How to Become a Research Librarian

Are you passionate about books, libraries, and critical thinking? Do you love to conduct research and learn about new subjects? If so, you may have a future as a research librarian! Research librarians specialize in conducting and organizing research, often specializing in a particular field, such as legal research or medical research. Here is an outline of the steps you need to take to become a research librarian.

Step 1: Earn Your Undergraduate Degree

To become a research librarian, the first step is to receive your undergraduate degree in an area such as history, political science, economics, or the social sciences. These types of degrees are a great foundation for a research librarian career, as they provide an understanding of the research process. Additionally, some potential employers may prefer that their research librarians have a degree in a library science program.

Step 2: Get a Master’s Degree

The next step to becoming a research librarian is to earn a master’s degree in library science or a related field, such as information science. Many programs, such as those offered at San Jose State University and the University of Denver, specialize in library and information sciences. Such a degree will give you a thorough understanding of the library system, including how to conduct research, find and organize the resources, and disseminate the information.

Step 3: Get Courses in Specialized Research

If you want to specialize as a research librarian, you may also want to take specifically focused courses in areas such as law, medicine, engineering, and other specialized fields. Doing so will deepen your understanding of the research librarianship field, and provide you with the skills needed to serve as an expert in your chosen field.

Step 4: Obtain Certification

You may also want to become certified in research librarianship. Certification programs, such as the credentialing program offered by the American Library Association, will provide a greater understanding of the library system, and will also demonstrate your commitment to research librarianship.

Step 5: Prepare for the Future

Finally, in preparation for the future of research librarianship, you may want to consider how artificial intelligence (AI) may change the job. Research is a key part of librarianship, and with the advances in artificial intelligence, it is likely that your job will involve more AI-assisted research and data analysis. It is important to understand how AI techniques can be used to help in your research tasks, and learn any software or tools that may be necessary for the position.

Conclusion

Becoming a research librarian requires dedication and the development of strong research skills. With a knowledge of library and information sciences, specialized training, certification, and the ability to utilize artificial intelligence tools, you can improve your career prospects and find your niche in research librarianship.