How To Become a Librarian/A Day in Life of a Librarian | 2024 Update

[@jamiepx9]

Thank you! My mom was an elementary school librarian for many years. People (including some teachers) think all she did all day was randomly choose books to read to students and check out books. They have no idea all the work that went into her lessons plans. Thank you for all the work you do.

[@BookishRealm]

Thank you for watching love ❤️

[@kalebbotts1940]

Thank you for making this video, your older librarian videos really helped me solidify my desire to pursue a library career. As a Black aspiring librarian, I appreciate your videos a lot. I can't wait to watch this and Happy Library Week :)

[@BookishRealm]

Awww I hope you join us in the profession love! We need more of us ❤️

[@smittenforfiction]

I've been working as Library Relief staff since October and have loved it so much that I decided to go back to school. Thank you for sharing your knowledge! I learned so much from this video and it has inspired some ideas. I'm interested in helping to develop more teen programs.

[@BookishRealm]

That’s so good to hear!!! Good luck with school love ❤️

[@allgirlreview433]

Thank you so much for being a librarian. The library was a refuge for me as a child and I still love to escape into books.

[@BookishRealm]

Aww thank you love 💕

[@SIMulatedSara]

I love this video. I wanted to be a librarian my whole childhood. I grew up deeply steeped in my library community. I would participate and win (several times over) in the summer reading programs, attend events like storytime, library day at amateur sporting games, ghost stories in the park, movie theater takeovers, everything. And now I'm a library adult (patron). I never went for my MLS/MLIS, but I work in an independent, academic bookstore as the book buyer. Being called a "book fairy" may be one of the best compliments I've ever received!

[@amyschmelzer6445]

About fifteen years ago when my daughter was little we used to go to storytime at the local public library. One of the librarians was great with kids, but she didn’t have a degree. Within a couple years they had a huge shakeup and began requiring their employees to have a specific degree, probably the MLS. She was let go. I wish they had been able to work with her to give her time to further her education because she was naturally good at it.

[@BookishRealm]

Awww that’s so sad!

[@boxersandbooks]

I'm currently getting my MLIS through the University of South Carolina. It's really killing me to work 50+ hours a week for teaching and then have 2 masters courses on top of it. But I'm also getting specializations in EDI and Children and Youth Services

[@BookishRealm]

Ahhhhh can you DM me? I would love to chat with you more about this program! ❤️

[@boxersandbooks]

@@BookishRealm sure!

[@milaynaxlynn96]

I've applied for Library Assistant at my local library twice. I got interviewed once, but they chose to go with someone else (I think me mentioning a vacation I had planned for the future ruined my chances). I really thought after applying the second time that I would get the job, I was excited, even though it pays less than my current job. I've always loved reading and libraries were my safe place as a child. I'm almost done with my bachelors degree and I really wanted that experience before getting my MLS. Hearing you say it's hard to get in the door actually makes me feel better an not as if it's my own personal failures holding me back. Thank you for this video! It was super insightful!

[@Cup_of_tea424]

im in your exact position -- down to finishing up my BA degree -- im getting mine in English with a minor in English. I'm just gonna try as hard as possible after this quarter to volunteer at a library, and then try for a library assistant.

[@DanielleP0314]

I’m in my second year of grad school now for my MI library degree (Master of Information), and it’s been a huge learning curve for me! I had worked in one public library during the pandemic, but I didn’t like it there. Now that I’m in school again and work in an academic library as a student assistant, there’s more structure here than in a public library. I’m also an ALA Spectrum Scholar (scholarship dedicated for BIPOC library school students) 💚 I’m a part-time worker and PT student. Thank you for everything you do in libraries! ❤

[@hannahandherstories]

Thank you so much! I found your channel initially through your day in the life of a librarian videos from years ago and loved them. It was so lovely to hear an updated version from you and learn about your journey. I cannot overstate my appreciation for libraries and librarians. 📚

[@BookishRealm]

You are so welcome! And thank you for watching 💕

[@suesmith4040]

I volunteer for the local library. I listen to books on CDs to find scratches and skips etc .. .

[@BookishRealm]

Yes! I’m sure they appreciate all the work you do!

[@heyimsasa]

thank you for all of your efforts online and in the community. you are keepers and protectors of knowledge and accessibility and there are few people i respect more 💖

[@BookishRealm]

Aww thank you love ! 💕

[@greysonkeller5418]

I can't wait to watch this! As a fellow librarian, I have been looking forward to seeing this!

[@BookishRealm]

Yay!!! ❤️

[@Intro_Liz]

Crazy how different each library system is. At my local library you only need a high school diploma to become a library assistant of sorts. It’s mostly to do with putting books back on shelves and helping people with the computers/printers

[@BookishRealm]

Same at my library! You don’t have to have a degree for the library assistant positions but as you move up the preferred requirements change quite a bit!

[@carterfrvr]

Love your videos! I love that you gave an insight into the prep that goes into all of a librarian's duties. My boss and I were discussing the debate on whether libraries should remove the MLIS qualification for librarian positions, when they argued that in a world of increasing book bans and challenges, having that qualification can be a reassuring aspect for some and can help libraries plead their case for their librarians to decide what books to buy. I love that working in libraries makes every day different. One day I am helping with a children's art program, the next day I'm on a ladder decorating the ceiling for a summer reading event. My family and friends always ask, "When do you actually work?" because they never see me behind a desk!

[@BookishRealm]

Lmao we’re never just at a desk!

[@mcsims6094]

I’m thinking about getting my MLIS. I don’t know why i applied to the university near me but im thinking about archives. I am a sub at my local library. We do not have time to read a book at our desk. No day is the same lol. I’ve learned not everyone has the same access to technology like I did growing up so I had to learn patience when teaching patrons about basic computer skills.

[@BookishRealm]

Go for it!!!! If I could have chosen another speciality it definitely would have been archival work!

[@lemoncat9213]

I was watching your recent book banning video and it reminded me of this manga called "Library Wars". In the manga, censorship is crazy and libraries are one of the few places you can get books. The librarians have to become literal military trained soldiers and will kill and die to protect the library because the government is constantly attacking the building (and there's a romance with the main character lol). It seemed like a far-fetched idea when I read it as a kid, but now I'm thinking it's not.

[@BookishRealm]

I need to read it!

[@kellyh5328]

Thank you for this! I'm currently working on my undergraduate and have been seriously considering going on to get a degree in library science. I knew the field was competitive, so hearing you talk about your experiences and the different opportunities and options available was really helpful.

[@BookishRealm]

You got this! And I’m glad it helped!

[@LizOzone]

I've got an interview next week for a library technician apprenticeship... nervous and excited. Thank you for your vids!

[@BookishRealm]

I hope it goes well love! 💕

[@PeacePatch1820]

I will be interviewing for a Librarian Clerk tomorrow. I have been watching your videos as reference. I found myself enjoying this process and I have subscribed. Thank you for sharing.

[@hitatchiqueen]

This series is how I was introduced to you! I was feeling so hopeless during lockdown in the job I was in and my best friend sent me one of the day in the life or librarian q&a. The rest is history!

[@hitatchiqueen]

(Am currently still not a librarian 😂)

[@shalalala4875]

Thank you for sharing your valuable experience. I am glad to hear you pivoted from a different career. I have been working in healthcare for almost 10 years and while I love public service, working in healthcare is not for me and I just keep burning out. In the past few years I have been able to do more administrative work in healthcare and it has made me realize how I need to look into jobs that utilize my detail-oriented mind, love of research and public service to my community with meaningful work. Growing up I was always in my local library, it was my safe space. I would love to be part of that amazing community service, as you said libraries are the last free third places in our country. I reached out to my local public libraries and they said they do not have volunteer opportunities but encouraged me to check into becoming a page. I have since been looking for page, library assistant, any positions in public libraries and haven't found anything yet, but I will keep looking. Do you think it is feasible for me to get a job as a library assistant or library tech without a bachelors or associates degree?

[@reginaldfairfield]

Hey! I love when you talk about your work in libraries. They're helpful. I'm 1/8 Black Librarian workers in a group of 100. I want to get my degree but I'm scared I will do as well in it as I did with my undergrad and that was a FLOP. 😭 I know that I would tell someone who isn't me to just take the leap, but I can't get myself to do it. But if YOU tell me to, then I have to. LOL

[@KierTheScrivener]

So cool to hear your experience! (I laughed when you talked about applying, I've applied so many times to my local library).

[@hopez.4901]

Love your library-focused videos! I'm about a week away from getting my MLIS and 3 years into being an elementary school librarian. It's been ups and downs, but I love libraries so much as that community resource and love when I can contribute to that. Libraries fight the good fight.

[@akila6496]

Thanks so much for this information! Truly invaluable especially for someone who's always wanted to work in the library system but didn't know all that it takes to get your for in the door.

[@BookishRealm]

Glad it was helpful! ❤️

[@libraryofstitches459]

Thank you for this video! It's so interesting to hear about your different roles. I've been contemplating changing careers, and have always wished I had the opportunity to try working in a city/county library.

[@JoshTrommer]

Thank you for this video! I'm curious as to how the addition of digital media (libby and hoopla) has changed the library. How do libraries consider resources for those that use these resources but do no go to a physical location. Are there initiatives that engage these people? Do you find that more people place holds on books to check out and don't browse the library?

[@oz4648]

I'm also curious how libby affects local libraries!

[@BookishRealm]

Good question! Since the pandemic most libraries in the country have seen an increase in econtent circulation as opposed to physical collections. People are more likely to use apps like Hoopla and Libby. I think because people got so used to using those apps and they’re super convenient especially when you have a busy schedule, people just gravitate towards them. This doesn’t mean that we don’t try to get people in the door through various initiatives and programming but we can’t deny that interest in those resources has skyrocketed.

[@moonbookandmirror]

This was so helpful, thank you so much! What did you get your undergraduate in? I'm not sure if I want to do archival or a community library, but I'm sure the undergraduate will be helpful depending on what I choose.

[@amyrakoff5839]

Yip. I've been a Librarian for 9 months. Not easy to get in the door. I'm from South Africa. I needed to go through a lengthy interviewing process. We have a chef librarian, two senior librarians, the librarians, assistant librarians, Library aids, part time assistant librarians, student interns

[@brociagaohose4407]

Hi I am also in South Africa and have the same experience as you I am currently a library assistant 😊

[@cwreads]

I went for an interview at a library for event scheduler. That was the scariest interview i have ever been to and I knew I wasnt going to get it.

[@BookishRealm]

Aww! I’m sorry it was scary love!

[@bettymakesclub8011]

Thank you so much for sharing this with us 😊 my question is, are there places for other professions in the library? Sort of like a cross over? For example I’m a software engineer, would there be a place for someone with that skill set to work in a library without being an actual librarian?

[@cicillecaminong9412]

Hi. I am a professional librarian working in an academic library for 7 years already. I am currently pursuing my Masters degree in Library and Information Science. I would like to work abroad probably in Canada or USA but it seems hard to find a direct employer for this profession.

[@pickyourpopculturepoison]

I used to want to be a librarian so badly. After teaching, though, I realized the nonsense is just too much. It's really sad that there's so little to recommend about the most important jobs in our country (librarians, teachers, nurses, etc.).

[@BookishRealm]

Those professions are the backbone of our communities and also the most disrespected.

[@mggardiner4066]

Also social workers

[@DoubleA-ou7pj]

Very interesting. Thanks

[@BookishRealm]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@amyschmelzer6445]

You talked about how you select the books that your library purchases each week. Libraries have a limited amount of physical space. They can’t keep old books indefinitely on the shelves or in the basement or in some off-site storage facility. How do you go about deciding which books to retire?

[@BookishRealm]

We follow the CREW guidelines for weeding. Books are removed from the catalog due to age, outdated information, low circulation, and condition. You can look up the guidelines online! Check them out, it’s interesting.

[@janetnamukose]

Hello Am a professional librarian with a bachelor degree in LIS desiring to develop to my career so i will love to learn more in library managemnt

[@Vincedaprince1]

So do I need an mlis if I have an education masters? Is it a make or break?

[@BookishRealm]

Nope! It depends on the system. Some places don’t require a MLIS although I personally recommend it.

[@alexandriaevans8004]

OOO-OOP❤

[@BookishRealm]

OOOOOO-OOP Soror!! ❤️🐘

[@chocolateoreo6489]

🫶🫶🫶❤❤❤

[@BookishRealm]

💕💕💕

[@chocolateoreo6489]

@@BookishRealm 🫶🫶🫶