136-Librarians and related information professionals

Job Title: 

Librarians and related information professionals

Job Description: 

Design, develop and manage collections of recorded material and help users find information.

Summary: 

Librarians and related information professionals collect, select, develop, organize and maintain library collections and other information repositories, organize and control other library services and provide information for users. Involves supervision or performance of work that requires primarily a full professional knowledge of the theories, objectives, principles, and techniques of librarianship, to select, organize, preserve, access, and disseminate information. Collections can include books, magazines, computer games and software, photographs, journals, maps, microfilms, multimedia information media, CDs, e-books and other digital information.

Tasks: 

organizing, developing and maintaining a systematic collection of books, periodicals and other printed, audio-visually and digitally recorded material

  • selecting and recommending acquisitions of books and other printed or audio-visually and digitally recorded material
  • organizing, classifying and cataloguing library material
  • managing library borrowing and inter-library loan facilities and information networks
  • retrieving material and providing information to business and other users based on the collection itself or on library and information-network systems
  • conducting research and analyzing or modifying library and information services in accordance with changes in users? needs
  • devising and implementing schemes and conceptual models for the storage, organization, classification and retrieval of information
  • preparing scholarly papers and reports
  • performing manual, on-line and interactive media reference searches, making interlibrary loans and performing other functions to assist users in accessing library materials
    • Knowledge: 

    Knowledge of standard methods, techniques, concepts, and principles of one or more specialty areas of librarianship is required to perform independently assignments in locating, classifying, selecting, controlling, or preserving information

  • Assignments can be successfully performed without significant deviation from established methods and precedents. Assignments usually involve providing professional library services to meet a clientele?s non-specialized needs, such as general reading, viewing videotaped movies or instructional videos, and/or listening to music, literature or instructional material on audio cassette; or they may consist of limited segments of more complex assignments regarding specialized information needs. Assignments at this level are generally characterized by such features as:
  • services and products (e.g., bibliographies, cataloguing records) are nontechnical in nature or of limited technical complexity, and seldom require going beyond easily-accessed sources of information
  • information is obtained, organized, and maintained using standard reference tools and established techniques and practices, such as an overall classification system (e.g. Library of Congress, Dewey Decimal) and cataloguing rules with prescribed local modifications, customary reference interviewing techniques, standard search strategies, commonly used bibliographic information sources and professional journals in the library field, or accepted practices for maintaining the quality of contemporary print materials
  • participation in formulating plans for collection development, changes in physical facilities, or improved automation services is limited to developing factual data, such as usage statistics for certain journals or books, frequently asked reference questions, or descriptions of problems with particular software
  • Strong computer and quantitative skills and be able to perform complex research
  • Patience and persistence are necessary qualities, given that economists must spend long hours on independent study and problem solving
  • Good communication skills
    • Work Context: 

    Usually work regular business hours, but may work in the evenings and weekends or do shift work, in libraries, offices and information centres. They may travel locally and nationally to community meetings, library conferences and seminars, and sometimes internationally.

    Education: 

    Advanced or Higher diploma in library/information services or related field of work/ discipline, higher qualification or equivalent.

    Required Work Experience: 

    4 years and above.

    Probable Employers: 

    National Centre for Documentation and Research, Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Centre, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTC), Petroleum Institute, UAE University, University of Sharjah, Zayed University, Higher Colleges of Technology, Library of UAE Central Bank, Al-Wasl Hospital Medical Library, Dubai Public Library & branches, Library of Dubai pharmacy Collage & Dubai Medical Collage, Institute Administration Development Library, Dubai Police Academy Library, Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry Library, Dubai Courts Department Library, Al-Ruwaq Public Library

    Occupational Size: 
    Less than 5,000
    Expected Earnings: 

    Higher than the industry average

    Projected Growth: 
    Excellent
    Alternate Titles: 

    Examples of job titles:
    Bibliographer - Cataloguer - Librarian
    Examples of some related occupations:
    Archivist - Historian - Curator - Conservator - Health information manager - Library assistant - Library technician - Records manager - Records officer - Library Assistant

    UAE Industry Groups: 
    Arts, entertainment, multimedia and ITC applications
    International Careers(ISCO): 
    Similar O*NET Careers (USA) : 
    Source Of Info: 
    Occupations and Careers Handbook for UAE Nationals(Copyright NQA ). Referenced from New York University, Abu Dhabhi