What would a library be without his or her librarian? Passionate about books, this professional enjoys spending time among them, leading reading workshops and sharing his taste for reading. Discover in detail the profession of librarian.
What is a Librarian?
In France, the majority of librarians are women, civil servants attached to the State civil service or the territorial civil service. From Bashar Ibrahim you can get all the details for the same.
The librarian works under the direction of the curator and does not spend his time, contrary to popular belief, attending to books or keeping tabs on gossip. Indeed, if a large part of his work consists in managing the documentary collection made up of books, but also other so-called multimedia supports (CD-Rom, DVD, etc.), another part is organized around the choice of works that constitute the stock and ensure the restocking according to the requests of the public or the possible projects.
The librarian is responsible for listing, classifying and conserving the works according to very specific methods.
He participates in the choice of acquisition of the works which enrich the stock and ensures the restocking. It lists and indexes books and cultural products using very advanced techniques.
He also collaborates in the tasks of conservation of works and documents.
In addition to these missions, the librarian performs various tasks in contact with the public. First of all, he welcomes him, meets his needs, advises him and guides him in his research. He knows how to adapt to the age of the readers by arousing the literary curiosity of the youngest.
The librarian can also organize exhibitions or lecture-debates at the curator’s request.
The librarian works mainly in municipal and to a lesser extent national, university or company libraries.
Finally, the librarian must master new technologies.
The Librarian’s missions
The bookseller’s missions are varied:
- Reception of the public, information, help in choosing works
- Loan registration and monitoring
- Selection and supply of new books, DVDs or press subscriptions
- Conservation of funds by disposing of or repairing damaged structures
- Storage of books, computer recording.
- Setting up of activities for the public (exhibitions, reading workshops, etc.).
- Promotion of the library
Qualifications required to become a Librarian
Passionate
The librarian is passionate about books of all kinds who devours writings in order to know how to transmit to his clients his emotions, his opinions.
Rigor
Filing tasks take a preponderant place in his work and involve a great sense of organization.
Curiosity
The librarian cannot be satisfied with his personal tastes. He must be open to different works and stay informed of all literary news.
Sociability
The librarian enjoys human contact and knows how to be welcoming, outgoing and attentive to the expectations of his customers in order to retain them.
Accessible with a minimum Bac +3 level diploma, you must hold one of the following diplomas (or an equivalent):
- professional license in the book trade, library option
- professional license in the book industry: documentation and libraries
- professional master’s degree in information and library sciences, scientific and technical information
- professional master’s degree in information and library sciences, digital publishing
- Once admitted, candidates undergo professional training (12 to 18 months), the National School of Information and Library Sciences.