Question about librarian profession

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Rrty

Well-Known Member
Jun 4, 2007
1,394
4,588
Anyone here work at a library, either as a librarian or some other status? Couple things I'm wondering.

I'm thinking maybe in a year or two of trying to pivot over to that career. But I'm older. So, I just wanted to be realistic about such a move.

Realistically, is it a young person's game? Is there a lot of age discrimination to someone trying to change into that career?

What do I need to become a librarian? I have a degree, but not in library sciences...do I need the latter, or is a higher degree good enough? If the answer is yes on needing the latter, any idea on the cost of acquiring one? Would a library pay for me to get one? And can it be done online? I used to know a librarian who got her degree in this field online, but it was after she began working at a library. I do not know if it was paid for her, but I have a feeling it was.

How political/difficult is acquiring a library position? Is it a who-you-know-in-the--city deal?

Are library directors open to people with disabilities or special requests? For instance, it is difficult for me to work morning shifts, for certain disability reasons (not diagnosed reasons, I must add, but a disability in my opinion all the same)...is that a nonstarter conversation in an interview setting?

Lastly, how much detail work is it versus big-picture thinking? Is it essentially like a retail job in terms of service, or are there opportunities to shape curation, policy, activity structure, etc.?

Thanks. If it is easier just to post a link to somewhere with good info on the subject, that's fine, too, if this might be too many questions (and it just might be, as I read it over)...I know I can search for this, but I want to start here, and hear from someone first who knows the occupation (assuming there is someone here like that)...
 

Wayoftheredpanda

Flaming Wonder Telepath
May 15, 2018
4,907
22,094
20
I doubt there'd be much of a degree involved if it's just a regular library, I just imagine it'd be a lot of sorting books and desk work. But what can I say, I am not a librarian.

Is it just a general library you want to work for, or would you maybe do it for a school or university?
 

niro

Well-Known Member
Apr 5, 2013
2,434
14,206
I am a librarian but in germany. Here they really do look for a degree in Information Science. There is maybe a chance if you are into Programming (Python, Java, Java Script), Photoshop, making a Websites stuff like that. There is way more digital stuff these days.
In germany there even is a better chance if you have a disability to get a job. That's because you are employed by the state mostly.
It's mostly women in germany maybe 75/25 %. It's pretty much mixed related to age.
A lot of todays librarian will be in retirement like our Mrs Mod in the next five years.
It is a job i maybe will do till i am going to retire one day.