Careers > College & University Libraries

College & University Libraries

Academic institutions provide many opportunities for a variety of careers. Reference librarians help students, staff and faculty with research. Subject specialists work with academic departments to help build collections and provide specialized research in specific subject fields. Technical services librarians handle purchasing and processing of materials, negotiating contracts and much more. Technology or systems librarians specialize in developing library computer systems and internet/web services.

Large institutions may have conservation positions or archives too.

Other possibilities may include teaching and online instruction or technology integration.

Positions in colleges and universities offer many benefits and in some cases retain their equality with other faculty.

• ACRLog -
  Official blog of the Association of College & Research Libraries. Covers issues related to academic librarianship.
• Becoming a Subject-Specialist Librarian
  by Brenna K. Helmstutler - a more extensive chapter is found in: New librarian, new job : practical advice for managing the transition Scarecrow Press, 2006.

Blogs

Many librarians are blogging about their careers. A few examples are listed here.

• Confessions of a Science Librarian
• ACRL Blog - Blogging by and for academic and research librarians
• The Shifted Librarian

Professional Associations

• Association of College & Research Libraries (American Library Association)
• Academic & Special Libraries Section (New York Library Association)

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