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Librarian - Personal requirements

Kaitiaki Pātaka Pukapuka

Skills & knowledge

Librarians need to have knowledge of:

different methods for organising and finding information
the range of printed and electronic material kept in a library
library software and subscription databases (a collection of journal articles, documents or images)
publishers, writers, reading trends and literature
information resources available in specialist subjects
the community, and range of people who use the library, and how they like to access information
international cataloguing rules and guidelines
how to protect library materials from damage.

Librarians also need to have:

research skills and the ability to use computerised information systems
good customer service skills
good communication and teaching skills
good general knowledge
understanding of the Treaty of Waitangi and bicultural issues
project-management and planning skills.

Leadership and management skills are also useful for librarians who manage teams.

Librarian helping customer at information desk

A librarian helping a customer find the biography section at a public library

Amelia Antonio putting a book onto a plastic display shelf

Amelia Antonio setting up a graphic novel display in the youth section to interest teenagers

Personal Qualities

Librarians need to be:

interested in information in all its formats and providing user access to these
good at listening and understanding customers' information requests
analytical and good at problem solving
friendly, helpful and patient when dealing with people
able to remain calm and polite under stress
accurate, quick, efficient and logical
able to work on their own or as part of a team.

"A key part of any role in librarianship is communication and being customer-focused. My customers at the university are academic staff, the students, and all other colleagues."

Paula Hasler - Collection Development Librarian

Physical Requirements

Librarians need to be reasonably fit and strong as they may have to lift heavy items or push trolleys of books. Librarians may spend long periods standing, or working at computers.

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Updated September 2009

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