Your guide to become an Librarian in Malaysia

Average Salary
2,000 - 2,500

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Who is an Librarian

A Librarian is a trained professional in charge of ensuring all information materials in the library are managed in a systematic order and advice others on suitable databases to search from.

Unfortunately, not many people dream to be a librarian. Not many people even go to a library these days! With entertainment being so easily available today, people have abandoned their love for reading. Contrary to that, Librarians are one of those important people during our years in school and university. They helped us find the exact information we need in the library that eventually contributed to our excellent results. Librarians help people navigate through the dizzying collection of books, newspaper clippings, journals, microfiche and other library collections. They can be found working in public, academic and medical libraries and their responsibilities typically include preparing library budgets, arrange library materials, planning programmes for different library users, researching new books and materials, and conduct classes on information resources.

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The pros and cons of being an Librarian

Pros

Help people find documents and other materials
Able to learn new softwares to make cataloguing easier
One of the most stable jobs in the world

Cons

Increased use of electronic resources will limit the need for Librarians
Job requires you to have at least a Bachelor’s Degree in the field of library
Librarians are prone to eye strains and headaches

What are all the responsibilities of an Librarian ?

Be aware of new book releases
Arrange reading materials in an accessible manner
Manage stocks in the library
Promote the library
Install IT equipment to increase library usability
Answer enquiries from users
Organise events to encourage reading

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What skills do you need to become an Librarian?

Good organisational skills

Thousands of books just shipped in. People are calling you to ask if they can borrow it today while other people are waiting at the counter who need guidance to search for an old book. What do you do? You can’t yell at everyone to stop. This is where your organisational skills will come in handy. If someone asks you where Twilight is, you know exactly where it’s placed, its serial number and if it’s even there in the first place!

Knowledgeable

Librarians must have an in-depth knowledge on how to use databases and electronic devices to access journals and ebooks, including obtaining relevant information from traditional materials and other resources. Knowledge on these kind of technology and other information services should come at your fingertips as you will be guiding others to use them in the library as well.

Good communication skills

Whether you’re a Librarian in a school or a public library, you’ll need to have good communication skills to promote the library’s resources and services, carry out information resource development programmes, do social networking and outreach activities in schools. As such, you will have to deal with different kinds of people so having the gift of the gab will be a plus point.

What field(s) of study should you choose to become an Librarian?

Information System
Library Management
Information Science

What are the requirements to be an Librarian?

To be a grade S41 Librarian under the Public Services Commission, students must have at least a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Studies majoring in Library Management and Information or Management of Information Resource Centre or any course relevant to the field of library. Applicants must not be less than 18 years old.

What are the working hours of an Librarian

A Librarian’s working hours are the same as the typical time a library is open, that is from 10am till 7pm. You might have to work earlier or later than that to oversee the stocks that come in, prepare and clean it up after closing hours.

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