Skills in the market: an analysis of skills and qualifications for American librarians

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to create a profile of the modern American academic librarian through the content analysis method of job advertisements. Design/methodology/approach – One hundred thirty-four advertisements were analyzed in various ways, e.g. salary, skills, qualifications, duties, followed by a multivariate analysis. Findings – Most significant findings include the importance of communication skills for all academic librarians, the significance of the Library and Information Science (LIS) degree and that applicants should expect a salary of $40,000-60,000. Originality/value – This paper builds on the previous studies in the field to verify that communication skills are among the most, if not the most, desired skills for a modern librarian, and that an LIS degree is still an asset.

Librarian, Faculty, and Student Perceptions of Academic Librarians: Study Introduction and Literature Review

“…One place that academic librarians express their opinions about the critical expertise and skill for their work is in job advertisements (Table 3). While the MLS is still usually considered essential (Gerolimos, Malliari, & Iakovidis, 2015), it is less frequently required than it was in the past (Grimes & Grimes, 2008). Some core skills have appeared consistently over time: communication skills, technology skills, library science skills, flexibility, and the ability to work independently (Gerolimos, Malliari, & Iakovidis, 2015;Goetsch, 2008).…”

“…While the MLS is still usually considered essential (Gerolimos, Malliari, & Iakovidis, 2015), it is less frequently required than it was in the past (Grimes & Grimes, 2008). Some core skills have appeared consistently over time: communication skills, technology skills, library science skills, flexibility, and the ability to work independently (Gerolimos, Malliari, & Iakovidis, 2015;Goetsch, 2008). Specific skills and domains such as licensing work, open access support, systems integration skills, social media skills, and scholarly communication knowledge are becoming more common (Goetsch, 2008).…”

“…No potential conflicts of interest reported by the authors. Goetsch (2008) Comparison of academic librarian job ads from 1995, 2000, and 2005 regarding library skills, especially those not learned through library and information science (LIS) education and training Grimes & Grimes (2008) Content analysis of more than 4,000 academic librarian job ads from 1975 to 2005 concerning the MLS degree Gerolimos, Malliari, & Iakovidis (2015) Content analysis of 133 academic librarian job advertisements concerning the MLIS degree…”

Shifting expectations: Revisiting core concepts of academic librarianship in undergraduate classes with a digital humanities focus

“…Scholarship in the latter area considers not only the measureable skills discussed in earlier literature, such as bibliographic knowledge, but also characteristics and traits that facilitate knowledge transfer to library users (Gerolimos, Malliari, and Iakovidis 2015;Bakkalbasi, Jaggars, and Rockenbach 2015;Kenney 2015). Accordingly, proficiencies in the more commonly referenced "hard" areas of librarianship often correspond with the "softer" skills now being identified by researchers.…”

Serving on the reference desk as a web services/user experience librarian

“…Goetsch defines this phenomenon as the new renaissance librarian model, in which a single position "brings together the skill sets of a subject librarian, an archivist or records manager, a reference and instruction librarian, and a systems or information technology librarian" (Goetsch, 2008, p. 169). Additional research shows that this renaissance librarian trend is gaining prominence: more technology skills are required in other, traditionally "non-technical" areas of librarianship as well (Gerolimos, Malliari, & Iakovidis, 2015;Riley-Huff & Rholes, 2011;Triumph & Beile, 2015). In this context, a web services/user experience librarian staffing the reference desk is just another part of a larger trend in librarianship.…”