How Do I Become a Public Librarian?

Working in a community's public libraries, public librarians assist patrons in finding reference materials; recommend books, periodicals and electronic resources; manage the library's databases; and perform research. They also may help plan a library's budget, organize classes and reading groups, write grants and work with fundraisers. To become a public librarian requires a bachelor's degree in any subject and a master's degree in library science or information science. You also might need to obtain certification and meet continuing education requirements in some locations in the United States.

The first step to become a public librarian is to obtain a bachelor's degree. Although there are some bachelor's degrees that focus on library science, you do not need to study the field at the undergraduate level and are able to pursue a major that interests you. It's important to maintain a high grade point average during your undergraduate program, because admission to a graduate library science program can be competitive.

A master's degree in library or information science usually is required to become a public librarian in the United States. Many employers require that your degree be accredited by the American Library Association, so it is important to find a university that has a graduate program with this accreditation. The program can take one or two years to complete and includes courses in information technology, research, library management, cataloging, source evaluation and collection management. You also may take workshops as elective courses and complete an internship your last semester. The degree also may prepare you for positions in academic and school libraries, in addition to public libraries.

Each state varies in its certification and continuing education requirements for public librarians. Some require you to obtain a license or pass a comprehensive exam. Another requirement in some states is the completion of a certain number of continuing education hours within a specified time period. Some librarians wishing to specialize may choose to obtain additional graduate degrees in a topic of interest, such as law, science or business.

Experience working in a public library is helpful for gaining a better understanding of the type of work librarians do. If you earn your bachelor's degree in a related field, there are some paraprofessional positions you can obtain in a library, such as a library aide, information assistant or library clerk. These positions also are useful first jobs after you get your master's degree if you need more work experience to become a public librarian.