Who is a librarian and what do they do? The job of a librarian is to provide services and run an information system in public libraries and information centres.
What are the activities of the librarian? His/her activities are as follows – he/she finds out what readers are interested in, selects books, journals and other publications for the library – purchases publications, establishes contacts with publishing houses – keeps catalogues of publications of the library – creates documentary records on particular publications or articles, with a computer, establishes the library information system – provides advisory services on the basis of a reader’s requirement or a problem (not always clearly voiced) – provides lending services – carries out professional bibliographical and literature searches – keeps technical libraries specialising in certain technical books.
Where is it done and under what conditions? In libraries and information centres; sometimes you will find that some parts of the library are harder to access – e.g. high shelves etc.
What tools/equipment do they use? The tools most used are computers, catalogues, photocopying machines, spoken words.
What do you need to succeed? You need to have completed secondary education with a school-leaving certificate, have the ability to work systematically, an agile mind, ability to learn, a good memory, cultivated appearance and manners, and the ability to deal with people. In certain cases university-level qualifications – specialising in librarianship or information science – may be required.