Overview
- Academic librarians work within universities and further education colleges to provide access to academic information and knowledge resources for students and staff.
- Responsibilities include managing, organizing, evaluating, and disseminating information, as well as providing support to the academic community.
Functions
- Cataloguing and classification
- Resource ordering
- Loans management
- Specialist collections curation
- IT systems management, open access, and e-resources
- Library project management
Support Services
- Teaching skills development:
- Copyright law
- Information literacy
- Literature searching
- Referencing
- Electronic resource management, including database management and webpage development
- Customer-focused role
Job Titles
- Collections Librarian
- Information Adviser
- Learning Support Librarian
- Liaison Librarian
- Partnerships Librarian
- Subject Librarian
Responsibilities
- Collection management
- Information acquisition and cataloguing
- Resource creation and management
- Information literacy instruction
- Academic course development collaboration
- Research support
- User assistance
- Budget management
- Professional development participation
Salary
- Varied salary ranges based on position and experience
- Graduate trainees: £17,000 - £22,000
- Senior librarians/directors: £38,000 - £93,000
Qualifications
- First degree or postgraduate diploma/master’s in librarianship or information science/management
- Subject-specific knowledge may be required for certain roles
Working Conditions
- Typically a 35-hour week with potential for evening, weekend, and holiday work
- Opportunities for part-time work and job sharing
- Work may occur in various locations within academic institutions
Skills
- Customer service and interpersonal skills
- IT proficiency
- Communication and presentation skills
- Research abilities
- Adaptability and problem-solving skills
- Teamwork and initiative
- Organizational and time management skills
Work Experience
- Relevant work experience required for postgraduate courses
- Opportunities for internships and trainee positions
Employers
- Higher and further education institutions, research institutes
- Varied organizational structures and responsibilities within institutions
Professional Development
- Professional registration with CILIP (Certification, Chartership, Fellowship)
- Continuing professional development activities recommended
- Opportunities for staff training programs and research degrees
Career Prospects
- Opportunities for career progression and specialization
- Initiative and dedication essential for advancement
- Possibilities for secondments, special projects, and interdepartmental movement
- Potential to move into related information management roles in various sectors