London Librarian Jobs
Modern librarians in London work in a range of environments, from major law firms to public museums, though all share a love of information and, usually, a strong academic track record and common pers
Modern librarians in London work in a range of environments, from major law firms to public museums, though all share a love of information and, usually, a strong academic track record and common personal attributes.
Far from simply filling shelves with books, the work requires database management, archiving, information retrieval and, occasionally, interaction with the public or with a range of professionals, including lawyers, doctors and IT specialists.
Professional and Academic Requirements
While simple shelf-filling library jobs may only require a few GCSEs and an enthusiasm for the role, genuine librarians have to have recognised qualifications in order to land a top job, and certainly so as to progress within the profession.
The quickest way to make it onto the librarianship career ladder is to undertake a degree in Library Studies or Librarianship, with these qualifications offered by a number of British universities and not just London-based institutions.
Alternatively, and this the path a significant proportion of librarians take, it's also possible to do a degree in another subject before going into the field via a post-graduate diploma or degree in Librarianship, with these again offered by a range of institutions, as well as by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP), though often some experience or at least evidence of enthusiasm for the field will be needed to get onto a course.
At the same time, due to the changing nature of the work, many employers are also adjusting their recruitment criteria and increasingly keen to hear from candidates with IT-related qualifications, such as database management or software engineering.
Additionally, specialist subject knowledge, for example in science or law, could be called for in some roles.
After several years in the field, it's possible to become a chartered librarian with CILIP, with this potentially boosting salary and standing.
Personal Attributes
Simply being quiet and diligent is not enough to succeed in the field of librarianship.
Among the personal skills employers will undoubtedly look for are the ability to think methodically, to learn how to use IT equipment, to work as part of a team and to have a keen sense of initiative and a strong eye for detail.
Potential Rewards
Once qualified, librarians in London can expect to earn upwards of £28,000, with several subject librarian positions being advertised by universities in the capital in December 2010 offering pay of £34,000 or more.
As with most lines of work, time and experience brings further rewards, with librarians able to move into specific fields or step up into management roles in the public and private sectors.
Possible Drawbacks
Librarians may be unable to work standard nine-to-five patterns as many libraries are open in the evenings, at weekends or, in the case of university institutions, 24-hours-a-day.
Other drawbacks include the fact that library services often bear the brunt of budgetary cuts in both the public and private sectors, while the nature of the work makes working from home unlikely.
Biggest Employers
All of London's borough councils employ librarians, as do the city's numerous universities and, of course, the British Library.
Alternatively, many librarians find work in a range of other sectors, with jobs available wherever information needs storing.
For example, most major law firms and companies are likely to hire librarians or archivists and there are also likely to be openings in museums of all sizes.
