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Abstract: Decoding the Pathway to Academic Librarianship: A Study of U.S. Job Postings
Transitioning to a new library environment can be a difficult endeavor for even the most seasoned librarian. Librarians are universally trained to work in multiple settings during library school, however, there are some nuances to working in each library environment that may be unknown to someone new. The authors investigated the academic librarian job market through a quantitative analysis of job postings from two major higher education job platforms. They delve into job categories in demand, required skills, competencies, educational prerequisites for librarians, salary, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) trends in academic libraries. By examining the complexity of the academic librarian role, the authors seek to decode the pathway to academic librarianship by providing a deeper understanding of the profession for those seeking employment in this field.
The global pandemic and subsequent Great Resignation, where millions voluntarily left their jobs en masse, have deeply influenced conversations about job satisfaction and career mobility. The field of librarianship has not been immune from this phenomenon. Since the start of the pandemic, large numbers of librarians and library workers in the United States have left the field or transitioned to other library environments (Ewen, 2022). Considering these broader employment trends and the complex nature of academic library environments, it becomes clear why exploring career transitions in this field is necessary and timely.
The authors of this paper are former public librarians who transitioned to academic libraries. The transition was more complicated than they had expected. They wished they had known more about the need for new competencies and specializations, changes in work expectations, and professional development and service requirements beforehand.
With this study, the authors investigate the academic librarian profession through a quantitative analysis of job postings from two major higher education job platforms. They delve into job categories in demand, required skills, competencies, and educational prerequisites for librarians, salary, and DEI trends in academic libraries to provide a deeper understanding for those seeking employment in the field.
The global pandemic and subsequent Great Resignation, where millions voluntarily left their jobs en masse, have deeply influenced conversations about job satisfaction and career mobility. The field of librarianship has not been immune from this phenomenon. Since the start of the pandemic, large numbers of librarians and library workers in the United States have left the field or transitioned to other library environments (Ewen, 2022). Considering these broader employment trends and the complex nature of academic library environments, it becomes clear why exploring career transitions in this field is necessary and timely.
The authors of this paper are former public librarians who transitioned to academic libraries. The transition was more complicated than they had expected. They wished they had known more about the need for new competencies and specializations, changes in work expectations, and professional development and service requirements beforehand.
With this study, the authors investigate the academic librarian profession through a quantitative analysis of job postings from two major higher education job platforms. They delve into job categories in demand, required skills, competencies, and educational prerequisites for librarians, salary, and DEI trends in academic libraries to provide a deeper understanding for those seeking employment in the field.