Occupation

Librarian

Librarians select, organise, and make collections findable, and help people search for and evaluate information. Public library work also involves programming, digital access, and supporting community members who have nowhere else to go for help. Behind the desk sit cataloguing standards, licensing negotiations, and collection budgets.

Also known as: Public librarian · Academic librarian · Information specialist · Reference librarian

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Occupation content

Part of Community, social and public services

A visual day in the work

What the work involves

  1. Help users find, evaluate, and use print, digital, and archival resources

  2. Select and assess materials and manage subscriptions and licensed databases

  3. Catalogue and classify items so collections stay consistent and searchable

  4. Plan and deliver programmes, workshops, and information literacy sessions

  5. Support access to computers, digital services, and community information

  6. Handle collection budgets, vendor relationships, and policy or access questions

Entry-route stepper

How people commonly enter

  1. A master's degree in library and information science, which is the standard professional qualification in many countries

  2. An accredited undergraduate or postgraduate librarianship qualification recognised by the national professional body

  3. Chartership or professional registration with the national library association where that pathway exists

  4. Progression from library technician or assistant work while completing the professional qualification

Typical training: Postgraduate or professional degree

Licensing: Certification common, not usually required

Work-context map

Typical work context

  • Public facing
  • Team based
  • Quiet focus
  • Desk based
  • Predictable routine

Public facing · Team based · Quiet focus · Desk based · Predictable routine

Related interests

  • Conventional (organizing)
  • Social (helping)
  • Investigative (analytical)

Conventional (organizing) · Social (helping) · Investigative (analytical)

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Skills to practise

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Official sources

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Labour-market context (not part of exploration match)

This is broad family-level context for Community, social and public services in Canada, not a figure for Librarian. It does not affect matching scores and is not an eligibility determination.

This is a broad Community, social and public services family. Explore the official profile for the chosen occupation; entry education and training can differ within the family.

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Community, social and public services: education pathways

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Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period

Community, social and public services: licensing

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