational skills.

Information Systems/Technology

• Design/Development
• Management/Operation
• Database administration
• Computer support
• Network administration
• Programming
• Systems analysis
• Web development/Maintenance
• Training
• Reprography
• Information architecture
• Digital preservation
• Privacy regulation

Employers

• Libraries: public, academic, and special
• Data processing centers
• Corporations
• Research centers
• Government
• Universities

Information & Strategies

• Professionals involved in information systems help organizations with the storage, retrieval, and management of records or information and support information technology in an organization.
• An undergraduate degree in management information systems (MIS) or computer science is the preferred background before earning a master's in information science.
• Build a strong computer background in programming skills using several languages, various operating systems, database management, software, and networks.
• Increase employment opportunities through product-related certification or by earning Certified Computing Professional (CCP) status conferred by the Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals. CCP's must pass an examination and meet various requirements.
• Gain related experience through internships, co-ops, or part-time employment.
• Develop excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Learn to work well with both technical and non-technical staff.

Electronic Publishing

Employers

• Database producers
• Distributors of electronic publications, e.g. business firms, universities, nonprofit organizations, professional associations, etc.
• Electronic publishers
• Self-employed

Information & Strategies

• Electronic publishers or publishing professionals create and distribute publications in electronic form.
• Develop writing skills through classes in English, journalism, or technical writing.
• Learn advanced website design and programming.