Career: Librarian

Becky O’NeilYouth Services DepartmentWesterville Public Library

What we’ll cover

• A bit about me!• So, what exactly does a librarian do?• What goes on at a public library like mine? • What does a public librarian do?• What are some other types of librarians?• What are some other jobs in libraries?• How can you get involved?• Question time!

I always loved to read…

Image courtesy of Flickr

…but I didn’t work at a library until I was in college.

Otterbein College – image courtesy of Flickr

During and after college, I worked at the Westerville Public Library, and I really liked it…

…enough that I got my Master’s of Library and Information Science degree from Kent State University.

Image courtesy of Photobucket

I love my job!

• I get to talk about books.• I get to meet new people.• Every day is different.• I learn something new EVERY day!• I get to do creative things.• I help people and make a difference!

But what exactly does a librarian do all day?

…any ideas?

Put away books?

“Shhhhhh”?

Image courtesy of auburn.edu

Nothing but reading?

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Not true!

• Librarians help people find information.– Books– Magazines and Newspapers– Computer (Internet and Databases)– DVDs and CDs– Sometimes research, sometimes enjoyment– The more you know about everything, and how to

find out more, the better librarian you are!

• A public library is a kind of community center.– Collection of books & movies to check out– Meetings & events– Programs for all ages – entertainment and education– Computer and Internet access– Space to work– Local history - Museum or archives– Tax forms & voter registration

A public librarian’s job, Part 1

• Working with people in the library– Reference and Readers’ Advisory– Programs– Computer assistance– Different departments/areas of the library

Media Department

Video Game Area

Children’s Area

Teen Area

Teen Magazines

Drive-up window

Video Editing in the Tech Center

Anti-Saloon League Museum

Local History & Archives

State Street, Uptown Westerville, 1960

Program: Henna Tattoos

Program: Puppet Shows

Program: Angel the Cockatoo

Chess & board games

Program: Writing Clubs

Choosing a story topic from the parachute

Program: LEGO Competition

Visit from C-SPAN’s Campaign 2008 Bus

A public librarian’s job, Part 2

• Working with people outside the library– Visits to schools and community events– Reference and readers’ advisory: email, online

chat, telephone– Library conferences and education

Look familiar?

El Dia De Los Niños @ Westland Mall

Telephone/email/chat

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Public Library Association Conference, Minneapolis 2008

Image courtesy of snakejones.com

Other kinds of Librarians

• Academic librarians (colleges and universities)• Special librarians – art, law, hospital, prison,

corporate, government• School librarians and teachers• Archivists and curators• Computer scientists and database

administrators

Other jobs in libraries

• Circulation• Tech services – cataloging, repair• Webmaster/web content• Page (shelving)• Collection Development – choosing and ordering• Administration – manager, director, accounting• Outreach – deliveries to schools & nursing homes

Depending on the size and type of your library, you may get to do some or all of these things.

Web designOrdering booksBook reviewsInstruction and teachingSchool visitsCatalogingProcessing new booksWeeding out old booksCirculation statisticsBudgetingReference and researchComputer technologyDisplay, flyers, marketingStorytime and programs

Oh yeah…and sometimes, reading!

Interested? What you can do:

• Study what you like• Stay up-to-date on technology• Volunteer at a library• Work at a library

Thanks for listening! Questions?