Librarians and media collections specialists
SOC Code: 25-4022Also known as:
Access Services Librarian, Acquisitions Librarian, Audio Visual Aids Technician (AV Aids Tech), Audio Visual Collections Coordinator (AV Collections Coordinator), Audio Visual Commissioning Specialist (AV Commissioning Specialist)
Median Annual Salary
$64,320
+1.7% growth (2024-2034)
14K
Openings/Year
142K
Current Jobs
What Librarians and media collections specialists Do
Administer and maintain libraries or collections of information, for public or private access through reference or borrowing. Work in a variety of settings, such as educational institutions, museums, and corporations, and with various types of informational materials, such as books, periodicals, recordings, films, and databases. Tasks may include acquiring, cataloging, and circulating library materials, and user services such as locating and organizing information, providing instruction on how to access information, and setting up and operating a library's media equipment.
💰 Salary
$64,320
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+1.7%
As fast as average
🎓 Education
Master's degree
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
14K
Projected average per year
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
142,100
Projected Employment (2034)
144,500
Related Careers
Library science teachers, postsecondary
$78,630 •
+3.0% growth
Archivists
$61,570 •
+3.8% growth
Library technicians
$39,970 •
-6.8% growth
Instructional coordinators
$74,720 •
+1.3% growth
Library assistants, clerical
$36,010 •
-6.7% growth
Top Skills Required
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Speaking
Writing
Critical Thinking
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Check books in and out of the library.
- Teach library patrons basic computer skills, such as searching computerized databases.
- Review and evaluate materials, using book reviews, catalogs, faculty recommendations, and current holdings to select and order print, audio-visual, and electronic resources.
- Search standard reference materials, including online sources and the Internet, to answer patrons' reference questions.
- Keep up-to-date records of circulation and materials, maintain inventory, and correct cataloging errors.
- Analyze patrons' requests to determine needed information and assist in furnishing or locating that information.
- Supervise daily library operations, budgeting, planning, and personnel activities, such as hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations.
- Plan and teach classes on topics such as information literacy, library instruction, and technology use.
- Confer with colleagues, faculty, and community members and organizations to conduct informational programs, make collection decisions, and determine library services to offer.
- Code, classify, and catalog books, publications, films, audio-visual aids, and other library materials, based on subject matter or standard library classification systems.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
Master's degree
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Master's Degree
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Librarians and media collections specialists
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a librarians and media collections specialists:
Educational/Instructional Technology
8,879 degrees awarded •
296 colleges offer this program
Library and Information Science
6,141 degrees awarded •
70 colleges offer this program
School Librarian/School Library Media Specialist
529 degrees awarded •
33 colleges offer this program
Children and Youth Library Services
34 degrees awarded •
3 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Librarians and media collections specialists
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become librarians and media collections specialists.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do librarians and media collections specialists make?
The median annual salary for librarians and media collections specialists is $64,320.
What education do librarians and media collections specialists need?
Most librarians and media collections specialists positions require a master's degree.
Common degree programs include Educational/Instructional Technology, Library and Information Science, School Librarian/School Library Media Specialist.
Is becoming librarians and media collections specialists a good career choice?
Librarians and media collections specialists is projected to see +1.7% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 13,500 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for librarians and media collections specialists?
Top colleges for aspiring librarians and media collections specialists include
Harvard University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Georgia, New York University, University of Pennsylvania.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to librarians and media collections specialists?
Librarians and media collections specialists may also be known as: Access Services Librarian, Acquisitions Librarian, Audio Visual Aids Technician (AV Aids Tech), Audio Visual Collections Coordinator (AV Collections Coordinator), Audio Visual Commissioning Specialist (AV Commissioning Specialist), Audio Visual Coordinator (AV Coordinator), Audio Visual Specialist (AV Specialist), Bibliographer, Bookmobile Librarian, Catalog Librarian, Cataloger, Catalogue Librarian, Cataloguer, Chemical Librarian, Children's Librarian, Circulation Manager, Classifier, Collection Development Librarian, Digital Librarian, Document Manager.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.