25-4022.00 - Librarians and Media Collections Specialists

25-4022.00 - Librarians and Media Collections Specialists
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists
25-4022.00
Updated 2026
The occupation code you requested, 25-4021.00 (Librarians), is no longer in use. In the future, please use 25-4022.00 (Librarians and Media Collections Specialists) instead.
Administer and maintain libraries or collections of information, for public or private access through reference or borrowing. Work in a variety of settings, such as educational institutions, museums, and corporations, and with various types of informational materials, such as books, periodicals, recordings, films, and databases. Tasks may include acquiring, cataloging, and circulating library materials, and user services such as locating and organizing information, providing instruction on how to access information, and setting up and operating a library's media equipment.
Sample of reported job titles:
Catalog Librarian, Instructional Technology Specialist, Librarian, Library Media Specialist, Media Specialist, Media Technician, Multimedia Services Coordinator, Reference and Instruction Librarian, Reference Librarian, Technical Services Librarian
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Occupation-Specific Information
Overview
Tasks
Technology Skills
Occupational Requirements
Work Activities
Detailed Work Activities
Work Context
Experience Requirements
Job Zone
Training & Credentials
Apprenticeship
Worker Requirements
Skills
Knowledge
Education
Worker Characteristics
Abilities
Interests
Work Styles
Workforce Characteristics
Wages & Employment
Job Openings
More Information
Related Occupations
Professional Associations
Occupation-Specific Information
Tasks
Check books in and out of the library.
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Teach library patrons basic computer skills, such as searching computerized databases.
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Review and evaluate materials, using book reviews, catalogs, faculty recommendations, and current holdings to select and order print, audio-visual, and electronic resources.
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Search standard reference materials, including online sources and the Internet, to answer patrons' reference questions.
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Keep up-to-date records of circulation and materials, maintain inventory, and correct cataloging errors.
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Analyze patrons' requests to determine needed information and assist in furnishing or locating that information.
Related occupations
Supervise daily library operations, budgeting, planning, and personnel activities, such as hiring, training, scheduling, and performance evaluations.
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Plan and teach classes on topics such as information literacy, library instruction, and technology use.
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Confer with colleagues, faculty, and community members and organizations to conduct informational programs, make collection decisions, and determine library services to offer.
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Code, classify, and catalog books, publications, films, audio-visual aids, and other library materials, based on subject matter or standard library classification systems.
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Respond to customer complaints, taking action as necessary.
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Plan and deliver client-centered programs and services, such as special services for corporate clients, storytelling for children, newsletters, or programs for special groups.
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Explain use of library facilities, resources, equipment, and services, and provide information about library policies.
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Locate unusual or unique information in response to specific requests.
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Troubleshoot problems with audio-visual equipment.
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Develop library policies and procedures.
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Evaluate materials to determine outdated or unused items to be discarded.
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Direct and train library staff in duties, such as receiving, shelving, researching, cataloging, and equipment use.
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Develop, maintain, and troubleshoot information access aids, such as databases, annotated bibliographies, Web pages, electronic pathfinders, software programs, and online tutorials.
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Engage in professional development activities, such as taking continuing education classes and attending or participating in conferences, workshops, professional meetings, and associations.
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Compile lists of books, periodicals, articles, and audio-visual materials on particular subjects.
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Confer with teachers to select course materials and to determine which training aids are best suited to particular grade levels.
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Evaluate vendor products and performance, negotiate contracts, and place orders.
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Arrange for interlibrary loans of materials not available in a particular library.
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Represent library or institution on internal and external committees.
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Set up, adjust, and operate audio-visual equipment, such as cameras, film and slide projectors, and recording equipment, for meetings, events, classes, seminars, and video conferences.
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Assemble and arrange display materials.
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Maintain inventory of audio-visual equipment.
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Maintain hardware and software, including computers, media equipment, scanners, color copiers, and color laser printers.
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Train faculty and media staff on the use of software and audio-visual equipment.
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Find occupations related to multiple tasks
Technology Skills
Analytical or scientific software
— Data visualization software; StataCorp Stata
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Computer aided design CAD software
— Autodesk AutoCAD
Hot Technology
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Computer based training software
— Learning management system LMS
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Data base user interface and query software
— Blackboard software; Database software; Microsoft Access
Hot Technology
; Structured query language SQL
Hot Technology
12 more
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Desktop publishing software
— Adobe InDesign
Hot Technology
; Microsoft Publisher; QuarkXPress
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Development environment software
— Standard generalized markup language SGML
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Document management software
— Adobe Acrobat
Hot Technology
; Microsoft SharePoint
Hot Technology
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Electronic mail software
— Email software; Microsoft Outlook
Hot Technology
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Enterprise application integration software
— Extensible markup language XML
Hot Technology
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Graphics or photo imaging software
— Adobe Creative Cloud software
Hot Technology
; Adobe Illustrator
Hot Technology
; Adobe Photoshop
Hot Technology
; Graphics software
1 more
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Information retrieval or search software
— Classification Web; LexisNexis; Thomson Reuters Westlaw Edge
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Internet browser software
— Web browser software
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Library software
— Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) databases; RCL Software Media Library Manager; Surpass management system software; WorldCat
13 more
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Object or component oriented development software
— Oracle Java
Hot Technology
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Office suite software
— Google Workspace software
Hot Technology
; Microsoft Office software
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Operating system software
— Microsoft Windows
Hot Technology
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Presentation software
— Microsoft PowerPoint
Hot Technology
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Process mapping and design software
— Microsoft Visio
Hot Technology
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Spreadsheet software
— Microsoft Excel
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Video conferencing software
— Zoom
Hot Technology
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Video creation and editing software
— Adobe After Effects
Hot Technology
; Adobe Premiere Pro; Apple Final Cut Pro; Apple iMovie
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Web page creation and editing software
— Adobe Dreamweaver; Blogging software; Facebook
Hot Technology
; Wiki software
2 more
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Web platform development software
— Cascading style sheets CSS
Hot Technology
; Hypertext markup language HTML
Hot Technology
; JavaScript
Hot Technology
; PHP
Hot Technology
3 more
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Word processing software
— Microsoft Word
Hot Technology
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Hot Technologies are requirements most frequently included across all employer job postings.
See all 26 Hot Technologies for this occupation.
In Demand skills are frequently included in employer job postings for this occupation.
See all 3 In Demand skills for this occupation.
Occupational Requirements
Work Activities
Working with Computers
— Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
— Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
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Getting Information
— Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
— Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
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Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
— Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
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Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
— Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
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Training and Teaching Others
— Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
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Making Decisions and Solving Problems
— Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
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Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
— Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
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Thinking Creatively
— Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
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Documenting/Recording Information
— Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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Processing Information
— Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
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Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
— Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
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Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
— Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
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Communicating with People Outside the Organization
— Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
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Developing Objectives and Strategies
— Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
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Analyzing Data or Information
— Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
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Monitoring and Controlling Resources
— Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
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Scheduling Work and Activities
— Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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Performing Administrative Activities
— Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
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Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
— Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
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Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
— Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
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Coaching and Developing Others
— Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
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Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
— Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
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Developing and Building Teams
— Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
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Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
— Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
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Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
— Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
— Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
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Detailed Work Activities
Teach others to use technology or equipment.
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Process library materials.
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Select educational materials or equipment.
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Search information sources to find specific data.
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Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
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Maintain operational records.
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Help patrons use library or archival resources.
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Direct department activities.
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Confer with others to conduct or arrange operational activities.
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Classify materials according to standard systems.
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Plan community programs or activities for the general public.
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Diagnose equipment malfunctions.
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Troubleshoot equipment or systems operation problems.
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Develop policies or procedures for archives, museums or libraries.
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Direct activities of subordinates.
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Inspect materials or equipment to determine need for repair or replacement.
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Train staff members.
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Develop library or archival databases.
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Order instructional or library materials or equipment.
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Attend training sessions or professional meetings to develop or maintain professional knowledge.
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Collaborate with other teaching professionals to develop educational programs.
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Compile specialized bibliographies or lists of materials.
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Negotiate purchases or contracts.
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Inventory materials or equipment.
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Maintain inventory records.
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Maintain the inventory of equipment.
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Serve on institutional or departmental committees.
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Operate audiovisual equipment.
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Construct exhibits or parts of exhibits.
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Maintain computer equipment or software.
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Find occupations related to multiple detailed work activities
Work Context
E-Mail
— 92% responded “Every day.”
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Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
— 86% responded “Every day.”
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Telephone Conversations
— 71% responded “Every day.”
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Contact With Others
— 63% responded “Constant contact with others.”
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Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
— 54% responded “A lot of freedom.”
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Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
— 55% responded “Extremely important.”
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Freedom to Make Decisions
— 50% responded “Some freedom.”
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Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
— 80% responded “Every day.”
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Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
— 50% responded “Extremely important.”
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Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
— 35% responded “Very important.”
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Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities
— 34% responded “Very important.”
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Written Letters and Memos
— 39% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
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Time Pressure
— 41% responded “Once a month or more but not every week.”
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Frequency of Decision Making
— 41% responded “Every day.”
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Public Speaking
— 30% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
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Spend Time Sitting
— 33% responded “More than half the time.”
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Physical Proximity
— 37% responded “I work with others but not closely (e.g., private office).”
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Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
— 32% responded “Important results.”
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Conflict Situations
— 25% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
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Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People
— 41% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
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Duration of Typical Work Week
— 59% responded “40 hours.”
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Experience Requirements
Job Zone
Title
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Education
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Related Experience
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Job Training
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Job Zone Examples
These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, physician assistants, and veterinarians.
SVP
Range
(8.0 and above)
Training & Credentials
State training
Local training
Certifications
Find certifications nationwide
State licenses
Apprenticeship Opportunities
Start your career and build your skillset. Visit
Apprenticeship.gov
external site
to learn about opportunities related to this occupation.
Worker Requirements
Skills
Active Listening
— Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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Reading Comprehension
— Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
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Speaking
— Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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Critical Thinking
— Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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Writing
— Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
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Monitoring
— Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
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Service Orientation
— Actively looking for ways to help people.
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Active Learning
— Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
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Social Perceptiveness
— Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
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Instructing
— Teaching others how to do something.
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Judgment and Decision Making
— Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
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Time Management
— Managing one's own time and the time of others.
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Complex Problem Solving
— Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
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Knowledge
Customer and Personal Service
— Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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English Language
— Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
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Computers and Electronics
— Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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Education and Training
— Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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Administrative
— Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
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Communications and Media
— Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
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Administration and Management
— Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
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Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
65%
responded:
Master’s degree required
10%
responded:
Some college, no degree required
more info
8%
responded:
Bachelor’s degree required
Worker Characteristics
Abilities
Oral Expression
— The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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Oral Comprehension
— The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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Written Comprehension
— The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
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Written Expression
— The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
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Information Ordering
— The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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Near Vision
— The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
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Category Flexibility
— The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
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Speech Clarity
— The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
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Speech Recognition
— The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
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Deductive Reasoning
— The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
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Inductive Reasoning
— The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
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Fluency of Ideas
— The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
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Problem Sensitivity
— The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
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Selective Attention
— The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
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Interests
Interest code:
CSI
Want to discover your interests? Take the
O*NET Interest Profiler
Conventional
— Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
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Social
— Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
Related occupations
Investigative
— Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.
Related occupations
Work Styles
Cooperation
— A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
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Intellectual Curiosity
— A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep understanding of work-related subjects.
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Attention to Detail
— A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
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Workforce Characteristics
Wages & Employment Trends
Median wages
(2024)
$30.92 hourly, $64,320 annual
State wages
Local wages
Employment
(2024)
142,100 employees
Projected growth
(2024-2034)
Slower than average (1% to 2%)
Projected job openings
(2024-2034)
13,500
State trends
Top industries
(2024)
Educational Services
Government
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
2024 wage data
external site
and
2024-2034 employment projections
external site
“Projected growth” represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2024-2034). “Projected job openings” represent openings due to growth and replacement.
Job Openings on the Web
State job openings
Local job openings
More Information
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15-1299.03
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Bright Outlook
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43-4121.00
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Bright Outlook
Professional Associations
Disclaimer:
Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries.
Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.
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National Associations
American Association of Law Libraries
external site
American Association of School Librarians
external site
American Library Association
external site
Association for Educational Communications and Technology
external site
Association for Information Science and Technology
external site
Association for Library and Information Science Education
external site
Association for Library Collections and Technical Services
external site
Association for Library Service to Children
external site
Association of College and Research Libraries
external site
Association of Independent Information Professionals
external site
Association of Jewish Libraries
external site
Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association
external site
Educational Technology Collaborative
external site
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions
external site
International Society for Technology in Education
external site
Library and Information Technology Association
external site
Medical Library Association
external site
Music Library Association
external site
NASIG
external site
National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators
external site
Public Library Association
external site
Reforma
external site
Society for Applied Learning Technology
external site
Society of American Archivists
external site
Special Libraries Association
external site
The Black Caucus of the American Library Association
external site
Visual Resources Association
external site
Regional Associations
Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference
external site
Midwest Archives Conference
external site
Mountain Plains Library Association
external site
Pacific Northwest Library Association
external site
Southeastern Library Association
external site
Southwestern Association of Law Libraries
external site
Western Association of Map Libraries
external site
Accreditation, Certification, & Unions
Society of Broadcast Engineers
external site
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25-4022.00 - Librarians and Media Collections Specialists
by
U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration
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