"If the economy is rebounding, the library world has yet to feel it.
The budget constraints of the last several years are now showing up in
salary growth that lags behind inflation and in job searches that seem
endless and are three times as long, on average, as last year."
Stephanie Matta [Library Journal,
"Placements and Salaries 2003" but still mostly true today].
Accurate predictions are always a bit fuzzy. Your best bet is to check the current Occupational Handbook, an annual publication prepared by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It provides substantial useful information for librarians, but some data is not current. There are also outlooks for other information related professions. Here we focus on librarians. In 2008, the Handbook reported:
"Employment change. Employment of librarians is expected to grow by 4 percent between 2006 and 2016, slower than the average for all occupations. Growth in the number of librarians will be limited by government budget constraints and the increasing use of electronic resources. Both will result in the hiring of fewer librarians and the replacement of librarians with less costly library technicians and assistants. As electronic resources become more common and patrons and support staff become more familiar with their use, fewer librarians are needed to maintain and assist users with these resources. In addition, many libraries are equipped for users to access library resources directly from their homes or offices through library Web sites. Some users bypass librarians altogether and conduct research on their own. However, librarians will still be needed to manage staff, help users develop database-searching techniques, address complicated reference requests, choose materials, and help users to define their needs."
"Jobs for librarians outside traditional settings will grow the fastest over the decade. Nontraditional librarian jobs include working as information brokers and working for private corporations, nonprofit organizations, and consulting firms. Many companies are turning to librarians because of their research and organizational skills and their knowledge of computer databases and library automation systems. Librarians can review vast amounts of information and analyze, evaluate, and organize it according to a company’s specific needs. Librarians also are hired by organizations to set up information on the Internet. Librarians working in these settings may be classified as systems analysts, database specialists and trainers, webmasters or web developers, or local area network (LAN) coordinators."
"Job prospects. More than 2 out of 3 librarians are aged 45 or older, which will result in many job openings over the next decade as many librarians retire. However, recent increases in enrollments in MLS programs will prepare a sufficient number of new librarians to fill these positions. Opportunities for public school librarians, who are usually drawn from the ranks of teachers, should be particularly favorable."Opportunities Vary
Opportunities for employment in information agencies vary according to the current economic and political environment as seen state by state and place by place. In recent years, fewer resources have been allocated to many information agencies, particularly those that are publicly funded. Information agencies have also changed the ratio of professional to support positions so that fewer information professionals are required, and these professionals are more likely to be involved with planning and supervision than daily contact with users. Information technology has eliminated some tasks and positions as has outsourcing. This means that the job market for librarians is tight in many places and finding an initial position may be difficult.
Typically, there are more opportunities in metropolitan areas and the salaries are better. If finding employment is your highest priority, youth services librarian would be a good choice [here includes working in public and private K12 schools].
About 20% of librarians work on a part-time basis and this percentage may be growing as full-time positions become more difficult to find. Full-time public and academic librarians typically work some evening and weekend hours. School library media specialists work the same hours as teachers.
Typically, only public school library media specialists must be licensed or certified and requirements vary from state to state. If you are licensed in one state, you may also be licensed in others since many states have reciprocal agreements.
Working conditions are generally good. However, librarians may need to do some lifting and shelving. Spending substantial time at a desk, often in front of a computer monitor can be troublesome. Sometimes working with difficult users is difficult and challenging. Making do with limited resources may also be stressful.
Employers are increasingly interested in graduates with solid information management skills -- information architecture and digital content management. At the same, the ability to be a highly effective team leader as well as a highly effective team member receives much attention. It is generally assumed that new graduates will be familiar and comfortable with new technologies [hardware, software, web-based applications] so competency here is important for many employment opportunities.
Predictions
For several years, the American Library Association and others have predicted substantial employment opportunities because of aging professionals. Although the evidence is mixed, these predictions have not come true and the job market remains tight. In many cases, LIS graduates wait some time before they are employed. Again, this varies by place and the degree to which graduates are mobile. Given that librarianship is often a second or third career, many graduates are not mobile and are limited geographically because of family and other obligations. The Handbook notes that willingness to relocate is especially important in finding employment.
Another prediction that may offer hope is non-traditional employment. It seems fair to say that every organization suffers from information problems whether it be managing records, files, or the knowledge in employee heads. With the advent of the Internet and the WWW, other opportunities emerge for information architects and others involved with digital creation content. One problem here is persuading organizations that LIS graduates can solve their information problems, but there are opportunities for the well-prepared student.
When considering employment opportunities, note that many library and information organizations are publicly funded. This means that employment opportunities grow when tax and fee monies are good and decline when these monies are scarce. At the moment, with government finances declining, funding concerns are growing. This means that there are vacant positions that cannot be filled. In some cases, layoffs have been reported.
Supply - Demand Changes
For a variety of reasons, there are fewer [about 61] ALA accredited library and information science programs today than in the past. At the same time a growing number of distance education options, means that the degree is much more available than before. While it is difficult to find the evidence, critics suggest that the current supply exceeds the number of available positions. There are about 5,000 LIS MS graduates each year.
There appear to be fewer entry level positions than in the past.One reason is the increased use of para-professionals to perform tasks formerly assigned to librarians. At the same time, information technology has removed the need for some professional positions. For example, shared bibliograhic records have allowed many libraries to replace professional librarian catalogers with clerical or paraprofessional adaptive catalogers.This is especially true of libraries facing financial challenges.
Some libraries are hiring professionals or specialists outside the profession. For example, IT professionals may be hired for information technology focused positions.
At the moment, positions in youth services [especially in public schools] and some of the technical services have become more difficult to fill because they are less popular with recent graduates. Academic research library positions, especially in reference, remain popular, and competition for these entry level positions is intense. Graduates with solid knowledge and skills in information technology are more likely to find a position and earn more than those without this background.
Those with meangingful library work experience and the LIS MS are more likely to find employment. That experience may come from part-time employment or even practicum experiences, but it is essential.
For archivists, the job outlook is highly competitive. The number of applicants substantially exceeds the number of positions. Experience and specialized training make a difference, especially as more archives digitize and use digital resources to provide access. The Handbook says "substantial work experience in collection management, research, exhibit design, or restoration, as well as database management skills, will be necessary for permanent status."
Non-Traditional Opportunities
Non-traditional, information professional positions beyond the usual information agencies, especially those dealing with more sophisticated information technology, are growing in number and represent a substantial opportunity. While every organization has information problems, many do not realize that they need an information professional to solve these problems. Unlike libraries, these employers rarely post position announcements in a few standard locations. Instead, they are more likely to use the metropolitan newspaper. Thus, it is often difficult to identify opportunities.
Salaries
Obviously, salaries vary with experiences, skills, and location. Librarians in management positions earn the most. The Handbook for 2008 reports:
"Salaries of librarians vary according to the individual’s qualifications and the type, size, and location of the library. Librarians with primarily administrative duties often have greater earnings. Median annual earnings of librarians in May 2006 were $49,060. The middle 50 percent earned between $39,250 and $60,800. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $30,930, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $74,670. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of librarians in 2006 were as follows:
- Junior colleges $52,030
- Colleges, universities, and professional schools 51,160
- Elementary and secondary schools 50,710
- Local government 44,960
- Other information services 44,170"
SIS Placement Success
While the School has been notably successful in placing its graduates in suitable positions (typically, about 80 percent of the mobile graduates are placed within ONE semester of graduation), placement cannot be guaranteed and may require considerable patience and industry. This is particularly true for those students who need to remain in the Knoxville area after graduation. Few information professional positions are available in the Knoxville metropolitan area during an average year. Many former employers of our graduates have reduced their professional staff (TVA and ORNL are particularly good examples). It is difficult to find appropriate entry level positions in East Tennessee except in school library media centers where there is a shortage.
Variables To Consider
It is difficult to generalize about placement because so many variables are involved. Placement opportunity varies with type of information agency, type of activity or function, and geographical area. Variables most likely to influence placement success include: personality and manner; vitality and enthusiasm; pre-professional work experience; subject knowledge; ability to cope with ambiguity and change; intelligence; academic performance; and quality and amount of effort in seeking a position. Non-traditional positions in information management offer an opportunity for graduates with an entrepreneurial personality and a strong background in information technology.
Where Opportunities Are Best
Employment opportunities are best for graduates with academic background in business, science, and technology; graduates with extensive pre-professional experience; graduates who are pleasantly aggressive, personable, and outgoing; graduates who feel comfortable with evaluation and planning; graduates who performed at a high level while at SIS; and graduates who are flexible in their position choices and are not tied to a particular geographic area.
Employers place particular importance on meaningful pre-professional experience, or professional experience in a related field, and in information technology competence and understanding.
Although placement can be difficult, there are never enough genuinely outstanding graduates. If you want to be a music librarian and positions are limited, you should consider alternatives such as humanities reference or music cataloging. Still, if you know what you want to do, prepare as best you can and then go for it. Do consider fall back positions if you don't find what you want.
Thoughtful Preparation
The more that you know about the profession and the job market, the more successful that you will be. Below are a few digital resources that should give you a better sense of the current information. Do spend some time on current awareness. Several years ago, I encountered a student who withdrew from our program in the second semester when he discovered typical entry level salaries. That's something that you should know at the beginning.
Librarian_wannabes is a discussion list for graduate students in LIS programs. Requires free Yahool registration. Light traffic. Learn what these students are talking about.
NEWLIB-L is a discussion list for new librarians. Important here for job satisfaction and problem information and discussion.
The Alumni Association of the School of Library and Information Science at San Jose State University has a good career services page.
ALA has a good site devoted to Library Employment.ARL Career Sources lists opportunities at member libraries [more than 100 research extensive libraries] via their career services database.
Chronicle Careers are the professional positions found in the Chronicle of Higher Education. This is especially important for those interested in academic libraries. Pay particular attention to salary and desireds and requireds. These may influence your course choices.
The Great Western Library Alliance provides job listings for research libraries in the West.
Higher Education Jobs includes a wide variety of positions and skills. Some of these may appeal to SIS graduates.
The JobLIST site combines announcements from College & Research Libraries News with those from American Libraries and ALA.Library Job Postings on the Internet is a gateway to several other sites. Includes position announcements not found elsewhere. Again, look at the salaries, desireds, and requireds in the geographic areas where you can work.
Libraryjobpostings.org is reasonably comprehensive.
Lisjobs.com [also includes other information professionals] includes positions in the U.S. and abroad. Includes excellent advice on job-seeking and other value-added features. Essential.
METRO NY lists positions in the metropolitan NY area.PNLA provides links to employment announcements throughout the Pacific Northwest and Canada.
Salary.com provides salary information for several professions including academic librarianship. The cost of living comparison tool is also helpful later on. Salary searches are by field, position and then ZIP code. Most illuminating.
Although relatively new, the SOLINET Job Bank may be helpful in identifying positions, salaries, and the like for professional positions in the Southeast.
USAjobs is the key to federal government positions. You may easily search under librarian.
Last major revision: April 2008.
