Page 54 - DLIS006_INFORMATION SOURCES AND SERVICES

Unit 3: Reference Librarian

Increasingly, librarians apply their information management and research skills to arenas outside Notes
of libraries—for example, database development, reference tool development, information
systems, publishing, Internet coordination, marketing, and training of database users.

Notes Entrepreneurial librarians sometimes start their own consulting practices, acting as
free-lance librarians or information brokers and providing services to other libraries,
businesses, or government agencies.

Caselet Workplaces for Librarians – Public, Academic, School
and Special Library

asic categories of workplace settings for librarians are routinely classified around
the world as: public, academic, school, and special. Some librarians will start and
Boperate their own business. They often call themselves information brokers, research
specialists, knowledge management, competitive intelligence or independent information
professionals. The Public Library is the local centre of information, making all kinds of
knowledge and information readily available to its users. The services of the public library
are provided on the basis of equality of access for all, regardless of age, race, sex, religion,
nationality, language or social status. Academic library is a library that is an integral part
of a college, university, or other institution of postsecondary education, administered to
meet the information and research needs of its students, faculty, and staff. The primary
purpose is to support the students, teachers, and curriculum of the school or school district.
In addition to library administration, certificated teacher-librarians instruct individual
students, groups and classes, and faculty in effective research methods, often referred to as
information literacy skills. News, law, medical, government, nongovernmental
organization, prison, corporate, museum or any other type of library owned and operated
by an organization are considered as special library. They can be highly specialized,
serving a discrete user group with a restricted collection area. In an increasingly global
and virtual workplace, many special librarians may not even work in a library at all but
instead manage and facilitate the use of electronic collections. Librarians in some types of
special libraries may be required to have additional training, such as a law degree for a
librarian in an academic law library or appropriate subject degrees for subject specialties
such as chemistry, engineering, etc.
Source: librarians.askdefine.com/

3.5 Working Conditions of Reference Librarian

Librarians spend a significant portion of time at their desks or in front of computer terminals;
extended work at video display terminals can cause eyestrain and headaches. Assisting users in
obtaining information for their jobs, recreational purposes, and other uses can be challenging
and satisfying; at the same time, working with users under deadlines can be demanding and
stressful. More than 2 out of 10 librarians work part time. Public and college librarians often
work weekends and evenings, and have to work some holidays. School librarians usually have
the same workday schedule as classroom teachers and similar vacation schedules. Special
librarians usually work normal business hours, but in fast-paced industries, such as advertising
or legal services, they can work longer hours during peak times.

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 49