3 answers
Voc
Student
Landrum, South Carolina
42
Questions
Asked
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How do I help people find what they are looking for? How do you organize books? What classes should I take?
#books #library
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3 answers
Sarah Williams
Electrical Engineer
52
Answers
Jacksonville, Florida
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
Many libraries, including school libraries, have volunteer opportunities. When I was in high school, I got almost all my service hours for scholarship applications by volunteering at my local elementary school library. It was a blast. I learned a lot about how books are organized, what books are popular, and how to make recommendations based on genre and other criteria. I became an electrical engineer, and I still think about concepts I learned at the library: customer service, organization, visual appeal, etc. I highly recommend you look into this too!
Suzanne Sorkin
Retired family physician and medical educator
115
Answers
Traverse City, Michigan
Updated
Suzanne’s Answer
Hi Voc! I think you are asking about becoming a librarian. Most libraries want their librarians to have a Master's in Library Science (MLS). Some schools will hire school librarians without an MLS but will want them to be certified by the state as teachers or as school librarians.
One thing you might do now while you're still in high school is to see if you can either work or volunteer in a library near you. Often high school students are hired as "pages" who help to reshelf returned books or direct library patrons to the shelf they are looking for to find the kind of books they want. While you are working or volunteering you could see what the librarians do and ask them about their work.
Another possible job you might be able to get while in high school would be in a local book shop. People in book shops often really love books and are eager to share their knowledge with others. Working in a book shop does not require a specific degree but being an avid reader and a curious person seem important attributes to have.
Check out this website from the American Library Association: https://www.ala.org/educationcareers/libcareers/become
Find out what options exist for you to volunteer or work at local libraries or book shops.
One thing you might do now while you're still in high school is to see if you can either work or volunteer in a library near you. Often high school students are hired as "pages" who help to reshelf returned books or direct library patrons to the shelf they are looking for to find the kind of books they want. While you are working or volunteering you could see what the librarians do and ask them about their work.
Another possible job you might be able to get while in high school would be in a local book shop. People in book shops often really love books and are eager to share their knowledge with others. Working in a book shop does not require a specific degree but being an avid reader and a curious person seem important attributes to have.
Suzanne recommends the following next steps:
Paweł Czajkowski
Engineer
2
Answers
Łódź, Łódź Voivodeship, Poland
Updated
Paweł’s Answer
Hi Voc,
You might try to organize books by genre, sort them alphabetically, or try any other means of sorting like color, weight, etc. Option to become a librarian include k-12 school librarian, public librarian, law librarian, university librarian, digital librarian and branch management. Knowing this in advance can help determine what undergraduate degree and/or master’s degree to pursue further down the line. A Master’s in Library and Information Science (MLIS), also known as MLS, is a popular choice for aspiring librarians. Hope you will achieve this goal.
Regards
You might try to organize books by genre, sort them alphabetically, or try any other means of sorting like color, weight, etc. Option to become a librarian include k-12 school librarian, public librarian, law librarian, university librarian, digital librarian and branch management. Knowing this in advance can help determine what undergraduate degree and/or master’s degree to pursue further down the line. A Master’s in Library and Information Science (MLIS), also known as MLS, is a popular choice for aspiring librarians. Hope you will achieve this goal.
Regards