Careers in Library Science

Dedicated to serving diverse communities, librarians in public libraries guide users through the vast array of information available—whether in print, electronic or digital formats—and help them use it effectively. Within the public library structure, you can find:

Reference librarians typically manage staff, select resources for the library’s collection, and develop information programs and systems to meet users’ needs. Increasingly, research librarians serve in outreach roles, finding innovative ways to engage community members in lifelong learning.

Typically working with children and teens, youth services librarians develop, plan and conduct programs and services that promote continued learning and a love of reading.

Course Spotlight

LIS 4702 Public Libraries – 3 credits

This course provides an overview of public libraries in the United States. Students will gain an appreciation for the complexities of managing public libraries and the differences that exist within the various governance structures. Public services and advocacy will be covered, along with the government structures that impact the work of public libraries. Students will explore practical tools for de-escalation, self-care and community engagement.

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Dedicated to supporting the teaching mission of the institution, academic librarians serve the information needs of the higher education community. Armed with knowledge of a wide variety of scholarly and information sources, they assist users by guiding them through available resources, interpreting information needs, and finding and organizing information.

Academic librarians must be able to operate effectively at all levels of the academic institution and serve as liaisons to academic departments in order to implement broad-reaching, curriculum-integrated information literacy programs.

Dedicated to serving as school and information leaders, K-12 school librarians help promote the integration of technology into the 21st-century learning environment. They are responsible for managing the school library, building its collection and developing programming that promotes lifelong learning. They often help teachers find resources to use for lesson plans in the classroom.

In addition, school librarians focus on providing students with information literacy skills and guiding them through the library’s resources. Depending on the size of the library, a K-12 school librarian might be responsible for managing the entire library or just one aspect of the library.

Course Spotlight

LIS 4330 Information Literacy Instruction – 3 credits

This course provides an introduction to the principles of library instruction and information literacy, including a historical overview of their place within the profession. While the course focuses on instruction within an academic setting, students will learn important educational theories that can be applied to a variety of settings. ACRL and AASL standards will be examined as well as types of instruction, instructional design, collaboration with faculty, various competencies, assessment and lifelong learning. The class strongly emphasizes public speaking, communication skills and the practical application of educational theory.

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