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Public Libraries
New York Public Library, Chicago Public Library, Los Angeles Public Library
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists
This job blends research help, collection management, and public service. Librarians and media collections specialists answer hard-to-find questions, choose what materials a library or media archive should buy, and keep collections organized and usable. The tradeoff is that the work is steady and meaningful, but it usually requires a master's degree and the pay and job growth are only moderate.
Also known as Reference LibrarianCollections LibrarianDigital Collections LibrarianCataloging LibrarianPublic Services Librarian
Median Salary
$64,320
Mean $69,180
U.S. Workforce
~132K
13.5K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+1.7%
142.1K to 144.5K
Entry Education
Master's degree
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists sits in the Education category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~132K workers, with a median annual pay of $64,320 and roughly 13.5K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 142.1 K in 2024 to 144.5K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Master's Degree in Library and Information Science, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Library Assistant and can progress toward Library Services Director. High-value skills usually include Research Databases & Reference Search Tools, Integrated Library Systems (Alma, Koha & WorldShare), and MARC 21, RDA & Cataloging Standards, paired with soft skills such as Active listening, Reading comprehension, and Speaking.
Core Responsibilities
- Check materials in and out, manage holds, and help people solve basic account problems.
- Search library catalogs, databases, and reference sources to find specific books, articles, or media items.
- Create subject lists, reading guides, and recommendations for classes, patrons, or special topics.
- Set up displays and featured collections to highlight new books, films, or other materials.
Keep exploring: more Education careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Check materials in and out, manage holds, and help people solve basic account problems.
02 Search library catalogs, databases, and reference sources to find specific books, articles, or media items.
03 Create subject lists, reading guides, and recommendations for classes, patrons, or special topics.
04 Set up displays and featured collections to highlight new books, films, or other materials.
05 Work with teachers, faculty, coworkers, and community partners to plan programs and decide what the library should offer.
06 Review the collection, remove outdated or unused items, and order new materials from vendors.
Industries That Hire
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Higher Education
Harvard University, University of Michigan, Stanford University
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Museums & Archives
Smithsonian Institution, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Getty
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Publishing & Media
Penguin Random House, Scholastic, Disney
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Corporate Knowledge Management
Google, Microsoft, IBM
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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The pay is decent for a public-service role, with a mean annual wage of $69,180 and a median of $64,320.
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You do not need prior work experience or on-the-job training beyond the degree, so the path is straightforward once you finish school.
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There are about 13.5K annual openings, so people do keep getting hired even though most openings are replacements.
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The work is varied: one day may involve research help, another collection decisions, and another planning programs or displays.
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The skills transfer across public libraries, universities, museums, and corporate information teams, so you are not locked into one setting.
Challenges
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The usual entry requirement is a master's degree, which means extra tuition, time, and often student debt before you can qualify.
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Job growth is only 1.7% from 2024 to 2034, so the field is not expanding fast and competition can stay tight.
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Pay often does not rise quickly enough to match the education level, especially in smaller libraries or nonprofits.
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Many jobs depend on public, school, or institutional budgets, so hiring freezes and budget cuts can hit this work hard.
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Self-checkout systems, digital databases, and automated cataloging reduce some traditional desk tasks and can limit how far the role grows without moving into management or specialization.
Career Progression
Library Assistant
0-2 years
$32K-$39K
Supports circulation, shelving, basic patron help, and day-to-day desk work while learning library systems and procedures.
Library Technician
3-5 years
$40K-$52K
Handles more of the records work, collection support, and routine service tasks, often with less supervision.
Librarian and Media Collections Specialist THIS ROLE
6-9 years
$55K-$78K
Manages reference questions, collection decisions, programs, and specialized media or archival materials.
Senior Librarian / Collections Manager
10-14 years
$79K-$96K
Leads staff, shapes budgets, oversees a subject area or collection, and handles higher-stakes service decisions.
Library Services Director
15+ years
$97K-$125K
Sets policy, manages larger teams and budgets, and plans the long-term direction of the library or collections program.
Education Paths
Master's Degree in Library and Information Science
The standard entry route, held by 64.65% of workers in this role.
Bachelor's Degree Plus Library Experience or Later MLIS
A smaller share of workers, 8.19%, report a bachelor's degree as their highest level, and many people in this route add a master's later.
Post-Master's Certificate or Specialized Certificate
Specialized credentials can help with archives, school libraries, or digital curation, and 4.67% of workers report a post-master's certificate.
Some College Coursework Plus Library Assistant Experience
This is a nontraditional path for support roles rather than full professional librarian work, and 10.22% of workers report some college courses.
Key Skills
Technical
Research Databases & Reference Search Tools 78%
Integrated Library Systems (Alma, Koha & WorldShare) 76%
MARC 21, RDA & Cataloging Standards 74%
Digital Collections & Archiving Software (CONTENTdm, Preservica) 72%
Collection Development & Vendor Management (GOBI, Ingram & Amazon Business) 66%
Excel, Google Sheets & Library Reporting 60%
Soft Skills
Active listeningReading comprehensionSpeakingCritical thinkingWritingService orientation Job Outlook and Trends
+1.7%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
13.5K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 142.1K to 144.5 K over the next decade, representing 1.7% growth. Around 13.5 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Limited. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.