How to become a Librarian or Media Collections Specialist
Official title: Librarians and Media Collections Specialists
Also called: Catalog Librarian, Cataloger, Librarian, Library Media Specialist, Reference and Instruction Librarian, Reference Librarian, Research Librarian, School Librarian, Technical Services Librarian, University Librarian
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.
Main tasks
- Search standard reference materials, including online sources and the Internet, to answer patrons' reference questions.
- 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.
- Code, classify, and catalog books, publications, films, audio-visual aids, and other library materials, based on subject matter or standard library classification systems.
- Confer with colleagues, faculty, and community members and organizations to conduct informational programs, make collection decisions, and determine library services to offer.
- Review and evaluate materials, using book reviews, catalogs, faculty recommendations, and current holdings to select and order print, audio-visual, and electronic resources.
- Evaluate vendor products and performance, negotiate contracts, and place orders.
How to become one
Librarians typically need a master's degree in library science (MLS). School librarians and library media specialists typically need a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field, along with a teaching certificate; requirements vary by state.
Typical education to start: Master's degree
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ways in
- College: Communications & Media degrees, Offered by 31 universities in the US
- Licence: A licence is required in 17 states.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $68,270 a year The middle half earn $56,310 to $84,480.
- About 142,300 people work in this job now, and about 145,900 are projected by 2035. (+2.6%)
- People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Librarian or Media Collections Specialist?
Librarians typically need a master's degree in library science (MLS). School librarians and library media specialists typically need a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field, along with a teaching certificate; requirements vary by state.
How much does a Librarian or Media Collections Specialist earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $68,270 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $56,310 to $84,480.
Is a Librarian or Media Collections Specialist a growing career in the US?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 3% by 2035, from about 142,300 to about 145,900 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become a Librarian or Media Collections Specialist?
Usually. 86% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of a Librarian or Media Collections Specialist?
People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.