Librarian

In your day-to-day tasks you could:

• manage staff, budgets and statistical returns
•  use IT systems to catalogue, classify and index stock
•  deal with counter, phone and email enquiries
•  organise IT access and solve user problems
•  keep up to date with new publications and select stock
•  make sure staff follow Freedom of Information, Data Protection and Copyright laws
•  promote library services through displays, talks and community events like reading clubs
•  attend meetings and conferences

• customer service skills
• the ability to work well with others
• to be flexible and open to change
• administration skills
• knowledge of English language
• the ability to use your initiative
• sensitivity and understanding
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• working towards this role
• a graduate training scheme

You could move into a senior job as a manager. Another option is to take responsibility for a specialist service or collection.

If you hold a senior position in your organisation, you could apply for professional registration of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP).