Becoming a Librarian Without a Degree

Are you passionate about helping people to access and use information, but don’t necessarily have the formal qualifications to become a librarian with a degree? There is still hope to become a librarian without a degree, as it is possible to get into the field in other ways.

In this article, we will discuss the different ways one can become a librarian without a degree, the skills you’ll need to succeed, and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the future of the librarian profession.

What Are the Different Paths to Becoming a Librarian Without a Degree?

The majority of librarian positions will usually require a college degree in library science or equivalent. However, there are still ways to break into the library science profession without a degree.

The traditional route to becoming a librarian is to earn a master’s degree in library science. However, not everyone has the time or resources to pursue this type of advanced degree. Fortunately, there are other paths that one can take to achieve the same goal and become a librarian without a degree.

One way to become a librarian without a degree is to work as a library technician. A library technician is a support staff member who assists librarians in carrying out library duties day-to-day, such as organizing and cataloging books, helping patrons find materials, and managing library databases. In this position, you would acquire important library skills, learn the workings of a larger library, and gain relevant experience to become a librarian.

Another path to becoming a librarian without a degree is to gain experience through volunteer work or internships, and look for library positions that do not require a formal library degree. These may include positions related to archiving, managing library resources, and other administrative work that support librarians.

Skills Needed to Succeed as a Librarian Without a Degree

In order to succeed in an entry-level librarian position without a degree, certain skills and qualities are key to making you an excellent candidate. Here are some skills that will help you to be successful:

Organization: You must be able to keep a neat and organized workspace, as well as the ability to efficiently manage and work with library resources.
Ability to Learn Quickly: You must be able to quickly learn and apply new library technologies, databases, and other library tasks.
Excellent Customer Service: You must be able to use tact and diplomacy to interact with patrons, answer their questions, and guide them in finding the information and resources they need.
Computer Skills: You must be comfortable using computers to perform tasks, such as updating library databases and catalogs.
Knowledge of Library Procedures: You must understand how a library functions and the procedures for keeping it organized and efficient.

Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Librarian Profession

The librarian profession is no longer just about managing physical collections. It is a rapidly changing field that takes advantage of emerging technologies such as AI. The popularity of AI is increasing in public and academic libraries, and it will have a direct impact on the way librarians work. AI tools can be used to enhance library search capabilities, improve collection management and curation, and enable more data-driven decision making.

AI can also help librarians save time by automating tasks such as sorting and cataloging books, recommending reading materials, and helping patrons find information quickly and easily. With these new capabilities, librarians must learn how to use AI tools and use them strategically to their advantage to perform their duties more efficiently and effectively.

Conclusion

Although most librarian positions require a college degree in library science, it is possible to break into this field without a degree. By working as a technician, taking advantage of volunteer or internship opportunities, and acquiring the necessary skills to succeed, one can become a librarian without a degree. Moreover, the growing field of AI offers exciting new opportunities for librarians to take advantage of emerging technologies to better serve patrons and make libraries more efficient.