Educational: Minimum qualification required to take up a course
in Library Science is graduation. One with graduation can go for Bachelors
degree in library science. Duration of this bachelors course is one year.
Those with Bachelor degree in library science can go for Masters degree
in library science which is of one year duration. One can also go for
M.Phil and Ph.D in this field. There are also diploma and certificate
courses.
Various universities, colleges, polytechnics, as well as distance learning
institutions around the country offer courses in Library Science. In most
of the institutes selection is through an entrance test.
Course areas include library and information systems management, classification/cataloguing
systems, bibliography, documentation, preservation and conservation of
manuscript, library management, research methodology, computer applications,
information processing, archives management, indexing, library planning
etc.
Personal attributes:
One can become a librarian if he/she has a basic interest in books as
well as a variety of topics, good communication skills, customer service
attitude, methodical approach, organising ability, ability to anticipate
user's needs, a wide general knowledge and ability to cope with frequent
interruptions when doing jobs requiring concentration.
They must have knowledge of a wide variety of scholarly and public information
sources, and follow trends related to publishing, computers, and the media
to effectively oversee the selection and organization of library materials.
Remuneration
Salaries of librarians vary according to the individual's qualifications,
experience, type, size and the nature of the hiring institutions.
Librarians with primarily administrative duties often have greater earnings.
Government of India scales are higher than those of the University Grants
Commission. In terms of grades- Assistant Librarians are of equal position
to lecturers; Deputy Librarians to Readers; and the Librarian's position
is equivalent to that of a Professor's. Average annual earnings of librarians
is around Rs 100000 - 150000.
